In the biblical narrative, the relationship between the Jews and strangers, or foreigners, is complex and multifaceted. The term "strangers" often refers to non-Israelites or Gentiles who lived among or interacted with the Jewish people. While the Jews were chosen by God as His covenant people, their interactions with strangers were marked by both divine instruction and human failure.

Biblical Context

The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, provides specific instructions regarding the treatment of strangers. In Leviticus 19:33-34 , God commands the Israelites: "When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the expectation of kindness and justice towards strangers, rooted in the Israelites' own experience as foreigners in Egypt.

Despite these clear instructions, the historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament reveal instances where the Jews struggled to uphold this standard. The tension between maintaining their distinct identity as God's chosen people and interacting with surrounding nations often led to suspicion and animosity towards strangers.

Historical Examples

Throughout the history of Israel, there are numerous examples of both positive and negative interactions with strangers. The account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became the great-grandmother of King David, highlights the potential for harmonious relationships. Ruth's loyalty to her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi, and her acceptance into the community of Bethlehem exemplify the blessings that can come from embracing strangers.

Conversely, the post-exilic period, as described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, illustrates a more exclusionary attitude. Upon returning from Babylonian exile, the Jewish leaders took measures to separate themselves from foreign influences, which included the dissolution of marriages with foreign women (Ezra 10:10-11). This action was driven by a desire to preserve religious purity and prevent idolatry, reflecting a protective stance towards their covenant identity.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently addressed the treatment of strangers, often as part of broader calls for justice and righteousness. In Ezekiel 22:7 , the prophet condemns Jerusalem for its mistreatment of various vulnerable groups, including foreigners: "They have treated father and mother with contempt; they have oppressed the foreigner within you; they have wronged the fatherless and the widow." Such rebukes highlight the moral and spiritual failings of the people in neglecting God's commands regarding strangers.

New Testament Perspective

By the time of the New Testament, Jewish attitudes towards Gentiles were still marked by tension. The Gospels and Acts record instances where Jesus and the early church challenged prevailing prejudices. Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman (John 4:9) and His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) both serve to break down barriers between Jews and non-Jews, emphasizing love and compassion over ethnic and religious boundaries.

The Apostle Paul further articulates the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God, stating in Ephesians 2:19 , "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." This theological shift underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants (Genesis 12:3).

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of the Jews' relationship with strangers is a testament to the ongoing struggle between divine ideals and human shortcomings. While God's law called for love and justice towards foreigners, historical and cultural factors often led to exclusion and prejudice. The New Testament reveals the ultimate reconciliation of these tensions through the inclusive message of the Gospel, inviting all people into the family of God.1 Samuel 17:36
Your servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 16:26,27
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:11
Why remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

"We have Seen his Star"
... into Egypt and the sojourn in a land of strangers. ... This calamity the Jews had brought
upon themselves ... themselves, and to show how God despised all other nations ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 6 we have seen.htm

Salvation to the Jews
... the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of ... Among the Jews are some who, like
Saul of Tarsus ... those who have long been neglected and despised, His salvation ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... Redeemer, and as being able to do all that she ... work of mercy toward one of a despised
people for ... Gentiles should be fellow heirs with the Jews, and "partakers ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

The Gospel.
... when John, having made his followers feel all the weight ... to keep the peace among
the Jews; and Jerusalem ... favoured city where He had been despised and rejected ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xx the gospel.htm

A God in Pain
... will find little or none among the Jews themselves ... as Galilee, were in a miserable,
neglected, despised state; and ... are bound this day to pray for all men, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxv a god in.htm

Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time
... Formerly He had despised the pleasures of the world. ... be with me in paradise," He
announced to all His followers ... be reduced to ashes, and the Jews be vagabonds ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/blair the hour and.htm

Circumcision Given as a Sign, that the Jews Might be Driven Away ...
... given as a sign, that the Jews might be ... Because they have transgressed against Me,
and despised Me, and ... God the Almighty and Maker of all things "cursing in ...
/.../chapter xvi circumcision given as a.htm

Concerning Esther and Mordecai and Haman; and How in the Reign of ...
... father's house would be destroyed by those whom she now despised. ... to go to Shushan,
and to gather the Jews that were ... and to fast and abstain from all sorts of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning esther and.htm

That Christ Also is Called a Stone.
Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews. ... Be it known unto you all, and to all
the people of ... This is the stone which was despised by you builders, which has ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/16 that christ also is.htm

Treatise vi. On the Vanity of Idols: Showing that the Idols are ...
... First of all, favour with God was given to the Jews. ... of discipline, proud, and puffed
up with confidence in their fathers, they despised the divine precepts ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vi on the vanity.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.org

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