In the biblical context, "strangers" often refers to foreigners or sojourners residing among the Israelites. The treatment of these individuals is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, with specific instructions given to the Israelites on how to interact with them. The oppression of strangers is explicitly condemned, and the Bible provides numerous directives to ensure their fair and compassionate treatment.

Old Testament Instructions

The Old Testament contains several laws and commandments regarding the treatment of strangers. In Exodus 22:21 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This directive is rooted in the collective memory of Israel's own experience as strangers in Egypt, emphasizing empathy and justice.

Leviticus 19:33-34 further instructs, "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 not only prohibits oppression but also calls for love and equality, elevating the treatment of strangers to a moral imperative.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also address the issue of oppressing strangers, often linking it to broader themes of justice and righteousness. In Jeremiah 7:5-7 , the prophet warns, "For if you really change your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, if you no longer oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever."

Similarly, Ezekiel 22:7 lists the oppression of strangers among the sins of Jerusalem, stating, "In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the foreigner; in you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow." The prophets consistently highlight the mistreatment of strangers as a sign of societal corruption and a departure from God's commandments.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues the theme of welcoming and caring for strangers, though it often broadens the concept to include all those in need. In Matthew 25:35 , Jesus speaks of the righteous, saying, "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 underscores the importance of hospitality and kindness, equating the treatment of strangers with service to Christ Himself.

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 exhortation reflects the continued emphasis on welcoming strangers and the potential blessings that come from such acts of kindness.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical injunctions against oppressing strangers carry significant moral and ethical implications. They call for a society that values justice, compassion, and empathy, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their origin. The consistent biblical narrative urges believers to remember their own vulnerabilities and to extend grace and mercy to those who are foreign or marginalized.Ezekiel 22:29
The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yes, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
Nave's Topical Index

Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, said the LORD of hosts.
Nave's Topical Index

The Jewish Rebellions
... They were strangers and pilgrims (as St. ... of man for the Lord's sake; and trust to
Christ, their true King in heaven, to deliver them from oppression, and free ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xv the jewish rebellions.htm

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... think a desolate country, burnt cities, desolation made by strangers, a sufficient ...
"Every one loves gifts." Covetousness, then, and oppression proves rulers to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

Introduction
... perseverance with which they bore their privations and hardships "as strangers and
pilgrims ... to let the people seek an asylum from their oppression where alone ...
/.../bangs/a history of the methodist episcopal church volume i/introduction.htm

The Growth of the Church. The Dawn of the Second Century was Full ...
... of his reign, the Christians had no reason to complain of imperial oppression. ... of
difference of customs, would have no common hearth with strangers, now, since ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the growth of.htm

Of Extraneous Judgments.
... judgments, because it is not fit that he should be judged by strangers, who ought
to ... and an appellant ought to be injured by no kind of oppression or detention ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of extraneous judgments.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... God has overruled it, as he did in the case of Pharaoh's oppression of the ... Your residing
among strangers, when you would far rather find a more congenial home ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... They did not object to hear and to criticise the strangers, and were ... they complained
bitterly to their friends in England, and such oppression was listed among ...
/.../chapter vii the saybrook platform.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... Of Ephraim the prophet testified, "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he ... Against
the marked oppression, the flagrant injustice, the unwonted luxury and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... They set out exultingly, glad to escape from the intolerable oppression of Pharaoh,
who ... Pharaoh crushed even his own Egyptians, and much more the strangers. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

The Good Samaritan
... no doubt as to the heathen and the Samaritans; these were strangers and enemies. ...
they are prepared to co-operate with men in relieving oppression and suffering ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 54 the good samaritan.htm

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