How does Deuteronomy 23:15 guide our treatment of those seeking refuge? The Passage “Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.” (Deuteronomy 23:15) Historical Snapshot • Israel is on the verge of entering the land. • God is forming a society distinct from surrounding nations—one that mirrors His character. • In neighboring cultures, runaway slaves were routinely captured and returned; God commands Israel to do the opposite. Key Observations • The command is unconditional—“Do not return.” No loopholes, no bargaining. • “Taken refuge” points to a person fleeing harm or oppression, not mere inconvenience. • Protection is immediate and personal: the responsibility falls on “you,” the individual and the community. • Verse 16 (the next line) adds positive duty: “Let him live among you wherever he chooses…do not oppress him.” Principle Established God values the life and dignity of the vulnerable above property rights or social convention. The one seeking refuge becomes the priority. Practical Implications Today • Offer safety first, questions later. Shelter and basic needs come before paperwork or status checks. • Refuge is holistic—physical, emotional, spiritual. Listening ears and open doors go together. • Oppression can be legal, social, or economic. God’s people actively resist all forms. • Hospitality may cost us comfort, resources, or reputation, yet obedience outweighs those costs. Supporting Scriptures • Exodus 22:21 – “You must not exploit or oppress a foreigner, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” • Isaiah 16:3-4 – “Hide the outcasts; do not betray the fugitive.” • Psalm 146:9 – “The LORD protects strangers; He sustains the fatherless and the widow.” • Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.” • Matthew 25:35 – “I was a stranger and you took Me in.” • Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Living It Out • Keep an open home, an open schedule, and an open heart; refuge rarely announces its arrival. • Support ministries and laws that safeguard the oppressed rather than repatriate them to danger. • Teach children, churches, and communities that welcoming the vulnerable is a non-negotiable mark of God’s people. • Remember: every act of protection is ultimately service to Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40). Take-Home Truth When a hurting soul seeks refuge, God’s Word leaves no wiggle room: receive, protect, and honor them—because that is exactly what He has done for us. |
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