In the biblical context, the term "strangers" often refers to foreigners or sojourners residing among the Israelites. The Scriptures provide clear instructions regarding the treatment of these individuals, emphasizing kindness and compassion, particularly towards those who are poor and vulnerable.

The Old Testament law explicitly commands the Israelites to show kindness to strangers. In Leviticus 19:33-34 , it is written: "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This passage underscores the principle of empathy, reminding the Israelites of their own history as strangers in Egypt and urging them to extend love and fairness to others in similar circumstances.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 further reinforces this mandate: "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." Here, God's character as a defender of the marginalized is highlighted, and His people are called to emulate His justice and generosity.

The requirement to care for strangers is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the call to hospitality and kindness extends to all believers. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This verse suggests that acts of kindness towards strangers can have profound, even divine, significance.

The parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37, further illustrates the Christian duty to care for those in need, regardless of their background or status. Jesus uses the example of a Samaritan, a group often despised by the Jews, to demonstrate that true neighborly love transcends ethnic and social boundaries. The Samaritan's compassion towards the injured man serves as a model for believers to follow, emphasizing that kindness should be extended to all, including strangers and the poor.

Throughout Scripture, the treatment of strangers is a reflection of one's relationship with God. In Matthew 25:35-40 , Jesus speaks of the final judgment, where acts of kindness towards "the least of these" are equated with serving Christ Himself: "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in." This passage highlights the eternal significance of showing mercy and hospitality to those in need.

In summary, the biblical mandate to show kindness to strangers, particularly the poor, is a recurring theme that underscores the values of empathy, justice, and love. Believers are called to reflect God's character by extending compassion and hospitality to all, recognizing that in doing so, they serve the Lord Himself.Leviticus 25:35-38
And if your brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with you; then you shall relieve him: yes, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with you.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Timothy v. 8
... are rather indebted to the poor man for receiving your kindness. ... exercise the healing
art more than the poor man, who ... "If she have received strangers, if she ...
/.../homily xiv 1 timothy v.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... The house originally taken for the Strangers' Rest having been ... there were many little
acts of kindness done then ... so feel as I stood round those poor sufferers. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

Of the Kinds of Beneficence, and Works of Mercy.
... of piety is the burying of strangers and the poor; which subject ... justice more consist
than in our affording to strangers through kindness, that which ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the kinds of.htm

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother ... nature, taught in the first instance
kindness to neighbours ... afterwards to enjoin it towards strangers; and when ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

"Who is My Neighbor?"
... to carry the Gospel to the people by acts of kindness. ... she said to me: "Papa, suppose
we were very poor, and mamma ... I had got a lot in the strangers' field for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter viii who is my.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... when, without any payment, through voluntary kindness, he expunges ... 5:20), is not
directed to strangers, but to ... iniquities by showing mercy to the poor," (Dan.4 ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... Poor, the, are our benefactors, [3691]455; men must ... Rulers, spotlessness required
in, [3792]438; Jewish, sinned ... Strangers, kindness to be shown to, [3865]455. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... be feared that many of them are very great strangers to a ... are to doubt or question
God's love and kindness to them ... to your door; the one is a poor, lame, wounded ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

The Second Continental Journey.
... Their kindness towards us exceeded description. ... Germany, where they know how to use
strangers with an ... in his tender mercy remember us his poor instruments, and ...
/.../chapter viii the second continental.htm

Exegetic.
... In this life he sojourns with strangers, but the land ... Await the loving-kindness of
Him Who is in truth ... demons who produce epilepsy, attacking the poor as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/ii exegetic.htm

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