One of the most powerful and recurring themes in the Old Testament is God's command to the Israelites to remember their own history as "foreigners in Egypt." This collective memory was not merely a historical note; it was a profound call to empathy.
Exodus 22:21 NIV Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
Leviticus 19:33-34 NIV [33] ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. [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.
This isn't just about a historical event; it's a spiritual principle. By recalling their own vulnerability and reliance on God's grace during their time as outsiders, the Israelites were meant to cultivate a deep sense of understanding and welcome for others in similar situations. It's a reminder that we, too, in our spiritual journeys, are often "sojourners" seeking a home.
A Call to Justice and Protection
Beyond empathy, the Bible portrays God as an active defender of the marginalized, a category that consistently includes the foreigner, alongside the widow and the orphan.
Psalms 146:9 NIV The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Zechariah 7:8-10 NIV [8] And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: [9] “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. [10] Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’
These are not passive suggestions; they are divine mandates for how God's people are to act in the world, reflecting His own character of justice and love.
Welcoming the Stranger as Christ
The New Testament amplifies this call to care, with Jesus Himself modeling and commanding radical hospitality.
Matthew 25:35-46 NIV [35] 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, [36] 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.’ [37] “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ [40] “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ [41] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ [44] “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ [45] “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ [46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
This passage elevates the act of welcoming a stranger to an encounter with Christ Himself. The early church also continued this tradition.
Romans 12:9-13 NIV [9] Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. [11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (emphasis mine)
Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV [1] Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. [2] Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. [3] Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (emphasis mine)
Equality and Dignity A Single Standard for All
The biblical mandate extends to ensuring equal treatment and justice for foreigners within society. The Law of Moses was clear.
Leviticus 24:22 NIV You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God.’ ”
Deuteronomy 27:19 NIV “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
This principle is rooted in the fundamental truth that all humanity is created in the image of God possessing inherent dignity and worth, irrespective of their origin or status.
Genesis 1:26-27 NIV [26] Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” [27] So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Aligning Our Hearts with God's Will
The biblical narrative itself is a testament to migration, from Abraham's journey (Genesis 3) to the Israelites' exodus, (Exodus-Deuteronomy) and even Jesus and His family's flight to Egypt as refugees.
Matthew 2:13-15 NIV [13] When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [14] So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, [15] where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
These stories remind us that movement and new beginnings are woven into the fabric of faith.
Ultimately, while the Bible does not dictate modern immigration policies, it provides a robust ethical framework built on compassion, justice, and hospitality. Maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. It demands regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. Allowing these timeless principles to shape our perspectives and actions towards immigrants are actions that are aligned with God’s will as shown in scripture. This ongoing journey encourages us to seek understanding, extend grace, and actively embody God's love in our fractured world.