Intro

Yesterday our church participated in a simulcast screening of the excellent film “The Insanity of God”, which chronicles the lives of a couple and their children as they travel the world doing God’s work in some of the most hostile environments imaginable.  You can see the trailer on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX6SWxwKZSE

This story drives home the point that there is only one church, and all of us are called to be missionaries- some abroad, and some at home.  With all the post-election talk of walls and borders, of who belongs and who doesn’t, I thought it might be worthwhile to explore what the Bible has to say about those who cross our own “mission field” here in America.  Perhaps some of us have been fortunate enough to have the world come to us, instead of us going out into the world- a marvel of the resourcefulness of God!

Scripture

Leviticus 19:34 provides a clear command:

34 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.

As does Exodus 22:21

21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15 provides guidance for how they should be compensated:

14 Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15 Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

And in Jeremiah 7 God mentions treatment of foreigners in regards to both a warning and a blessing:

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message:

“‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. 3 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.

9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,[a] burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

Hebrews 13:2 offers up some intrigue:

2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

And for good measure 1 Peter 1:17 turns the whole notion on its head:

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Commentary

In addition to the above we also know that God created the world, and man in his image.  As such it is both his planet, and all are his people.  We also know that he has a plan and purpose for each one, and knew each before they were formed in the womb.  What I have been able to find in scripture gives clear mandates for treatment of travelers and immigrants, and then reminds us that in fact we are the strangers here- this is not our home.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, please share.

Be blessed.

K