Guests and Hospitality l

   744. A custom of sending double invitations to a special event has been observed in some parts of the East. Several examples of this custom are found in the Bible. At some time before the feast is to be served, an invitation is sent forth; then when the appointed time draws near, a servant is sent again to announce that everything is now ready. One example of this is in the parable of the great supper: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready'" (Luke 14:16-17).

   745. "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full'" (Luke 14:23). In the East the one invited is expected to reject an invitation upon the first invite. He must be urged to accept. All the while he expects to attend, but he must allow the one inviting him the privilege of "compelling him" to accept.

   746. Ancient banquets were usually held at night in brilliantly lighted rooms, and anybody who was excluded from the feast was said to be cast out of the lighted room into "the outer darkness" of the night. In the teaching of Jesus, the day of judgment is likened to being excluded from the banquet (Matt. 8:12). In the East a lamp is usually kept burning all night. Because of people's fear of the darkness, the Savior could have chosen no more appropriate words than "outer darkness" for the future punishment of the unrighteous.

   747. Seats were uncommon in early Bible times, except in the king's circle or at other times of ceremony. The prophet Amos was the first of the Biblical writers to refer to the custom of "stretch [ing] themselves upon their couches" when eating (Amos 6:4). By the time of Jesus the Romans were accustomed to reclining on couches at supper.

   748. A triclinium was a common dining setup of the Romans. It included a short square table with three couches to surround three sides of the perimeter. The fourth side was left open so the servant could reach the table easily.

   749. Guests of honor were held in special esteem when they were assigned to a room with a higher floor than the rest of the house. Many houses had such a room for special company.