Bible verses for all occasions.
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous verses that provide guidance on how to treat foreigners or strangers. These verses emphasize the importance of showing love, compassion, and hospitality towards foreigners, reminding us of our responsibility to welcome and care for those who are different from us. The Scriptures make it clear that God’s love extends to all people, regardless of their nationality or background, and encourages us to follow His example in our interactions with foreigners.
Leviticus 19:34 (NIV)
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”
This verse from Leviticus highlights the importance of treating foreigners with love and respect. It reminds the Israelites that they were once foreigners in Egypt, and therefore should empathize with and extend hospitality to those who are now residing among them.
Exodus 22:21 (NIV)
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
Similar to the previous verse, Exodus 22:21 emphasizes the Israelites’ shared experience of being foreigners in Egypt and warns against mistreating or oppressing foreigners. This verse serves as a reminder that we should always treat others with kindness and compassion, regardless of their background.
Deuteronomy 10:19 (NIV)
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
In this verse, the Israelites are commanded to love foreigners. It reinforces the idea that their past experience as foreigners in Egypt should motivate them to show love and compassion towards others in a similar situation. This verse also serves as a reminder for us to extend love to those who are different from us.
Matthew 25:35 (NIV)
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
This verse from the New Testament, spoken by Jesus, highlights the importance of extending hospitality to strangers or foreigners. It emphasizes the idea that when we care for those in need, including foreigners, we are actually caring for Jesus Himself.
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
In Hebrews, Christians are encouraged to show hospitality to strangers. This verse suggests that by welcoming and caring for strangers, we may unknowingly be ministering to heavenly beings or messengers of God. It reminds us of the potential spiritual significance of our interactions with foreigners.
Leviticus 24:22 (NIV)
“You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of equality and justice for both foreigners and native-born individuals. It reminds us that in God’s eyes, there should be no discrimination or preferential treatment based on nationality or background.
Psalm 146:9 (NIV)
“The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
Psalm 146:9 assures us that God watches over and cares for foreigners, just as He does for the fatherless and the widow. It reinforces the idea that God’s love extends to all people, regardless of their status or background.
Jeremiah 22:3 (NIV)
“This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
This verse from Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness. It instructs the people to protect foreigners, along with the fatherless and widows, from oppression and mistreatment. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to stand up for the vulnerable and marginalized, including foreigners.
Zechariah 7:10 (NIV)
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”
In this verse, Zechariah calls for the fair treatment of widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. It discourages plotting evil against one another and emphasizes the need for kindness, compassion, and justice towards all people, regardless of their background.
Ruth 2:10-12 (NIV)
“At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, ‘Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?’ Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.’
This passage from the book of Ruth tells the story of Ruth, a foreigner who showed great loyalty and care for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Boaz, a relative of Naomi, commends Ruth for her kindness and faithfulness, recognizing the sacrifices she made as a foreigner. It serves as an example of how foreigners can display remarkable virtues and reminds us of the importance of acknowledging and appreciating their contributions.
The Bible provides clear guidance on how to treat foreigners or strangers. These verses emphasize the importance of showing love, compassion, hospitality, justice, and equality towards foreigners. They remind us that God’s love extends to all people, regardless of their background, and that we are called to follow His example in our interactions with foreigners. As we strive to live out these teachings, may we open our hearts and extend a warm welcome to those who are different from us, embracing the diversity and richness that comes from God’s creation.
