The Bible has a lot to say about how we should treat people from other countries. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God's message is clear: we should show kindness and love to foreigners, strangers, and immigrants. These verses teach us that God cares deeply about how we treat those who are different from us or far from home.
God's Command to Love Foreigners
God doesn't just suggest that we be nice to foreigners. He actually commands it. Throughout the Bible, God tells His people to treat strangers with the same respect and kindness they would want for themselves.
"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
— Leviticus 19:33-34
This verse gives us a clear command. God tells His people to treat foreigners just like they would treat their own family and neighbors. The reason is important: the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt. God wants them to remember what it felt like to be strangers in a strange land.
"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt."
— Deuteronomy 10:18-19
This passage shows us God's heart. He loves foreigners and takes care of their basic needs. Because God loves foreigners, we should too. God reminds His people again that they were once foreigners themselves, so they should understand and care.
Equal Treatment Under the Law
In Bible times, God made sure that foreigners received fair treatment. The law applied to everyone equally, whether they were born in Israel or came from somewhere else.
"You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God."
— Leviticus 24:22
God's law was the same for everyone. Foreigners had the same rights and responsibilities as native-born Israelites. This teaches us that God values fairness and doesn't show favoritism based on where someone was born.
"Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge."
— Deuteronomy 24:17
God protects those who are most vulnerable in society. This includes foreigners who might not have family nearby to help them. God wants His people to make sure everyone gets treated fairly, especially those who don't have much power.
Why Does God Care So Much About Foreigners?
The Bible mentions caring for foreigners, strangers, and immigrants more than 90 times! This isn't just a small detail. It's a major theme throughout Scripture.
God cares about foreigners because they are often vulnerable. They may not know the language, understand the culture, or have family to help them. God has always had a special concern for people who are weak or powerless, and foreigners often fit into this category.
Sharing Resources with Foreigners
God didn't just tell His people to be polite to foreigners. He told them to share their food and resources with them.
"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God."
— Leviticus 23:22
God told farmers to leave some of their crops in the field so that poor people and foreigners could gather food for themselves. This shows practical kindness. It helped foreigners have dignity by letting them work for their food while making sure they didn't go hungry.
"When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."
— Deuteronomy 24:19
God promised to bless those who shared with foreigners. When we take care of people who need help, God takes notice and rewards our generosity.
Warnings Against Mistreating Foreigners
God doesn't take it lightly when His people mistreat foreigners. The Bible includes strong warnings about treating strangers badly.
"Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt."
— Exodus 23:9
God tells His people not to oppress or take advantage of foreigners. The word "oppress" means to treat someone unfairly or cruelly. God reminds them that they know what it's like to be treated badly as foreigners, so they should never do that to others.
"Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow."
— Deuteronomy 27:19
This verse shows how serious God is about justice for foreigners. Being unfair to strangers brings God's disapproval. God wants His people to stand up for foreigners and make sure they're treated right.
Jesus and Welcoming Strangers
Jesus continued this teaching in the New Testament. He showed through His actions and words that we should welcome and care for strangers.
"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 invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
— Matthew 25:35-36
Jesus says that when we welcome strangers, we're actually welcoming Him. This is powerful! It means that every time we show kindness to someone who is far from home, we're serving Jesus Himself.
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
— Hebrews 13:2
This verse reminds us that we never know who we might be helping when we welcome strangers. Sometimes God sends special people into our lives to test our kindness. Being welcoming to strangers is always the right choice.
The Example of Ruth
One of the most beautiful stories in the Bible is about Ruth, a foreigner from Moab. When she came to Israel, she had nothing. But Boaz showed her kindness and protected her, following God's commands about treating foreigners well.
Ruth's story shows us that foreigners can become valued members of the community. In fact, Ruth became part of Jesus's family line! Her story proves that God welcomes everyone, no matter where they come from.
Breaking Down Barriers
The New Testament teaches that in Christ, there are no barriers between people from different countries or backgrounds.
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
— Galatians 3:28
Paul teaches that in God's family, it doesn't matter where we come from. Whether we're Jewish or Gentile (non-Jewish), we're all equal in Christ. This breaks down the walls between different groups of people.
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household."
— Ephesians 2:19
This verse tells us that when we believe in Jesus, we all become part of God's family. None of us are strangers anymore. We all belong together as brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter what country we're from.
Practical Application for Today
What do these Bible verses mean for us today? How should we treat foreigners, immigrants, and people from other countries?
- Show kindness and respect: Treat people from other countries the way you would want to be treated if you were in a foreign land. Be welcoming and friendly.
- Fight for justice: Stand up for immigrants and foreigners when they're treated unfairly. Make sure they get the same respect and rights as everyone else.
- Share your resources: Be generous with people who are new to your country or community. Help them find what they need, whether it's food, housing, or friendship.
- Remember we're all foreigners: Christians are supposed to see themselves as foreigners on earth because our real home is in heaven. This should help us understand how foreigners feel.
- See people as God sees them: God loves everyone the same, no matter where they're from. We should try to see people through God's eyes.
- Practice hospitality: Open your home and your heart to people from other cultures. Learn about their backgrounds and celebrate diversity.
We Were All Strangers Once
The Bible keeps reminding us that God's people were once foreigners in Egypt. They knew what it was like to be mistreated and exploited. This experience was supposed to teach them compassion.
As Christians, we should remember that we were once "foreigners to the covenants of promise" (Ephesians 2:12). God welcomed us into His family even though we were outsiders. This should motivate us to welcome others.
Conclusion
The Bible's message about treating foreigners is clear and consistent. From the earliest books of the Old Testament to the letters of the New Testament, God commands His people to love, protect, and welcome strangers.
This isn't just about being nice. It's about justice, compassion, and recognizing that every person is made in God's image. When we welcome foreigners, we're showing the same kind of love that God showed us when He welcomed us into His family.
Today, we might encounter foreigners as immigrants, refugees, international students, or travelers. No matter who they are or where they come from, God calls us to treat them with dignity, kindness, and love. When we do this, we're following God's heart and showing the world what it means to live like Jesus.
Remember, in God's kingdom, there are no foreigners. We're all part of one family, welcomed by a God who loves every person equally, no matter where they were born.