What Can We Learn from Immigrants?
"I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight."
Key Facts
Term Name
Immigrants
Role
Immigrant
Born
Throughout biblical history
Died
Throughout biblical history
Key Takeaways
- Biblical immigrants like Abraham trusted God’s promises while living as strangers in foreign lands.
- Scripture commands justice for immigrants, reflecting God’s covenantal faithfulness to His people.
- Hospitality toward immigrants is framed as a spiritual practice rooted in Christlike compassion.
Who Were Immigrants in the Bible?
The Bible portrays immigrants as individuals navigating life in foreign lands while trusting God’s promises, as seen in Abraham’s self-identity as a sojourner.
In Genesis 23:4, Abraham explicitly declares himself a ‘stranger and foreigner’ among the Hittites, acknowledging his temporary status in Canaan. Yet he appeals to God’s protection and provision, recognizing that his ultimate inheritance lies not in the land itself but in divine faithfulness. This tension between earthly displacement and spiritual promise defines the immigrant experience in Scripture.
Abraham’s words in Genesis 23:4 reveal a theological truth: God cares for strangers, upholding His covenantal commitments even as His people dwell as outsiders. This sets a foundation for later biblical calls to justice and hospitality toward immigrants, rooted in God’s own character as a protector of the vulnerable.
God’s Plan for Immigrants
Building on Abraham’s example, God’s Word reveals His steadfast care for immigrants through narratives of exile, refuge, and redemption.
The Israelites’ time in Egypt (Exodus 22:21) underscores God’s covenantal loyalty to His people as strangers in a foreign land, while Ruth’s story (Ruth 1:16-17) illustrates His provision for those who embrace faithfulness amid displacement. Jesus’ family fleeing to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) mirrors this pattern, showing God’s protection of vulnerable outsiders. Exodus 22:21 explicitly commands, 'You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt,' framing justice for immigrants as a reflection of Israel’s own history. James 1:27 expands this ethic, calling care for 'orphaned and widowed' - including immigrants - a 'pure religion,' rooted in Christlike compassion.
These stories collectively model God’s heart for the marginalized and foreshadow the New Testament’s call to welcome strangers as an act of faith (Hebrews 13:2). Such narratives challenge believers to see immigrants not as outsiders, but as recipients of God’s redemptive promises.
What Can We Learn From Biblical Immigrants?
The Bible’s call to care for immigrants reflects God’s character and our shared identity as His people.
Scripture repeatedly commands justice and hospitality toward foreigners because God remembers His people’s history as sojourners. Exodus 22:21 explicitly warns, 'You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt,' tying ethical treatment to collective memory. This mandate challenges believers to see immigrants not as outsiders, but as reflections of God’s covenantal faithfulness. By embracing this identity, we mirror Christ’s compassion, who became a stranger among us to redeem all nations.
Believers today can reflect God’s love by advocating for fair policies, offering practical aid, and welcoming immigrants as neighbors. James 1:27 calls such care 'pure religion,' while Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that hospitality to strangers may welcome angels unawares. These teachings invite the church to embody the same grace that once sheltered Abraham, Ruth, and Jesus’ family.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Genesis 23:4
Abraham declares himself a 'stranger and foreigner' in Canaan, trusting God’s provision.
Exodus 22:21
God commands Israel not to oppress sojourners, recalling their own history in Egypt.
Ruth 1:16-17
Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi models faithfulness amid displacement and cultural transition.
Hebrews 13:2
A call to welcome strangers as an act of faith, echoing biblical hospitality traditions.
Related Concepts
Sarah (Figures)
Abraham’s wife, whose story intertwines with the covenantal promises to immigrants.
The Exodus (Events)
Israel’s liberation from Egypt, shaping their identity as a people of displacement.
Covenant (Theological Concepts)
God’s binding agreement with Abraham, foundational to immigrant narratives.