In the biblical context, "strangers" or "foreigners" refer to non-Israelites residing within the land of Israel. The Hebrew term often used is "ger," which denotes a sojourner or temporary resident. The treatment and status of these individuals are significant themes throughout the Old Testament, reflecting God's inclusive love and justice.

Divine Mandate for Care

The Law of Moses explicitly commands the Israelites to treat strangers with kindness and fairness. This mandate is rooted in the Israelites' own history as foreigners in Egypt. In Exodus 22:21 , God instructs, "You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This command is reiterated in Leviticus 19:33-34 : "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."

Legal Protections and Rights

Strangers in Israel were granted certain legal protections and rights, reflecting God's justice and care. They were to be included in the community's religious and social life. Deuteronomy 10:18-19 highlights God's care for the foreigner: "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt."

Strangers were also entitled to glean from the fields during harvest, as stated in Leviticus 23:22 : "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. I am the LORD your God."

Religious Inclusion

The inclusion of strangers extended to religious practices. They were allowed to participate in certain religious observances, such as the Passover, provided they adhered to the covenantal sign of circumcision (Exodus 12:48-49). This inclusion underscores the universal scope of God's covenant and His desire for all nations to know Him.

Prophetic Vision

The prophets of Israel often reiterated the call to justice and compassion for strangers. In Zechariah 7:10 , the prophet admonishes, "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil in your hearts against one another." This prophetic vision aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's kingdom, where justice and righteousness prevail.

New Testament Continuation

The New Testament continues the theme of care for strangers, emphasizing hospitality and love. Hebrews 13:2 exhorts believers, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This reflects the early Christian community's commitment to welcoming all, regardless of their background.

In summary, the biblical treatment of strangers in Israel reveals a consistent divine mandate for care, protection, and inclusion, reflecting God's character and His desire for His people to embody His love and justice.Deuteronomy 10:18
He does execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 146:9
The LORD preserves the strangers; he relieves the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Bitterness and Blessedness of the Brevity of Life
... above English soil, as it would have done under the shadow ... the land is Mine, for
ye are strangers and sojourners ... to God, as in regard to Israel's possession of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the bitterness and blessedness of.htm

The Lord's Supper
... There were always great crowds of strangers in Jerusalem at ... he said to Saul, the
first king of Israel, by the ... They are already under the care and protection of ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the lords supper.htm

Sin Charged Upon the Surety
... All are under the power of sin, and all equally strangers to the ... His Church in the
wilderness, and was known by the name the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 54:5 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xx sin charged upon.htm

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... of their voyage, the centurion with the prisoners under his care ... of Paul were not
calculated to induce strangers to court an ... "For the hope of Israel," he says I ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm

Jewish Rejecters and Gentile Receivers
... Who were these wandering strangers that they should gather such a ... 'Taking God's word
under wise protection ... servant of Jehovah and the collective Israel, is such ...
/.../jewish rejecters and gentile receivers.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... by the whole world, even by strangers whom they ... of the kings of Judah and Israel,
whom the ... In punishment, resting under God's wrath, thou must remain unfit for ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... were permitted to worship the God of Israel, and to ... have a right to interfere any
farther, under the pretext ... habits not seldom appear to be strangers to vital ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... They did not indeed speak as Israel did, [4404] for ... in the see, and still somewhat
under the influence of ... of the poor, the entertainment of strangers, the care ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

The Catholic Epistles.
... churches scattered throughout the world the true "Israel of God ... He exhorts them as
strangers and pilgrims to abstain ... writes to those who are under his spiritual ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxi the catholic epistles.htm

The Third Continental Journey.
... a little startled at the appearance of strangers, whose language ... care of the great
Shepherd of Israel, we obtained ... The schools under their care are the most ...
/.../chapter xii the third continental.htm

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