How can we empathize with foreigners as Exodus 23:9 instructs us to do? The Call to Empathy Exodus 23:9: “You must not oppress a foreign resident; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” Understanding Exodus 23:9 • God grounds the command in Israel’s own story: saved out of Egyptian oppression, they know firsthand the sting of being outsiders. • The verb “know” in Hebrew (yādaʿ) implies intimate, lived experience; empathy is not theoretical but personal. • “Must not oppress” is absolute. No loopholes. Obedience expresses trust in God’s justice and care. Why God Commands Empathy 1. Reminder of His Character • Deuteronomy 10:18-19—He “executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner.” • Imitating Him glorifies Him. 2. Protection of the Vulnerable • Leviticus 19:33-34 links love for the sojourner to loving “yourself.” • Foreigners lack the natural safety nets of clan, land, and language. 3. Witness to the Nations • Israel’s compassionate law contrasted pagan society; today the church’s obedience highlights the gospel’s power (1 Peter 2:12). Practical Ways to Live It Out • Remember Your Own Story – Reflect on past moments of outsider-status (new job, school, neighborhood). – Let that memory soften your heart toward immigrants, refugees, international students. • Engage Personally – Learn names and greet warmly (Romans 16:16). – Share a meal; hospitality breaks barriers (Hebrews 13:2). – Offer help navigating local systems—school forms, stores, transit. • Speak Up Fairly – Refuse jokes or comments that demean foreigners (Ephesians 4:29). – Advocate truthfully when you see mistreatment (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Use Gifts God Has Given – Language skills: translate or tutor. – Professional resources: legal advice, medical guidance, job networking (Galatians 6:10). • Include in Worship and Fellowship – Provide translation, bilingual songs, or simpler explanations. – Invite participation, not just attendance (Colossians 3:11). Rooted in Christ’s Example • Philippians 2:5-8—Jesus “emptied Himself,” entering our world as the true “sojourner” to redeem us. • Matthew 25:35—He identifies with the stranger: “I was a stranger and you welcomed Me.” • Our empathy flows from union with Him; we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). A Heart Check • Ask: Am I treating foreigners as burdens or as image-bearers God loves? • Measure compassion not by feelings alone but by concrete, sacrificial action (James 2:15-17). • Trust that obedience brings blessing: “The generous will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25, adapted). God’s Word is clear, literal, and binding: having once been spiritual foreigners now welcomed into His household (Ephesians 2:19), we extend the same grace to every stranger in our midst. |
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