Genesis 18:4-5

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“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; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.”

Sociology, Geography, Medical Science, Biology, History

Refreshment, Hospitality, Fashion ^{(209) (210) (211) (212) (213)}

In these verses we find a delightful picture of primitive hospitality. In those ancient times shoes such as ours were not in use; and the foot was protected only by sandals or soles, which fastened round the foot with straps. It was therefore a great refreshment in so hot a country to get the feet washed at the end of a day’s journey; and this is the first thing that Abraham proposes. To rest in the shade was the second requisite for the refreshment of a weary traveler. A morsel of bread was the third requisite, and is introduced in its proper order; as eating immediately after exertion or fatigue is very unwholesome. The strong action of the lungs and heart should have time to diminish before any food is received into the stomach, as otherwise concoction is prevented, and fever in a less or greater degree produced. In those ancient days every traveler conceived he had a right to refreshment, when he needed it, at the first tent he met with on his journey.