In the biblical narrative, the concept of excluding foreigners is primarily rooted in the desire to maintain the purity of worship and the distinct identity of the Israelite community. The Israelites were chosen by God as His covenant people, and this special relationship required them to adhere to specific laws and practices that set them apart from surrounding nations.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament contains several instances where foreigners were excluded from certain aspects of Israelite religious and communal life. One of the most notable examples is found in Deuteronomy 23:3-6 , which states, "No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. For they did not meet you with bread and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but He turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you. You are not to seek peace or prosperity from them as long as you live."

This exclusion was based on historical enmity and the actions of these nations against Israel. The assembly of the LORD, in this context, refers to the religious and communal gatherings of the Israelites, where participation was restricted to those who were part of the covenant community.

Religious Purity and Idolatry

A significant reason for excluding foreigners was the concern over idolatry and the influence of pagan practices. In Exodus 34:12-16 , God warns the Israelites, "Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst. Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Otherwise, you might make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land, and when they prostitute themselves with their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices."

The exclusion of foreigners was thus a protective measure to prevent the Israelites from being led astray into idolatry, which was a constant threat throughout their history.

Post-Exilic Reforms

After the Babylonian exile, the returnees under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah took steps to reinforce the distinct identity of the Jewish community. In Nehemiah 13:1-3 , it is recorded, "On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to curse them. Yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent."

This action was part of a broader effort to purify the community and ensure adherence to the Law of Moses, which was seen as essential for maintaining their covenant relationship with God.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith community marks a significant shift from the Old Testament practice of exclusion. However, the early church grappled with the question of how to integrate Gentile believers while maintaining the core tenets of the faith. Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council, where it was decided that Gentile converts did not need to fully adhere to the Mosaic Law, but were to abstain from certain practices associated with idolatry and immorality.

While the New Testament emphasizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles through Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16), the historical context of excluding foreigners in the Old Testament highlights the importance placed on religious purity and the distinct identity of God's people.