Genesis 18:4-84Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. 8And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. (Genesis 18:4‑8)
“Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts.” v. 4,5.
It will be noted that Abraham provided three things for his guests: water for their feet; a place of rest; and food. Should not the Christian learn from these simple acts something for his own good? In John 13 the Lord Himself took water and washed the feet of His disciples, saying: “If I then,... have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example.” The washing of feet was not given as a literal ordinance for the Lord’s people, but as a principle of grace toward one another, providing spiritual refreshment and comfort along life’s way. One may be exercised too by the careless walk of a fellow-Christian who becomes defiled with the contaminating influence of the world. Applying the water of the Word of God to the wanderer will have a cleansing effect and is the spiritual and practical application of feet-washing in our present day.
If attentive to the needs of others, we will soon be aware of many weary and anxious souls who, through one cause or another, are restless and burdened with care. It is a privilege to show such the comfort of the Scriptures and the restful character of God’s Word. Abraham’s visitors were invited to rest “under the tree.” It is good to rest in confidence on the work done on another tree, the cross of Calvary, where the Saviour provided a way of peace and rest to all weary ones who come to Him through faith. Direct the burdened soul there, dear Christian, and yet will find comfort for your own heart. It is profitable to frequently withdraw from the pressures of life and rest in quietness “under the tree.”
Then too how blessed it is to minister food to the hungry. But we need to select food appropriate to the need, just as Abraham brought forth the cakes of meal, butter, milk and meat suited to his visitors’ requirements. He stood by in the attitude of a servant as he presented his gifts. It is a happy thing for the believe’ to take the servant’s place and to administer spiritual food to a needs one, encouraging him on the way and providing fresh energy for the path, Abraham’s provisions were simple, and it is the simplicity of the Scriptures that will best provide for the weary soul experiencing the heat of the day and the trials of the journey.
May we not conclude then, that it is good for the child of God to be an imitator of Abraham in these three typical services? In doing so one would also be an imitator of Christ in His lowly pathway of service on earth, for we are exhorted to follow His steps. Such service is rewarding according to the promise: “He that watereth shall be watered also him. self.” Proverbs 11:2525The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25).
ML 08/22/1965