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Strangers in Israel

Scripture reveals God's heart for foreigners living among His people Israel, requiring them to be treated with justice and extending covenant privileges to those who believed. This principle extends to the church today, calling believers to welcome and minister to strangers in their midst.

Overview

Throughout the Old Testament, God established laws protecting strangers (foreigners) dwelling in Israel, requiring they be treated fairly and granted certain religious privileges. God Himself identified with their condition (Deuteronomy 10:18), and His people were reminded they had been strangers in Egypt. The New Testament reveals Christ's work removed barriers between Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling God's inclusive purpose.

Key Scriptures

"Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness." (1 Kings 8:41-43, ESV). "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the barrier of enmity" (Ephesians 2:14, ESV). "One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you" (Exodus 12:49, ESV).

Application

Believers should actively extend God's love and the gospel to foreigners and immigrants, recognizing that Christ's sacrifice welcomes all nations into God's family.

Scripture References 40

1 Kings 8:41 1 Kings 8:42 1 Kings 8:43 Ephesians 2:14 Revelation 11:2 Exodus 12:49 Deuteronomy 14:21 Deuteronomy 21:10 Leviticus 25:44 Leviticus 25:45 Leviticus 17:8 Leviticus 22:18 Numbers 15:14 Leviticus 25:47 Leviticus 25:48 Exodus 22:21 Exodus 23:9 Deuteronomy 17:15 Exodus 22:21 Exodus 23:9 Leviticus 19:33 Leviticus 24:16 Leviticus 17:10 Leviticus 17:11 Leviticus 17:12 Exodus 12:43 Exodus 12:44 Leviticus 20:2 Exodus 20:10 Exodus 23:12 Deuteronomy 5:14 1 Kings 8:41 1 Kings 7:13 1 Kings 9:27 Leviticus 24:22 Psalms 94:6 Ezekiel 22:7 Ezekiel 22:29 Leviticus 25:44 Leviticus 25:45

Full Topical Reference List 70 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Admitted to worship in the outer court of the temple

1 Kings 8:41 1 Kings 8:42 1 Kings 8:43 Ephesians 2:14 Revelation 11:2

All foreigners sojourning in Israel were counted as

Exodus 12:49

Allowed to eat what died of itself

Deuteronomy 14:21

Captives taken in war

Deuteronomy 21:10

Foreign servants

Leviticus 25:44 Leviticus 25:45

Might offer their burnt-offerings on the altar of God

Leviticus 17:8 Leviticus 22:18 Numbers 15:14

Might purchase Hebrew servants subject to release

Leviticus 25:47 Leviticus 25:48

Motives urged on the Jews for being kind to

Exodus 22:21 Exodus 23:9

Not to be chosen as kings in Israel

Deuteronomy 17:15

Not to be vexed or oppressed

Exodus 22:21 Exodus 23:9 Leviticus 19:33

Not to blaspheme God

Leviticus 24:16

Not to eat blood

Leviticus 17:10 Leviticus 17:11 Leviticus 17:12

Not to eat the passover while uncircumcised

Exodus 12:43 Exodus 12:44

Not to practise idolatrous rites

Not to work on the Sabbath

Deuteronomy 5:14 Exodus 20:10 Exodus 23:12

Persons who came into Israel for the sake of religious privileges

1 Kings 8:41

Persons who sought employment among the Jews

1 Kings 7:13 1 Kings 9:27

Subject to the civil law

Leviticus 24:22

The Jews condemned for oppressing

Ezekiel 22:7 Ezekiel 22:29 Psalms 94:6

The Jews might purchase and have them as slaves

Leviticus 25:44 Leviticus 25:45

The Jews might take usury from

Deuteronomy 23:20

The remnant of the mixed multitude who came out of Egypt

Exodus 12:38

The remnant of the nations of the land

1 Kings 9:20 2 Chronicles 8:7

To be loved

Deuteronomy 10:19 Leviticus 19:34

To be relieved in distress

Leviticus 25:35

To enjoy the benefit of the cities of refuge

Numbers 35:15

To have justice done to them in all disputes

Deuteronomy 1:16 Deuteronomy 24:17

To have the gleaning of the harvest

Deuteronomy 24:19 Deuteronomy 24:20 Deuteronomy 24:21 Deuteronomy 24:22 Leviticus 19:10 Leviticus 23:22

To have the law read to them

Deuteronomy 31:12 Joshua 8:32 Joshua 8:33 Joshua 8:34 Joshua 8:35

To participate in the rejoicings of the people

Deuteronomy 14:29 Deuteronomy 16:11 Deuteronomy 16:14 Deuteronomy 26:11

Under the care and protection of God

Deuteronomy 10:18 Psalms 146:9

Very numerous in Solomon's reign

2 Chronicles 2:17

Were frequently employed in public works

1 Chronicles 22:2 2 Chronicles 2:18

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