Class #3

        UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
    THROUGH UNDERSTANDING THE
         CUSTOMS AND CULTURE OF
                       BIBLE TIMES

                                         Class #3

                    "Diet, Manners and Hospitality"

                                      By Don LaRose
                           Copyright (c) 2011
                                                       All rights reserved

        What people ate during Bible times plays a big part in understanding certain portions of Scripture. And interestingly enough, there was little change in the diet from the Old into New Testament times. We will look at six different areas, although we will dwell on about three of them.

THE DIET OF BIBLE LANDS IN BIBLE TIMES

          First we will look at the eating of raw and parched grains. This is still, today, a part of the diet among many of the Arabs of the land. In Leviticus God ordered that "Ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God" (Leviticus 23:14). From this Old Tesament reference to "parched grain," we go to the New Testament for a look at raw grain. Talking about Jesus' disciples, it says, "His disciples plucked the ears of corn and did eat, rubbing them in their hand" (Luke 6:1).

          In these passages it speaks of "green ears" and "ears of corn." Corn, as we know it, was virtually non-existent in Israel. A high school friend of mind has reminded me that there was corn (maise) in Egypt as early as 1450 years BC; enough so that it was even exported to other parts of the world. Note that the Israelites left Egypt more tha 500 years before that.  Corn did not become a huge(note the term "huge" as opposed to "minor") worldwide source of grain until after it was found among the American Indians and taken back to Europe. In the Bible when it speaks of "ears of corn" or "a corn of wheat" it is speaking of grains, primarily wheat and barley; and that is the way it is translated in a number of versions: "a head of wheat" or "grain of wheat."

          It was not wrong for Jesus' disciples to pick the grains as they walked along the path. Part of the oriental culture was to plant grain along the path for passersby to eat. They could not leave the path, but if it could be reached from the path they could take as much as they could eat while still in front of that property. So Jesus' disciples were picking the grain. It was right for them to pick and eat. The problem the religious leaders had was that it was the Sabbath. They considered that a violation of the Sabbath Law, because the disciples were working, according to their rules.

          As to the parched grain: this was grain that was picked before it was fully ripe, then roasted in a pan or iron plate, and usually eaten by itself, or with bread. This is some of what Jesse sent with David when he went to the front lines to take supplies to his brothers who were in Saul's army, and found the giant Goliath calling for someone to come out and fight him (I Samuel 17:17). This is what Abigail included in her present to David as he was fleeing from King Saul (I Samuel 25:18). This is part of the supplies that were given to David by his friends when he was fleeing from his son Absolom (II Samuel 16).

          Grain, both raw and parched, was a part of the diet of the people who lived in Bible days. Bread was also one of the principal foods. In fact, it has been said that three-fourths of the people of Bible times lived on little other than bread. Bread was so much a part of their daily life that the term "bread" became synonymous with eating a meal. That terminology is noted numbers of times throughout the Bble. The first time we note it is in Genesis 43, where Joseph's brothers have come to Egypt for food, it indicates that the Egyptians would not "eat bread" with the sons of Israel, because they were considered "detestable" by the Egyptians. Anti-Semitism has been around for a long, long time.

        To the person of Bible times, bread had an almost mystical, sacred meaning. Here are several things to consider: (1) A person would not rise to greet a guest while eating bread, (2) Even the baking of bread was done in the name of God, and (3) Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." It was to a people with this reverence for bread that Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."

        In Bible times it was considered wicked, even immoral, for a person to cut or slice bread with a knife. It was always broken, piece by piece from the loaf. To cut bread was considered to be cutting life itself. As a child it was not unusual to hear believers, following an evening church service say, "Let's go out and break bread together." They meant they are going to some restaurant or to someone's home for an after church snack. We call the Lord's Supper, the Communion Service or the Eucharist, "The breaking of bread." And Jesus told His disciples when He instituted the remembrance; "This is my body, which is broken for you." In Acts chapter 20, we have an indication that the early Christians met each week for preaching and the Communion Service. "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them (Acts 20:7).

        There were basically two kinds of bread in Bible times: wheat and barley. Barley bread was eaten by the poorer classes of people, which made up most of the population. Wheat bread was petty much relegated to those who were living on a more comfortable scale. This was the same in both Testaments.

        One interesting passage in Judges deals with this distinction. The Midianites were invading Israel during the time of the Judges. One night, one of the Midianite soldiers had a dream. In the dream, a "cake of barley bread" tumbled into the host of Midian (Judges 7:13). The dream predicted Israel (the barley loaf) defeating the Midianites. But it also indicates how the Midiantes despised Israel. The Midianites were riding high, and they could afford wheat bread. The Israelites had been oppressed by the Midianites and they were considered only to be barley bread eaters.

        Think of the lad who brought his five barley loaves and fish to Jesus. Jesus used what would be considered a lowly gift to perform one of his outstanding miracles.  The boy gave a humble (barley) contribution, but God used it to satisfy the crowd.

          Bread, in Bible times, took three forms. First, there were the small loaves, somthing about the size of our biscuits. This is the kind of barley loaves the lad brought to Jesus.

          Second, there were large loaves, about as heavy as ours today, but shaped differently. They were round instead of long. This was the kind of loaf David took to his brothers in Saul's army. It was also the "sop" broken off by Jesus and given to Judas in that upper room. Jesus then asked him to dip with Him into the common pot of food. It was reserved for someone the host wished to honor. We'll talk more about that in a later session.

          Finally, there were the flat loaves, almost as thin as paper. You can buy these in our country sometimes called "pita" bread. It was a little like pan cakes, but much larger around and much thinner. This kind of bread actually took the place of forks and spoons. A person would rip a piece from the whole, form it into a scoop, and dip into the central pot in which the meal was being served. There was no silverware, and no individual plates. This could also be folded, put into a pouch on a persons belt, and was excellent for taking on a journey, or for eating while watching the flocks out in the fields.

          There were several ways to bake bread in Bible times. The primitive way used hot stones. One way to do that was by digging a hole, lining it with stones, then building a fire to heat the stones. The dough would then be slapped on the stones, and it would bake instantly. Stone pitchers could also be used. The fire was built inside the pitcher; the dough was then slapped on the outside.

          The Prophet Elijah was in depression. The Queen was after his life. He had fled into the wilderness and asked God to take his life. God gave him a restful sleep, and when he awoke, it says, "There was at this head a cake baken on hot stones" (I Kings 19:6).

          Ovens also date far back. They apparently existed as far back as the Israelites wanderings in the wilderness. In Leviticus 2, ovens were used to bake two kinds of bread, one being unleavened bread which we did not cover here. Unleavened bread is bread baked without any yeast, which the Israelites were required to use during some of their religious celbrations. "Cakes of fine flour," which you read of in the Scriptures, were also baked inside an oven. Wafers, the very thin bread, could be baked on the outside of a hot oven. Although in a bakery in Jordan, we saw the large, paper thin, pita-type bread being baked on a round flat iron piece with a long handle which was placed into the oven. Was it ever tasty!

          Did you know that in Bible days, various types of merchants were congregated together on certain streets in the cities? You would go to different streets for different kinds of products. There was a bakers' street in Jerusalem in Jesus' day. There was a bakers' street in Jerusalem in Jeremiah's day.

          The third type of food common in the area was vegetables. We will not dwell on this, because usually vegetables were eaten in combination with something else in a sort of porridge, boiled in a pot. But consider these:
* Ezekiel 4:9 - beans and lentils
* Genesis 25 - Esau sold his birthright for a meal of lentils and bread
* Numbers 11:5 - leeks, onions, garlic
* Isaiah 1:8 - a garden of cucumbers
* Daniel 1:2 - a diet of pulse (the world "pulse" means "something sown")

          Let's move on to a fourth food area: dairy. Today the Bedouins have something called "Leben" which they make from milk. They pour the milk into a dish, add yeast, which starts working. They cover it with a warm cloth and let it set for a day. Does that sound gross? Well, it is far from new. It is the food that Abraham gave to his guests (angels, and the Lord Himself) in Genesis 18:8. It is the food Jael gave to Sisera in Judges 4:19. By the way, this is an interesting story if you have never read it, check it out.

          What kinds of milk are mentioned in the Bible?
   * Isaiah 28:9 - Mother's milk
   * Deuteronomy 32:14 - Cow's milk
   * Proverbs 27:27 - Goat's milk
   * Genesis - Camel's milk
Remember, the Promised Land was said to be a land "flowing with milk and honey."

          There was also butter. Now the butter of Bible times was not like the butter we have today. Although Bible-time butter is still made by the Beduins who roam the wilderness areas. Back in the1940's, a visitor to the Holy Land asked, "What are those women kneading and shaking so zealously in that large black bag suspended from that tripod?" The answer came, "That is a bottle not a bag, made by stripping off the skin of a young buffalo. It is full of milk and that is their method of churning. When the butter has come they take it out, and boil it, then put it in bottles made of goatskins. In the winter it resembles candied honey, in summer it is like oil. That is the only kind of butter they have in this country."

          There is also cheese. It is similar to western cheese, only the slices are much thicker - about the thickness of a man's hand. This is the kind of cheese Jesse sent with David to his brothers in Saul's army in I Samuel 17:18. In II Samuel 17:29, Barzillai brought cheese as a gift to King David.

          Meat was also a part of the diet of Bible times. However, the common people only ate meat on special occasions. Today we think we have to have meat with virtually every meal. That puts us among the wealthy people of this world. Someone calculated that the very poorest people in the United States, are still among the 10% most wealthy in the world. Wow! What a thought! When I was a boy, we typically had meat once maybe twice a week (if we were lucky). Then the left overs, if there were any, showed up in a stew the next day. In Bible times, meat was pretty much relegated to religious feasts, entertaining guests, or other special occasions.
     * Genesis 18:7 - Abraham served veal to his guests
     * Judges 6:19 - Gideon prepared a kid for his visitors

          People that lived along water also ate fish, which became a fairly good portion of their diet. Several of the disciples were commercial fishermen. And remember that after Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to His disciples along the Sea of Galilee, and prepared a fish breakfast for them.

          And finally, there are also references to eggs, honey and fruit in the Scriptures. The fruit we will take up later when we talk about trees in the Holy Land.

CUSTOMS AT MEALTIME IN BIBLE TIMES

          The first thing we notice which is different about eating in Bible times, is the need to ceremonially wash their hands. This was not true of the nomadic tribes in the area, only the Jews. The Law given to Moses made no such mention of such ritualistic washing. Jesus called it the "traditions of the elders" - one of the more than 600 additional rules which the religious leaders had added in addition to God's Law. Much of what was required in the Law, including their diet, had to do with health related issues that were not known to mankind at that time, but certainly were known to the Creator.

          A servant or a family member would pour water from a jar over the hands of each before they ate. The hands were placed over a basin, so the water could fall into it. Over the basin was a sort of grate that would hide the dirty (impure) water from the observer. It symbolized what happened to their sin when they made the blood sacrifice at the Temple. This method of washing was in vogue as far back as the days of the prophets. The Prophet Elisha is characterized by the servant who introduced him to the king as, "Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah" (II Kings 3:11). Elisha, of course, was Elijah's servant before the mantle was passed on to him, and he certainly poured water over his master's hands during the ritual washings. In Matthew 15, and again in Mark 7, the religious leaders of Jesus' day complained that Jesus' disciples did not wash their hands before eating. They claimed Moses gave the commandment. Jesus said there was no such requirement in the Law; that the regulation had been added by the religious leaders dispite God's command not to add to nor take away from the Law.

          There were no western style tables and chairs in Bible days. They would sit erect on the floor with their legs folded under them before a low table or around a mat spread on the floor. Or they would kneel with their legs to the back. The picture we see of Jesus with His disciples sitting at a table for the "Last Supper" just never happened that way. The Hebrew word for table is "shoal-khawn" meaning a skin or leather mat spread on the ground.

          This explains Psalm 69:22, where David writes, "Let their table become a snare before them; and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap." What he is saying about this table is, "Let their feet become entangled in it, as it is spread on the ground." Paul quotes this passage in Romans 11:9, saying, "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap and a stumbling block, and a recompense unto them." We'll not get into the point Paul is trying to make here. The point we want to make, is that if you are sitting on the table (cloth spread on the ground), with your feet under you, and you need to get up quickly, it is possible for your feet to get entangled in the "table" and it can become a "snare" and a "trap" to you. Even if there were an actual table (only in a king's palace or an extremely wealthy family), it would have been no more than 14-inches off the floor and those who sat around it would be sitting on the floor.

          There is mention of "chairs" or "seats" in the Scriptures. But they do not refer to chairs as we know them today. The reference to chairs is speaking of position. In Genesis 43, when Joseph's brothers were brought in for a banquet, they were seated in the order of their ages. It refers to position. In I Samuel 20, David is given a seat at the royal table. But it refers to his position at the table. Jesus told a parable about the man who went to a wedding feast, and went to the best seat. He was later told he had taken the wrong seat, and he was embarrassed by having to take a lower seat. It is speaking of social position.

          There were no individual dishes in Bible times. The only containers were for the food to be placed on the table. There were trays, baskets, copper dishes and pottery. The main portion of the meal was placed in a large bowl in the center of the table, and everyone dipped into it with their bread. Jesus spoke of Judas as "he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish" (Matthew 26:23). In entertaining guests, Gideon (one of the Judges), put the meat into a basket on the table, and the broth in a pot (Judges 6:19).

          Saying "Grace" at mealtime is not new. Long before the time of the Islamic religion, the nomadic tribes of the area would sit down to a meal and say, "In the name of God," then eat. In the Old Testament, it indicates that Jews gave thanks to God before they ate. If a prophet were present, he would be asked to give thanks to God (I Samuel 9). In the New Testament (John 11:6 and Matthew 15:36) at the feeding of the 5,000, prior to feeding the people, it says, "He blessed it." Likely He said exactly what Jews said back then, and still say today at mealtime; a blessing like, "Blessed art Thou, Jehovah our God, King of the world, who causes to come forth bread from the earth." In Deuteronomy 8:10, it also indicated that they were to pray again at the end of the meal.

           At the end of the meal there would be another religious ceremonial washing similar to the one that preceded the meal.

          Many times in the Bible we read of special suppers and banquets. While we read of many in the Scriptures, they certaily must have been regular occurrences, because Jesus uses them several times as illustrations of points He seeks to make. First there must be an invitation. The culture demanded a sort of double invitation. Prior to the special occasions, a servant would go and tell each invited guest of the event on a certain day and time in the future. Then at the time of the event, the servants would go out to tell the invited guests that everything was ready. It is time to come. You see this in Queen Esther's invitation to Haman to come to her banquet. First she invites Haman to her banquet. Then when the time has come she sends the King's chamberlain to get him. Jesus used the same thing in some of His parables. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and set forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding" (Matthew 22:2-3). First they were bidden. Second, those that were bidden were called.  Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Supper like this, "A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at suppertime to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready" (Luke 14:16-17). You couldn't say you missed a dinner because you forgot about it back in Bible times.

          But it goes even deeper, to "compelling" people to come. Jesus in another parable said, "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" (Luke 14:23). The word "compel" may be a little strong here, at least as we understand it today. This same word is translated differently in Acts 16:15 where Lydia is inviting Paul and his company to stay at her house. She says, "If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal, the Savior did not at first accept the invitation, although he did go finally: "Now one of the Pharisees insisted that he take a meal with him" (Luke 7:36).

          To go to a banquet, and then be excluded was the worst possible thing that could happen to a person. One might be excluded because he had not received an invitation, wore the wrong clothing, or had taken a seat higher than his social standing allowed. While the banquet room would be brightly lit, this one would be cast out into the street where it would be pitch black. There were no streetlights and there were high walls on both sides of the narrow streets. Most middle easterners were afraid of the dark. A lamp was even kept burning all night long so their home would not be totally dark. Jesus uses this natural fear to teach the people to whom He ministered. In Matthew 8 He says that people from all over the world shall recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven, but "the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12). A few chapters later He tells the Parable of the Marriage Feast. He said that when one invited guest came wearing the wrong wedding garment, and was questioned, he was speechless. Then He said, "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness" (Matthew 22:13). He, of course, was speaking of people trying to get into Heaven wearing the cloak of their own righteousness, which falls short; rather than the cloak of Christ's righteousness, which was purchased for us by His blood on the Cross. And again, just a few chapters later, He tells the Parable of the Talents. He ends by saying, "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkess: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). In that culture the worst thing anyone could think of was to be outside lost in total darkness. Jesus used that in these passages which have to do with special banquets and dinners.

          Perhaps you have wondered about what it means when it says that John was "leaning on Jesus' bosom." There was something which was developed by the Romans, and was used by rich families. Guests sat on cushions before the table that was at the same level. The table was built in a U-shape, and raised above the floor level. Inside the "U," the servants brought the food and served the guests. The guest's position was to recline with the body's upper part resting on the left arm, and the head raised. The lower part of the body would be stretched out. The head of the second guest was opposite the breast of the first guest, so that if he wanted to speak to him in secret he would "lean upon his breast."

          This sheds light on several passages of Scripture. The Apostle John asked Jesus a question at the "Last Supper" while stretched out in this position (John 13:23-25). In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, when Jesus said that "the begger died, and was carried by angels into Abraham bosom" (Luke 16:22); He doubtless meant to imply that he was reclining at a heavenly table next to Abraham where he could lean upon his breast. This is clear in the light of Christ's description of that heavenly feast which we looked at a moment ago, "Many shall come from the east and the west; and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 8:11). Also this position of reclining at the table explains how the woman could come during a dinner and take her position behind Jesus and wash His feet (Luke 7:38).

          Next and finally in this consideration, we come to the "dipping of the sop." You can't think of that word "sop" without thinking of Judas Iscariot. This is what we read: "He then (John) lying on Jesus' breast said unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot" (John 13:25-26). I must admit that by researching the culture, my whole idea about what happened here has changed.

          First of all, the "sop" was the tastiest morsal served at a supper. It was usually a piece of meat, frequently the only piece of meat in the stew. The one giving the dinner would give it to a person he wanted to honor. He would pick it out of the stew with a scoop made out of bread, and actually place it into the mouth of the individual he wished to honor. I always wondered how the disciples could be so dense. Jesus told John that the one who was going to betray Him was the one with whom He would dip the sop. Likely the others didn't hear the question. But more importantly, they thought Jesus was honoring Judas. Jesus was in effect saying, "Judas, my discple, I have infinite pity for you. You have proved false, you have forsaken me in your heart; but I will not treat you as an enemy, for I have come not to destroy, but to fulfill. Here is my sop of friendship, and 'that thou doest do quickly.'" Wow! That is almost
beyond our ability to comprehend.

          Did you ever think you could learn so much just by thinking about mealtime in the Scriptures?

THE SACRED DUTY OF HOSPITALITY

          In Middle Eastern culture, and in Bible times, guests were believed to have been sent by God. They were rceived with joy and excitement. In Genesis 18, Abraham was sitting in the door of his tent during the heat of the day, when he spotted three visitors coming in his direction. Look at how Abraham reacted to seeing these visitors. First, it says he "ran to meet them." Then he "hastened into the tent unto Sarah" where he ordered a calf to be brought and dressed quickly for these guests.

          One thing that stands out in the culture is that men do not like to eat alone. At the same time, they will not eat with the women and children. They always want other men around when they eat. This was one more trial that Job went through. He said, "I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof" (Job 31:17). When he was downtrodden, he could find no one who would eat with him. Not even the homeless and fatherless of the area wanted anything to do with him.

          There were different kinds of visitors that could come to a tent door: friends, strangers and enemies.

          First, let's consider friends. One thing that happened during any visitaton in Bible times was eating. The eating took place before anything else. In Genesis 18, when these three visitors came to Abraham they had some very important business to bring to him. But all of that had to wait until they had eaten.

          Friends would frequently take oaths of friendship, which could be passed down from generation to generation. Think of David and Jonathan. Even after Johathan was dead, David still honored the oath of friendship they had taken, and that lasted for several generations. We have to understand this if we are to understand passages such as Revelation 2:17.

          Let me explain the custom. Two friends would take a soft "white stone" and break it in half. That would leave a rough, crooked, jagged edge, which would be matched as a puzzle. The one breaking the stone would write the friend's name on one half, and his on the other. That stone became a part of the family property - or "wealth," if you will. It would be passed down from generation to generation. It was an unbreakable covenant. Those two families were inseparably linked, even though they may not see each other from one generation to another. Whenever any of the descendants met, they would just put the two pieces of stone together, and that proved they were the legitimate heirs.

          In Revelation 2:17, the Apostle John writes the Lord's message to the Church at Pergamum. The message ends with this promise: "I will give to each a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one else knows except the one receiving it." The people who received this message from John understood it immediately. This was a "white stone covenant." The Lord Jesus broke the stone, wrote His name on one piece, their "new name" on the other, and when they meet the Lord face to face, the two pieces will match, and they can come into "Glory."

          Not all visitors would be friends. Some, like those who came to Abraham in Genesis 18 were strangers. There is an oriental proverb which says, "Every stranger is an invited guest." Even today, Bedouins in the desert will sit in the doorway of their tent, just as Abraham did, and scan the horizon. Abraham was doing that when he saw three men coming toward him. If you read this story carefully, you will discover that two of these men were angels; the other was the pre-incarnate Son of God - the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament (God the Father is Spirit - a spirit does not have a body; only God the Son has a body).

          This is not an unknown concept in the New Testament. In Hebrews, we are exhorted to "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2). In Romans, Paul says that believers should be "given to hospitality" (Romans 13:2). The Greek word for "hospitality" in this passage is (and I will spell it the way it sounds) "fl-ox-en-ee-ah." It means, "love to strangers."

          There was a time in this country, before there were so many restaurants and motels, that visiting speakers and missionaries would spend their time in a community staying with the church members in their homes. How much I learned from these people as a boy! I think we have lost a great deal by putting them up in motels and giving them meal allowances (many would rather do that). But years back not ony did they educate Christian families on all sorts of subjects, but they also felt it to be a part of their ministry for the Lord.

          Visitors could be friends; the could be strangers; they could be enemies. As long as a visitor remained at another's tent, he would be treated as a friend whether he was a friend, stranger or enemy.

          The roaming tribes of Bible times had many unwritten rules, one of which had to do with the arrival of an enemy. If the enemy rode up to your tent on a horse (or other animal), or walked up, you could kill him. But once he touched the tent rope, or any other part of your tent, he would be safe, and you would be responsible for his protection. Not only would you be responsible for his protection, even to the extent of your own death, you would also feed him, clothe him and treat him as a friend. As soon as he left the shelter of your protection, you, or anyone else, could once again seek to kill him.

          Do you remember, we have been saying in this study that in some parts of the Middle East (principally in the rural areas) little has changed since the time of Abraham? Let's take a modern day example. In 2001 after the World Trade Center towers had been felled by terrorists, the United States demanded that Afghanistan give up Osoma Bin Laden. Many of us simply could not understand why these people would not give up one man to save their country. The fact is, they couldn't. Bin Laden was inside their country, and as long as he chose to stay, they were morally obligated to protect him. They asked him to leave. But they could not force him to leave. To turn him over to the United States would have been a moral impossibility - a denial of their faith, family and their existence. They were morally responsible for his safety as long as he was within their realm of control even to their own death. I know that is almost impossible for us to comprehend; but that is (and since Old Testament times has been) their culture.

          Let me share with you the story of an American missionary, Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, who dined with a governor. There were three pieces of mutton on the "table." The governor fed one to Dr. Hamlin, saying, "By this act I have pledged you every drop of my blood that while you are in my territory no evil shall come to you." Now do you understand what the Pslmist meant when he wrote in the 23rd Psalm, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies?"
The Psalmist was saying that God's feeding him was a covenant of protection.

          Upon entering a Middle Eastern house, there are seven things which must happen. First, there is the bowing. The bowing symbolizes: "My heart, my voice, my brain are all at your service." When one comes to a house to thank the householder for a favor, or to ask for a favor, he will bow all the way to the ground. He might also kiss the lower part of the householder's garment or even his feet. This is what Cornelius did when Peter came to his house in Acts chapter 10. It says, "As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him" (Acts 10:25). Peter, of course, would not accept worship, so he asked him to stand up. But the bowing to the ground was customary. In Revelation 3:9, in the message to the Church at Philadelphia, the risen Lord says, "I will make them of the Synagogue of Saten...to come and bow down before thy feet."

          When entering a home, the first requisite was to bow - either a half bow, or a full bow to the ground. Next was the greeting. As the guest rose from the bow, the homeowner would say, "Shalom alakum" - "Peace be on you." The guest would respond, "And on you peace." If you attend, or have visited a formal church, you may have noted that dring the greeting time, the people turn around and say, "peace be on you," with the response, "And on you peace." Just one of the many customs which has been pulled over into Christianity from our Jewish roots.

          Jesus, in sending out His disciples to minister said, "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house, and if the Son of Peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again" (Luke 10:5-6). This is just another example of the greeting which the people of Jesus' day took for granted.

          The third thing, which was required of every visitor was a kiss. A woman of less than reputable character, using expensive oil, anointed Jesus' feet when he was eating in a Pharisee's house. When the religious crowd objected, Jesus answered that they had not welcomed Him as a guest, "Thou gavest me no kiss" (Luke 7:45).

          We shake hands when we meet someone. In the Middle East they kiss. Perhaps you have seen this on television when Middle Eastern officials come to Washington, or when our diplomats go to the Middle East. The right hand is placed on the guest's left shoulder, and a kiss is placed on the right cheek. Then the left hand is placed on the guest's right shoulder, and a kiss is placed on the left cheek.

          There are numerous examples of this type of kissing in the Bible. Here is a partial list:
* Jacob kissed his father,
* Esau kissed Jacob,
* Joseph kissed his brothers,
* Jacob kissed the sons of Joseph,
* Aaron kissed Moses,
* Moses kissed Jethro,
* David and Jonathan kissed,
* The father kissed the Prodigal Son,
* The elders at Miletus kissed Paul,
* And we could cite many more examples.

          A fourth thing which had to happen when a guest arrived was the removal of the shoes. Since there were no chairs as we know them, and since they sat on a rug, mat, or low type divan (if the householder were very rich), with their feet under them, the wearing of shoes (sandles) would be uncomfortable and soil the furniture and the person's clothing. Shoes worn inside a dwelling became associated with defilement. This is why, even today, shoes are taken off when one goes into a Moslem holy place, or even for the five times of prayer each day. In the Old Testament, what happened when people stood in the presence of a Holy God? The first thing required of them was to take off their shoes. Why? Because God said they were standing only holy ground. One well-known example of this is Moses at the burning bush.

          There were several other things required as a guest arrived. They included the washing of the feet. Then the washing of the hands and then the meal.

          Let me share with you the experience of a missionary going to a Beduin tent. First, the host dipped a piece of thin, flat bread into a grape molasses-like substance and put it to the guest's mouth and said, "We are now brethren. There is bread and salt between us. We are brethren and allies."

          Do you remember in Joshua chapter 9, the Gibeonites who approached Israel as they were coming into the Promised Land? The Gibeonites said they had come from a far country and wanted to make a peace treaty with Israel. They wore old beat up sandles, and brought stale bread with them. Of course, you will remember that they lived just over the mountain and tricked Israel into the treaty. But notice how the treaty was sealed. They "took of their victuals" (Joshua 9:14). Eating with them was the same as making a binding peace treaty. Centuries later, King Saul broke that treaty, and David ended up having to pay for it. Even though Israel had been tricked into the treaty, they were still bound to keep it.

          Just as formal as the arrival of a guest, is the departure of the guest. When a guest decides it is time to leave, the host does everything he can to talk the guest into staying. There are numerous instances in the Scriptures of the host begging the guest to stay for one more meal, or to stay for one more night.

          There is a perfect example of this in Judges 19. Read it. It is really a horrible story, but the host and the guest go back and forth day after day. Stay for one more meal. Stay for one more night. The series drags out for more than a week. Another such story is found in Genesis 24 where Abraham sends his servant to get a bride for Isaac. Again when it is time to leave there is a request to stay for one more meal and to stay for one more night.

          Then there was the formality of actually departing. When he finally leaves, the guest will say, "With your permision." The host responds, "Depart in peace." But that is still not the end. Now the host will walk with the guests as they leave, for as much as an hour. In Genesis 26, Abimelech and his men had been entertained by Isaac. It says they "departed in peace" (Genesis 26:31). The walk with the host lasts until the guest urges the host that he need not go any farther. In Genesis 18, Abraham walked with his departing guests "to bring them on the way."

          Naomi (in the Book of Ruth), as she left to return to her homeland with her two daughters-in-law, had both of them "bring her on her way." But when she finally objected to their going any farther, one returned. The other said she would return to Israel with her mother-in-law.  And, of course, you know the rest of the story. It was all a part of the culture of the land.

          We called it "The Sacred Duty of Hospitality." While some of the rituals customary to the Middle East may seem a little strange, we seem to have lost much in our time because of our rapid paced life style, which allows little time for entertaining guests. As a child, our family entertained a great deal. We had friends in for dinner a couple of times a month. We had visiting pastors, evangelists and missionaries stay in our home for as much as two weeks at a time. All of that left an indelible impression on my life.

________________________________________________________________

New Study Manual Now Available...

                                              Understanding the Bible
                                                   By Understanding
                                       THE
                     CULTURE & CUSTOMS
                           OF BIBLE TIMES

* Over 200 pages
* 27 capters
* Illustrative drawings
* Photos from the Holy Land
* And much more

Great for Bible Study groups, Sunday School classes, etc.

Each chapter ends with "Review Questions," "Things to Remember" and "What Does This Mean to Me?"

Send $12.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling to:

                                 Don LaRose
                                 P. O. Box 95
                                 Centerton, AR 72719

Order 7 or more books (one, or mixed titles from any page on this website) and take a 10% disount.

One $4.00 S & H covers all books ordered at the same time.

It is our purpose to get these books into the hands of as many people as will benefit from them. If you are unable to afford the cost of these books, pleaselet us know. We trust the Lord to make up the cost of your books through gifts from God's children.
____________________________________

Click here to continue on to Class #4

Click here to return to Home Page
_________________________________________________________________