GOD’S HEART FOR FOREIGNERS – LESSONS FOR US TODAY

at August 24, 2025

The incident of Jesus interacting with the Samaritan woman, reveals a lot about the undercurrents of discrimination employed by the Jews against Samaritans, and other such groups of people. This incident, and the parable of the Good Samaritan, reveals to us, how Jesus chose deliberately, to break this practice of discrimination, which in itself is an indication of, how God sees the people, the different races in the world, and how He wishes to treat them.
– “9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” – John 4:9
– “The deadly hatred that subsisted between these two nations [Jews and Samaritans] is known to all. The Jews cursed them, and believed them to be accursed. Their most merciful wish to the Samaritans was, that they might have no part in the resurrection; or, in other words, that they might be annihilated.” – Adam Clarke

The LORD, in His written Word, has precisely for this reason, commanded His people to love care and respect all. 
– “18…but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18
– “9 “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 23:9

God repeatedly commanded His people, even before they entered into the Promised land, through the law, that He gave to the Israelites, by the hand of Moses, His servant, commands them in clear and unambiguous terms, to love, serve, provide for, and share His Word with the “aliens,” “sojourners,” “foreigners,” or “strangers” living among them. 
– “God commanded Israel to show kindness and fairness towards those who they might not be kind towards by nature. In later times, some rabbis taught there was an obligation – or at least a permission – to hate one’s enemy. Here, fairness and kindness were commanded even to one who hates you – even as Jesus made clear in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).” – David Guzik commenting on Exodus 23:9

Israelites thought that, they are the only ones special to God, because they are the Chosen People of God. They were proud about this, in the sense of discriminating other people, as lesser than them. The Gentiles, were all bundled together as inferior races, and worthless people, because God had rejected them, and chose only them.

If what the Israelites believed was true, then the Bible is actively supporting racial supremacy and promoting it as God’s dealing with the fallen human race. This is a preposterous lie. Even a child when he reads the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, understand that the God of the Bible loves the whole world. He is concerned about the whole world. He cares for the sin, salvation and sanctification of the whole world. God does not discriminate anyone. God of the Bible does not promote ethno-centric supremacy, or exceptionalism of one race over the rest, in any sense of that sinful concept.
– “28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” – Acts 10:28
– “…the treatment of aliens outlined in Deuteronomy, emphasizing a compassionate, humanitarian ethic at the core of covenant life. Resident aliens are to be treated with justice, love, and dignity, reflecting God’s character. They are to be given fair judgment, equal rights to Sabbath rest, and inclusion in covenant ceremonies. Motivations for these commands include remembrance of Israel’s own alien experience in Egypt and the call to emulate God’s love for outsiders.” – Dr. Daniel Block

Pity, this is not the case in the history of the Chosen People, and even more sad, in the history of the redeemed people, called the Church. Hopefully it will change, though there are not many encouraging signs in that direction.

Let us look at some commands and guidelines from God Almighty, in regards to aliens, strangers and foreigners.
– ‘You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 22:21
– “So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 10:19
– “Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 23:9
– “Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. / Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.” – Deuteronomy 24:17-18
– “‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” – Deuteronomy 27:19
– “if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm,” – Jeremiah 7:6
– “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’” – Zechariah 7:10
– “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.” – Malachi 3:5
– “The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.” – Psalm 146:9
– “Father and mother are treated with contempt. Within your walls the foreign resident is exploited, the fatherless and the widow are oppressed.” – Ezekiel 22:7

Two lessons for us this day, even as Gaza conflict rages on, and also this idea of “chosenness” and exceptionalism, from Leviticus 19:33-37
– “33 ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. 34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 35 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. 36 You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37 Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the LORD.’ “ – Leviticus 19:33-37

1- THE FIRST LESSON FOR US TO LEARN 
– “‘When a foreigner resides with you in your land’ – This phrase acknowledges the presence of non-Israelites living among the Israelites. In the ancient Near East, it was common for people to migrate due to trade, famine, or conflict. The term “foreigner” refers to those who were not native-born Israelites but chose to live within the community. This reflects God’s inclusive nature and His concern for all humanity, not just Israel. The land is a significant theme in the Old Testament, representing God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:7). The presence of foreigners in the land highlights the universal scope of God’s covenant, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant (Ephesians 2:11-13).” – Berean Study Bible Notes

2- THE SECOND LESSON FOR US TO LEARN 
– “‘you must not oppress him’ – This command underscores the importance of justice and compassion in God’s law. Oppression of foreigners was a common issue in ancient societies, where outsiders often had no legal rights or protection. By instructing the Israelites not to oppress foreigners, God emphasizes His desire for His people to reflect His character of love and justice (Micah 6:8). This command is rooted in Israel’s own experience of oppression in Egypt (Exodus 22:21), reminding them of their past and encouraging empathy. It also points to the future ministry of Jesus Christ, who consistently reached out to marginalized groups and taught love for one’s neighbor (Luke 10:25-37).” – Berean Study Bible Notes

May we seek the LORD to obey Him implicitly and wholeheartedly. Let us seek to know the heart of God, and His righteous character. Let us seek the LORD to help us be like Him…
– “44 For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy…45 For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” – Leviticus 11:44-45
Even so, the LORD help us.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

God consistently shows concern for the marginalized, including foreigners. This reflects His character as compassionate and just…The command not to oppress foreigners underscores the biblical principle of justice and fair treatment for all, regardless of their background…Our treatment of others, especially those who are different from us, is a testament to our faith and obedience to God’s commands.

– – Berean Study Bible Notes