Welcoming a foreigner into our midst can be tough. All those pre-conceived, stereotyping beliefs and prejudices to overcome. One may have or not even realize one has these against 'that type,' which places a 'great wall' barrier of grief between the foreigner and the local. Often it's the foreigner who has to take the battering ram of initiative to this wall of separation. It sure is difficult!
It's wonderful that God has concern not just for the fatherless and widow, but that He loves the foreigner! He commanded the Israelites to love them too. Why? Because they were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.
They would know how it felt. Now it was time for them to 'pass it along'. Any of us who currently are foreigners will know the feel of never quite 'fitting in' ! So we too can reach out to the one who sticks out in a crowd.
But this should not let the locals off the hook. Don't make the foreigner have to do 98% of the work bridging the gap. Get out of your clicks and comfort zones and meet the foreigner 98% instead. You just never know when you'll make a wonderful new friend!
Blessing will flow in both directions. Abraham was blessed when he entertained strangers that actually turned out to be angels (see Genesis 18:1-15). The widow of Zarephath opened her home to Elijah (see 1 Kings 17:9-24). The blessing in both cases were reciprocal.
Of course, seeking for blessing should not be the motivating factor. It should be 'the thing' a believer in Christ does out of the goodness of heart that salvation brought us. It needs to be unconditional, like God's love.
"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).
Another good verse to couple with that is Hebrews 13:2 (ESV).
"Do not neglect to entertain strangers, for there by some have entertained angels unawares ..."
I'll never forget the time when one sister-in-Christ did this for me. She was the local and I the foreigner. She'd load up her little ones, drive for 20 minutes or more, pick me and my little one up, and drive those 20 plus minutes back to her home. There we lunched together, had good conversation and prayed together. Then she had to load up her children again and drive me home, turn around and go all the way back to her place again. It was a labor of love and kindness that turned into a strong friendship. We certainly were both blessed!
Be alert for such opportunities. That sister would do that every week! It was not a one-off encounter. Whether or not the foreigner ends up a friend, persistance in making the connections in welcoming the foreign neighbor or the one who shows up at church, is what our Heavenly Father commands us to do. Love them. Feed them. Clothe them. Be blessed in so doing.
~ ERC February 2025 ~
Based on Deuteronomy 10:17-20 especially vs 18. Also, Our Daily Bread, Sept/Oct/Nov 2023 - 13 Sept - by Sheridan Voysey.
Sing, God So Loved - We the Kingdom, along with Hadleigh Baptist Church.
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