In the context of the Old Testament, the term "strangers" often refers to non-Israelites or foreigners residing among the Israelites. The inclusion of strangers in religious practices, particularly in offering oblations, reflects the broader theological theme of God's openness to all nations and peoples who seek Him.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 22:18 · "Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: If any man of the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them presents an offering, whether in payment of a vow or as a freewill gift, it must be offered to the LORD as a burnt offering."

This verse explicitly states that not only Israelites but also foreigners residing among them could present offerings to the Lord. The inclusion of strangers in the sacrificial system underscores the universality of God's covenant and His willingness to accept worship from all who approach Him with sincerity.

2. Numbers 15:14-16 · "And if a foreigner resides with you or someone else is among you and wants to offer a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he is to do exactly as you do. The assembly is to have the same statute for both you and the foreigner residing with you; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD. The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing among you."

Here, the text emphasizes equality in worship practices between Israelites and foreigners. The same laws and regulations applied to both groups, indicating that the spiritual privileges and responsibilities were shared. This provision allowed strangers to fully participate in the religious life of Israel, provided they adhered to the same standards.

3. Isaiah 56:6-7 · "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant—I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations."

The prophet Isaiah extends the invitation to foreigners to join themselves to the Lord, promising that their offerings will be accepted. This passage highlights the prophetic vision of a future where God's house becomes a place of worship for all nations, reinforcing the idea that God's grace and acceptance transcend ethnic and national boundaries.

Theological Implications:

The ability of strangers to offer oblations in the Old Testament reflects the inclusive nature of God's covenantal relationship with humanity. While Israel was chosen as a special nation, the provision for foreigners to participate in worship illustrates God's desire for all people to know Him. This inclusivity foreshadows the New Testament revelation of the Gospel being extended to Gentiles, fulfilling the promise that through Abraham's seed, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

The participation of strangers in offering oblations also serves as a reminder of the holiness and universality of God's law. By adhering to the same statutes, both Israelites and foreigners acknowledged the sovereignty of God and the unity of His people under His divine authority. This principle of equality before God laid the groundwork for the New Testament teaching that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, but all are one (Galatians 3:28).

In summary, the inclusion of strangers in the offering of oblations in the Old Testament is a testament to God's inclusive love and the anticipation of a time when all nations would come to worship Him.Leviticus 17:8
And you shall say to them, Whatever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offers a burnt offering or sacrifice,
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 22:18,19
Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, Whatever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer to the LORD for a burnt offering;
Nave's Topical Index

A Treatise against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop.
... Israel, nor do they approach to offer the holy ... sacrifice, turned towards their fall;
which could not any ... of you heretics, and schismatics, and strangers to His ...
/.../a treatise against the heretic.htm

Paul in Athens.
... directed, by the philosopher Epimenides, to offer sacrifices to ... should have been
characterized by strangers as The ... that out of nothing, nothing could be made. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... University"the Rest of You, Most Worthy Strangers of Every ... have infirmities, and
are sinners, to offer both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Scriptural Types.
... Their offerings could not take away sin. ... holy, acceptable to God." Rom.12:1. They
"offer the sacrifice ... of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... To the sinner these could not otherwise come than ... "By him therefore let us offer
the sacrifice ... to his service through life: sojourning strangers, not Canaanites ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Concerning Worship.
... and righteous life, and wholly strangers to the ... supposed at present acceptably to
offer sacrifice as ... unrighteousness to righteousness, they could add nothing ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

The Teaching of Add??us the Apostle.
... Add??us had built a church they proceeded to offer in it ... their conduct was arrayed
in commendation from strangers"so that ... [3016] These terms could only have ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents the teaching.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... their allegiance and felicity, and then to offer himself up ... and when all his other
gifts could not prevail ... thoughts, it will make us as "strangers and pilgrims ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... Augustine is true, that all who are strangers to the ... of their hands; and that which
they offer there is ... I wish these sentiments could obtain full credit with us ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual ... But the Lord's covenant
could not be allowed to ... and in him shall they glory." Strangers brought into ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

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