"Remember That You Were Once Foreigners ... "
- Trish Gelbaugh
- Mar 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 14
This is Part 3 of a 9-Part Series on Immigration
After many years, God asked Moses to return to Egypt and ask Pharaoh to release the Israelites. They eventually fled Egypt and spent 40 years wandering in the desert before finally returning to The Promised Land (Israel).
During this time, God gave Moses and the Israelites 613 laws (beginning with the 10 Commandments) that they were to follow as outlined in the Books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Included in these laws were very clear instructions as to how they were to treat foreigners and it's safe to say that you can't read them without acquiring an understanding of, and appreciation for, God's heart toward immigrants. He clearly recognized that they were at a distinct disadvantage and dependent upon the kindness and generosity of others, and He made provisions for that. The following is a brief summary:
They should be included.
They were to be included in significant cultural celebrations and practices. (Exodus 20:10, Deuteronomy 5:14, Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14, Deuteronomy 26:11)
They should be treated with dignity and respect:
Do not oppress or mistreat them. (Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9)
Do not exploit them or take advantage of them. (Leviticus 19:33-34)
Do not take advantage of their labor (i.e. - "migrant workers"). (Deuteronomy 24:14)
They should be treated as equals. There were even "anti-discrimination" laws in place to ensure immigrants were treated fairly and equally (Deuteronomy 1:16, Deuteronomy 24:17)
Immigrants were required to be respectful of the Israelites' faith, but they were not forced or required to convert from their own beliefs. I guess you could say God ensured that they had "Freedom of Religion", similar to our First Amendment to the Constitution (Numbers 9:14, Numbers 15:14)
They should be cared and provided for. There were even "social programs" established under the law in order to ensure that they were properly provided for:
The people were to provide food, shelter, and clothing for them. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Leviticus 25:35)
The people were to set aside an allotment of land where foreigners could live. (Numbers 35:15, Joshua 20:9)
People were to leave a portion of all of their crops unharvested so the foreigners, widows, and orphans could harvest them. (Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:19-21)
Every 3 years, they were supposed to set aside a special tithe (10% of all goods produced) (in addition to their regular tithe) for religious/spiritual leaders, foreigners, orphans, and widows - in other words, all of those who didn't own property and were at a particular disadvantage. (Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 26:12-13)
One of the things I find most interesting about these laws is that they applied to future generations, not just the generation that had been foreigners in Egypt. By the time the Israelites actually entered The Promised Land, a full generation had passed, so God repeatedly uses phrases like "remember you were once foreigners too" or "do not forget you were once foreigners too" even though the ones following these laws would not have been the "foreigners"; their ancestors would have been. In other words, even if they themselves had not lived as an immigrant, God expected them to remember that their ancestors had, and to demonstrate generous hospitality as a result. In the United States, we are a nation of immigrants; unless you are 100% Native American, you are a descendant of immigrants. So it stands to reason that God would hold us to a similar standard of hospitality and compassion today.
Most of the Old Testament laws were supposed to apply to both natives and foreigners. In other words, if someone is going to immigrate to another country, they have to follow the rules and laws of that country. That seems obvious - and fair - and is stressed throughout the Mosaic Laws. (Exodus 12:49, Leviticus 16:29, Leviticus 17:12, Leviticus 18:26, Leviticus 20:2, Leviticus 22:18, Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15-16, Numbers 15:29, Deuteronomy 31:12)
However, in the United States, we have laws preventing immigrants from even coming here legally in the first place. That is why many people still refer to them as "illegal immigrants" as opposed to "undocumented immigrants"; they are already in violation of the law simply by coming here. (I recognize these laws can be a point of contention, so there will be more to come on that in a future post!)
Just as there were promises (and warnings!) attached to those who encountered the patriarchs as they immigrated to a promised land, there were also promises (and warnings!) attached to their descendants depending upon whether or not they treated foreigners the way they would have wanted to be treated.
As Americans, I sometimes wonder how well God thinks we are doing in terms of keeping and maintaining the Spirit of the Law ... Christian or not, Republican or Democrat. I also frequently question how well we, as Christians, are living up to His expectations, particularly when it comes to our politics around immigration policies. The Christian right wants to believe that "their faith informs their politics" ... but when it comes to immigration policies, I am sometimes puzzled as to how that could be possible.
We have many people who want to immigrate to the United States, and that has caused problems at our border, regardless of which political party is in control. We have two extremes battling contentiously; there are those on the right chanting "Build That Wall", while many on the left want to deny that there is even a problem at the border. It would be nice for Americans to respectfully agree that we have a problem - and that it is a problem that neither party has been handling very well - so that we can begin working together to ensure that people who want to come here are welcomed and cared for ... and that begins by acknowledging that it is a responsibility that all Americans must bear - not just those who live near a border.
"Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 19:34
© I Lift My Voice, 2025
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