The call to love the sojourner, or foreigner, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing God's compassion and justice. This call is rooted in the character of God and His covenant relationship with Israel, extending to the ethical and moral obligations of His people.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the treatment of sojourners. In the Law given to Moses, God commands the Israelites to love and care for the foreigner among them. Leviticus 19:33-34 states, "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 is rooted in Israel's own history as foreigners in Egypt, reminding them of their past and God's deliverance.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 further emphasizes this call: "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." Here, God's love for the foreigner is linked to His justice and provision, setting a divine example for His people to follow.

Prophetic Voices

The prophets also echo this call, often highlighting Israel's failure to uphold these commands as a sign of their unfaithfulness. In Jeremiah 7:5-7 , the prophet warns, "For if you really change your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, if you no longer oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever."

Malachi 3:5 also speaks of God's judgment against those who oppress the foreigner: "Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against oppressors of the widows and the fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and who refuse to help the foreigner and do not fear Me, says the LORD of Hosts."

New Testament Continuation

The New Testament continues this theme, expanding the call to love beyond ethnic and national boundaries. Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 illustrates the call to love one's neighbor, transcending cultural and ethnic divisions. The Samaritan's compassion for the wounded man exemplifies the love and mercy that Jesus calls His followers to embody.

In Matthew 25:35 , Jesus identifies Himself with the sojourner: "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 took Me in." This identification with the stranger underscores the importance of hospitality and care for the foreigner as a reflection of one's relationship with Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, reinforces the unity of believers, regardless of their background. In Ephesians 2:19 , he writes, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household." This unity in Christ calls for a love that transcends cultural and national barriers, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

Theological Implications

The call to love the sojourner is deeply theological, reflecting God's character and His redemptive plan for humanity. It challenges believers to live out their faith through acts of justice, mercy, and hospitality, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual as created in the image of God. This call is not merely a social or ethical obligation but a reflection of the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers.