Instruction Concerning Strangers in Biblical Law
Throughout the Old Testament, there is a consistent concern for the treatment of strangers, foreigners, and sojourners living among the people of Israel. The instructions regarding strangers were rooted not only in morality and justice but also in the collective memory of Israel as a people who were once strangers themselves in a foreign land. These laws reflect compassion, hospitality, and social justice, ensuring that outsiders were treated fairly and with dignity.
1. The Context of Strangers
In ancient Israel, the term “stranger” or “sojourner” (Hebrew: ger) often referred to a non-Israelite living temporarily among the Israelites. Unlike citizens of Israel, these individuals did not belong to a particular tribe or inherit land. However, the Law recognized their humanity and placed responsibilities on the community to protect their rights. The repeated emphasis on strangers reminds the Israelites of their own history of oppression in Egypt, teaching empathy and moral responsibility.
2. Core Instructions Regarding Strangers
Several instructions in the Mosaic Law specifically address how strangers should be treated:
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Equality Before the Law: Strangers were to be judged fairly in courts of law, with no partiality toward the local population. Leviticus 24:22 states: “You shall have the same law for the stranger and for the native, for I am the LORD your God.” This principle established the foundation for justice, ensuring that outsiders were not oppressed or ignored.
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Provision and Care: Strangers were entitled to participate in certain aspects of Israelite economic life. For example, they could glean from the fields during harvest, along with widows and orphans (Leviticus 19:9–10; Deuteronomy 24:19). This provision ensured that even the marginalized had access to food and sustenance.
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Hospitality and Respect: Exodus 22:21 instructs: “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” This ethical command underscores a principle of empathy, reminding Israelites that their treatment of strangers should reflect their own experiences of vulnerability.
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Religious Inclusion: Strangers were sometimes allowed to participate in religious festivals and offerings, particularly if they wanted to worship the God of Israel (Exodus 12:48–49). This inclusion highlights that moral obligations toward strangers extended beyond material provisions to spiritual and communal dimensions.
3. Purpose Behind These Instructions
The treatment of strangers served multiple purposes:
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Moral and Ethical Training: By commanding kindness toward strangers, the Law trained Israel to practice justice, mercy, and empathy—virtues central to a society aligned with God’s will.
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Social Cohesion: Fair treatment of foreigners prevented social unrest and integrated diverse groups into the community, ensuring stability and peace.
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Spiritual Reflection: Remembering that the Israelites themselves were once strangers reinforced dependence on God’s mercy and reminded them of the importance of humility and compassion.
4. Broader Biblical Implications
The concern for strangers extended beyond Mosaic Law and is reflected throughout the Bible. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah consistently urged care for the foreigner, linking such care to true devotion to God (Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:5–7). In the New Testament, Jesus expanded the principle, teaching love for the neighbor, which included strangers and outsiders (Matthew 25:35–40).
5. Conclusion
The instructions concerning strangers in the biblical context were revolutionary for their time. They emphasized equality, protection, hospitality, and compassion, reflecting a divine mandate for justice. By commanding care for those who were vulnerable and socially marginalized, these laws taught a broader lesson: that a society’s righteousness is measured not only by how it treats its own citizens but also by how it treats those who are outsiders. For Israel, these instructions were both a reminder of their past and a blueprint for living faithfully under God’s covenant.