| Abstract
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The custom of hospitality has been widely practiced by people since ancient times and is regarded as a sign of a civilized people. The Bible, and other ancient writings, record how hospitality was extended to strangers; that is, to people who were dislocated, displaced and alienated. Hospitality entails kind and generous treatment towards strangers allowing them to feel part of society, or the family. Currently, there are millions of Indonesian economic migrants employed overseas as domestic workers. These maids often face terrible abuse including cruelty, rape, little or no salary, even torture and death. Treatment of overseas domestic workers contrasts sharply with the welcoming hospitality of biblical times. This paper argues that an application of the biblical word in this area would create a more human working environment for the overseas domestic workers, extending God’s love to those in a desperate situation. The custom of hospitality has been widely practiced by people since ancient times and is regarded as a sign of a civilized people. The Bible, and other ancient writings, record how hospitality was extended to strangers; that is, to people who were dislocated, displaced and alienated. Hospitality entails kind and generous treatment towards strangers allowing them to feel part of society, or the family. Currently, there are millions of Indonesian economic migrants employed overseas as domestic workers. These maids often face terrible abuse including cruelty, rape, little or no salary, even torture and death. Treatment of overseas domestic workers contrasts sharply with the welcoming hospitality of biblical times. This paper argues that an application of the biblical word in this area would create a more human working environment for the overseas domestic workers, extending God’s love to those in a desperate situation.
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