In ancient Israel, the treatment and status of strangers, or "sojourners," were significant aspects of the civil and religious life of the nation. The Hebrew term for stranger, "ger," refers to a foreigner residing temporarily or permanently among the Israelites. The Mosaic Law provided specific guidelines on how these individuals were to be treated, ensuring justice and compassion while maintaining the distinctiveness of the Israelite community.

Equal Justice Under the Law

Strangers in Israel were subject to the same civil laws as native Israelites, ensuring that justice was applied uniformly. Leviticus 24:22 states, "You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the principle of equality before the law, reflecting God's impartiality and justice.

Participation in Religious Observances

While strangers were subject to civil laws, they were also invited to participate in certain religious observances, provided they adhered to the same requirements as the Israelites. For example, Exodus 12:49 declares, "The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you," specifically in the context of the Passover. This inclusion highlights the openness of the covenant community to those who embraced its tenets.

Protection and Fair Treatment

The Mosaic Law emphasized the protection and fair treatment of strangers, reflecting God's concern for the vulnerable. Exodus 22:21 commands, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This directive served as a reminder of Israel's own history and the importance of empathy and justice.

Access to Justice

Strangers were granted access to the judicial system, ensuring they could seek redress and protection under the law. Deuteronomy 1:16 instructs, "And at that time I charged your judges: 'Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident.'" This provision ensured that strangers received a fair hearing and justice in legal matters.

Prohibition of Discrimination

The law explicitly prohibited discrimination against strangers, reinforcing the principle of equality. Leviticus 19:34 commands, "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 commandment not only mandated fair treatment but also called for a deeper love and acceptance of strangers.

Economic Rights

Strangers were also afforded certain economic rights, such as the ability to glean in the fields. Leviticus 23:22 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God." This provision ensured that strangers had access to sustenance and were not left destitute.

In summary, the laws respecting strangers in Israel were designed to integrate them into the community while upholding justice, compassion, and the distinctiveness of the Israelite identity. These laws reflect a divine mandate for equality, protection, and love for all individuals, regardless of their origin.Leviticus 24:22
You shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Law of God
... 14, 15;) yet so as that even strangers might be ... the whole community of the Children
of Israel might be ... distinguished from other nations who had their own laws. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 12 the law of.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... foundations, to give and sell them to strangers at Rome ... The children of Israel in
old times kept the ... treat Christ's poor people, imposing many laws and keeping ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... Israel Holly's "An Appeal to the Impartial, or the Censured ... All strangers coming
into the state were allowed, a ... by dropping it out of the revised laws of 1784. ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... the design of Christ, and the subject of which ... and commandedst them precepts, statutes,
and laws, by the ... Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... the Lord anciently enjoined the people of Israel that they ... the souls of believers
by their laws, whether justly ... Cor.5:20), is not directed to strangers, but to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... had been accused of violating the laws, scourged in ... the unsolicited offices of love
to strangers; to impart ... but acknowledged and worshipped the God of Israel. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... a perfect hatred, not as Englishmen, not as strangers, but as ... We conceive that all
human laws that are not for ... say there was no more men in Israel, when they ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... of the position of Augustine respecting Predestination and ... the enforcement of terrible
but salutary laws, and are ... begun to be possessed by strangers, to bring ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... condemned by the whole world, even by strangers whom they ... examples of the kings of
Judah and Israel, whom the ... of the world, and have admirable laws and statutes ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... be multiplied to you, and to the Israel of God ... and receive them as ourselves; " not
as strangers, but as ... shall have authority to make by laws for regulating ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

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