In the ancient Israelite society, the treatment of strangers, or foreigners, was a significant aspect of the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew term often translated as "stranger" is "ger," which refers to a non-Israelite residing among the Israelites. The laws concerning the treatment of these individuals reflect a divine mandate for compassion and justice, emphasizing the importance of providing relief to strangers in times of distress.

Biblical Mandate for Compassion

The Israelites were commanded to remember their own history as strangers in Egypt, which served as a moral foundation for their treatment of foreigners. In Exodus 22:21 , the Lord instructs, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This commandment underscores the principle of empathy and the moral obligation to treat strangers with kindness and fairness.

Provision and Protection

The Mosaic Law includes specific provisions to ensure the welfare of strangers. Leviticus 19:9-10 commands, "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. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This law ensured that the basic needs of the poor and the foreigner were met, allowing them to glean from the fields and vineyards.

Furthermore, Deuteronomy 10:18-19 highlights God's character as a defender of the vulnerable: "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." This passage not only commands the Israelites to provide for the physical needs of strangers but also to extend love and acceptance.

Judicial Fairness

The legal system in Israel was designed to protect the rights of strangers, ensuring they received fair treatment. Deuteronomy 24:17 states, "Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security." This law emphasizes the importance of impartiality and justice, prohibiting any form of discrimination against foreigners in legal matters.

Inclusion in Religious Life

Strangers were also included in the religious life of Israel, which was central to the community's identity. In Numbers 15:14-16 , the law provides that, "And if a foreigner resides with you or someone else is among you and wants to offer a food offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he is to do just 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." This inclusion signifies the openness of the covenant community to those who were not ethnically Israelite but who chose to worship the God of Israel.

Conclusion

The laws concerning strangers in Israel reflect a divine call to justice, compassion, and inclusion. By providing for the needs of foreigners and ensuring their fair treatment, the Israelites were to embody the character of God, who is just and merciful. These laws serve as a testament to the ethical and moral standards that were to govern the community, highlighting the importance of caring for those in distress, regardless of their origin.Leviticus 25:35
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and ...
... together, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who only ... of the inhabitants of the
city, but of strangers and corrupt ... were brought up in the same laws, they have ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.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

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... and to those diseases to which they were heretofore strangers. ... the "lost sheep of
the house of Israel." So strong ... to coerce the people by civil laws," &c., &c. ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... I am with you always,' would desert them among strangers. ... and tyrannical woman, whose
laws were as ... me to pray thus unconditionally respecting temporal concerns ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.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

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, have ... come, and carnal sense,
are such strangers one to ... men told Christian, that as to laws and ordinances ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

part i
... thoughts, so that until now these laws are followed ... all your thoughts, hears all
your heartfelt distress and sighs ... be there; you will feel so relieved, and will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril,
or sword," [746] or money, or the sweetness of food and drink, or a luxurious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

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