Why does Deuteronomy 10:19 emphasize loving foreigners, referencing Israel's past in Egypt? The Command in Focus: Deuteronomy 10:19 “So you must love the foreigner, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” Why the Reminder of Egypt? • Shared Experience: Israel’s own history of suffering under Pharaoh supplies an unforgettable reference point. • Empathy Engineered: God anchors the command in something they personally felt—alienation, injustice, and longing for deliverance. • Covenant Continuity: The God who redeemed them demands that the redeemed reflect His character toward the vulnerable. God’s Heart on Display • Exodus 22:21 — “You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident…” • Leviticus 19:33-34 — “You shall love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” • Psalm 146:9 — “The LORD protects the foreigner…” Scripture shows a consistent, literal concern for the outsider, mirroring God’s mercy and justice. What This Meant for Ancient Israel • Legal Protection: Foreigners shared in the Sabbath rest (Exodus 23:12) and gleanings (Leviticus 23:22). • Spiritual Inclusion: They could bring offerings (Numbers 15:15-16). • Social Witness: A nation once oppressed now modeled divine compassion before watching nations (Deuteronomy 4:6-8). Echoes in the New Testament • Matthew 25:35 — “I was a stranger and you welcomed Me.” • Ephesians 2:12-13, 19 — Gentiles, once “foreigners,” become “fellow citizens with the saints.” • Hebrews 13:2 — “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” Timeless Takeaways • Remember Your Rescue: Gratitude for redemption fuels compassion. • Mirror God’s Character: Love for the outsider is not optional; it is obedience. • Extend the Covenant Ethic: The call to love foreigners travels from Sinai to the Church, unchanged in its authority and urgency. |
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