How many times have you turned away a would be visitor because you weren’t prepared?  Or how many times have you begrudgingly prepared for guests or for a gathering or family, friends or co-workers?  How many times have you allowed someone else to carry the burden of food preparation or other work needed to accommodate guests, or complained about your workload?

We’ve probably all been guilty ar some point and I’ll be the first to admit it.  According to Hebraic thought, the attribute we were lacking is called ‘nidivoot,’ or a heart that is willing to give freely and spontaneously.  Today we refer to this trait as generous or charitable.  

But in scripture, this is more than throwing a few shekels into your favorite charity cup or to a local beggar.  To be nadeev is someone who is quick to volunteer their help willingly, freely and spontaneously.  A person who is nadiv has a big and kind heart, not because they stand to gain something in return but because that’s their nature or Elohim put it in their heart to feel that way.

This attribute of nedivut is best demonstrated by father Abraham in Bereshit chapter 18:

Spontaneously willing to help

“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my master,[a] do not pass your servant by.”

We see here that the 3 visitors were not expected nor known, yet Abraham jumped up and hurriedly greeted them with respect.  The visitors didn’t ask Abraham for assistance , but he volunteered willingly.

Kindheartedness 

4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” Gen. 18:4-5

Travelers on a long journey in the desert can easily run out of essentials and would be exhausted from being in the sun for long periods of time.  Abraham showed concern for these visitors by urging them to come and refresh themselves under his tree and get some much needed food and drink.  This could have easily been a life saving gesture, and Abraham moved with urgency.

Gave Freely

“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.” Gen. 18:6-7

Abraham could have easily given these men some dried fruit and water and sent them on their way.  But he went out of his way to prepare fresh bread, cheese and the choicest of his herds for them – a feast.  This was probably made in the form of an eastern style beef stew with warm flat bread and crumbled feta and olive oil.  He went all out to roll out the red carpet for these strangers making them a true feast fit for kings and got Sarah and the youth to help him.  He certainly gave freely.

“8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” Gen. 18:8

Finally, Abraham not only served these messengers of Elohim, but he stood nearby while they ate, showing he was ‘ready for anything’ as it says in Gesenius Lexicon.  If they wanted more or needed anything else, he was near and willing to give until they were satisfied.

What a jewel Abraham was!  He was certainly an ish nadeev after Elohim’s heart!  Abraham served Elohim, his family and people with all his heart.  Some say he showed nidivoot even when he still recovering from circumcision, which would give even further perspective to the depth of his character.  Because he gave so abundantly, he received abundantly and visa versa.  

How can we bring more nedivut into our daily walk?

Recent studies show people who practice generosity and acts of kindness live healthier longer lives.

Thanks for reading!

Blessed week to you and yours! Queen Makedah

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