Leviticus 19:34—“But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
God instructs His covenant people not only on how to worship Him but also on how to treat those who live among them. Having established the standard of mutual affection among the children of Israel, the holiness code of Leviticus expands its horizon outward.
Contextually, a “stranger” (ger) was a vulnerable foreigner living under Israel’s protection, lacking ancestral land and tribal safety nets. God demands that Israel dismantle the natural human wall between native and outsider: the immigrant must be treated with the exact same legal and relational dignity as a home-born citizen.
The command is striking: “thou shalt love him as thyself”. The standard of care shown to one’s own people was to extend also to outsiders dwelling among them. The theological foundation appears in the remainder of the verse: “for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God”. God calls His people to remember His redeeming mercy. Having experienced God’s compassion in their own helplessness, they were to reflect that same mercy toward others. Gratitude for redemption must produce compassion.
This principle continues throughout Scripture. God’s people are called to “use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9). Christ Himself welcomed sinners and strangers into His kingdom. True godly love is inherently hospitable, crossing cultural, ethnic, and social boundaries. It forbids passive indifference to those who are different or displaced.
Therefore, let us examine our hearts. Do we ignore, fear, or avoid those who are different from us? Biblical holiness requires more than sound doctrine. It requires love that welcomes, serves, and reflects the gracious heart of God.
