Have you ever heard of this Newsboys song?

[NathanH83]

I remember when I was in junior high or high school, when I was roller blading on a recreational trail, and I was listening to a cassette tape on my Sony Walkman. The album was called “Stepping Up To the Microphone.” It was by the Newsboys.

One of the famous songs on that album, which they played in the radio a lot, was called “Entertaining Angels.”

Here’s a music video of the song:

I always knew that the song was based on the scripture verse in Hebrews 13:2, which says that some have entertained angels unaware.

I never really knew what that scripture verse was referring too. I definitely didn’t know of anyone in the Old Testament who entertained an angel unaware. I thought maybe Paul knew someone personally in the church who had entertained an angel unaware.

Do you have any idea what Paul might have been referring to?

 

[Lamb]

Genesis 19:1-3

Whenever people are aware that they have angels in their presence they normally are fearful and the angels say "Fear not" or something similar. Lot entertained angels without being aware of who they were until later.

 

[NathanH83]

Genesis 19:1-3

Whenever people are aware that they have angels in their presence they normally are fearful and the angels say "Fear not" or something similar. Lot entertained angels without being aware of who they were until later.

It seems to me that Lot behaved the exact same way that people behave when they see an angel.

What did Lot do when he first saw the angels? He bowed down with his face to the ground.

That’s exactly what Manoah did when he first found out he was looking at an angel.

And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord.)
Judges 13:16

“it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.”
Judges 13:20

When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.”
-Genesis 19:1-2

Abraham also bowed down with his face to the ground:

So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.
-Genesis 18:2-3

I don’t understand. How did Lot not know they were angels? He behaved as if he knew.

Manoah didn’t know it was an angel at first. But he didn’t entertain the angel. The angel didn’t accept any food from him.

I don’t get it?

 

[Lamb]

It seems to me that Lot behaved the exact same way that people behave when they see an angel.

What did Lot do when he first saw the angels? He bowed down with his face to the ground.

That’s exactly what Manoah did when he first found out he was looking at an angel.

And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord.)
Judges 13:16

“it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.”
Judges 13:20

When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.”
-Genesis 19:1-2

Abraham also bowed down with his face to the ground:

So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.
-Genesis 18:2-3

I don’t understand. How did Lot not know they were angels? He behaved as if he knew.

Manoah didn’t know it was an angel at first. But he didn’t entertain the angel. The angel didn’t accept any food from him.

I don’t get it?

Study more biblical history. Lots actions showed respect, not that he knew they were angels.

 

[NathanH83]

Study more biblical history. Lots actions showed respect, not that he knew they were angels.

Can you show an example from scripture where someone bowed with their face to the ground when meeting a random stranger?