Tuesday: For You Were Strangers in Egypt
“Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19). What is the message to ancient Israel here? What should the message from this verse be for us, as well?
Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com
Centuries earlier the Lord told Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years” (Genesis 15:13; see also Genesis 17:8, Acts 13:17). This is, of course, what happened, and in the early chapters of Exodus the dramatic story of their redemption (Exodus 15:13) and salvation (Exodus 14:13) from Egypt has been recorded for posterity, a symbol, a type, of the redemption and salvation that we have been given in Christ Jesus. In this verse, the Lord wants them to remember where they had been and what they had been — and that was, strangers in another land.
In other words, remember when you were on the margins of society, outcasts, even slaves, and thus at the mercy of those who were stronger than you and who could abuse you and, indeed, often did. And though Israel was a chosen nation, called of God, a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6), and though there were some differences between them and the strangers among them — especially in regard to religious services — when it came to “human rights,” the stranger, the widow, the orphan needed to be treated with the same fairness and justice as the Israelites expected for themselves.
Read Matthew 7:12. How does the verse encapsulate what the Lord was telling ancient Israel about how they were to treat the weak among them?
This admonition to Israel about how they were to treat outcasts was not, by any means, the norm in the ancient world, where outcasts could be treated in some cases no better than animals, if even that well.
In contrast, Israel was to be different, a light unto the nations. And yes, that difference would be found in the God whom they worshiped, how they worshiped Him, and the whole religious system of truth that God had given them. Yet, their kind treatment of the marginalized could have been a powerful witness to the world of the superiority of their God and of their faith, which in one sense was the whole point of their existence, anyway, to be a witness to the world of their God.
(25)
When I go birding I often go to the Avondale Cemetery car park to start my walk. A few evenings ago, I noticed a couple of young people just mucking around in the car park. When I came back an hour later, they had driven their 4WD onto the top of a sandpile and got well and truly stuck. The sandpile belonged to the cemetery trust and was there for some drainage work they were doing and the young people had no business driving their vehicle on it for the fun of it. I took some photographs much to their disgust and after assuring them I was not going to humiliate them publically, I told them I would pass on the information to the cemetery trust because they were concerned about the vandalism that had been occurring there. I drove off amidst a hail of abuse, went home and started eating my supper. Then common sense kicked in and I thought, "I have a Troopy and could have easily pulled them off the sandpile". That is what Troopys do with ease. So I went back to the cemetery.
To their credit, these young people had actually dug themselves out with shovels and were in the process of shovelling the sandpile back into place. I thanked them for their effort. They were just young folk who had done something quite stupid and were now making amends. They were surprised that I had taken the time to come back and help them. And I was glad I had gone back to help. It left a good taste in everyone's mouth.
Essentially they were strangers within our gates and I remembered when I was young and did stupid things where I was a stranger in someone's place. Sometimes I had been treated more kindly than I should have been and for others, I had been given a well-deserved kick-in-the-pants.
Treating others with respect irrespective of age, colour, race, creed, or age is one of the great principles of Christianity. It should be reflected in both our language and our actions.
It is 'interesting' to consider how the issue of treatment of the marginalised is front and centre of recent - and growing. What methods are we seeing - via mainstream media - being unleashed in the name of "justice" for the marginalised? Are these the 'present truth' methods God is calling us to use?
Proverbs 14
The Message
31.you insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless;
when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God.
I would ask this question as well, what methods are we seeing - via mainstream media and other outlets- being unleashed in the name of "justice" against the marginalized? Would God approve?
Speaking about the marginalized, during the heart of the pandemic, I, like many, was not working but receiving my Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) from the government (wasn't much), there would be a homeless man I would see with some frequency on the street not too far from where I live and what would call my attention was the fact of how quiet he was, never begging, never disturbing anyone, simple sitting out of the way trying not to be a bother. I decided that whenever I saw him I would buy him a well-balanced plate of food together with something to drink. I would also try to help others I would see by handing them a dollar bill with hopes that they could add to whatever little they might have to be able to get by for that day. I also would use some of it to help other members of my family who also needed some help. In many instances, the "stranger", is not always "the marginalized" but at times a member of our own family or even a neighbor right next door to us.
Hi Gui
Thank you for sharing your experience. What you did is an example of what God was referring to when He asks His people to "do justice" (justness) (Micah 6:8). God bless you in your sharing of Christ's 'love in action' with others.
I seem to always look at what our lessons teach us through the prism of God's Love for man. I see Israel being admonished to treat the stranger within their land differently than how they were treated during their sojourn in Egypt; but how so? - they were to express God's Love to the stranger!
Loving God with all one's heart, this 'Religion' was to be expressed by applying His true justice, mercy and grace, and including everyone living within their borders to benefit from it; so it was then and so it is now.
As children of God, we do not live in a physical kingdom, we live in a spiritual kingdom administered by the powers of Heaven.
As Christians, we have the obligation to extend our welcome to any stranger desiring to live in the spiritual kingdom of God.
Hi Brigitte
I agree with you that God's other-benefiting love is indeed central to true life and reality - which we refer to as living within/under under God's 'Kingdom'.
If I may add to what you are saying, it is true we have an 'obligation'. However, that 'obligation' is internally-driven rather than externally-required/mandated. True love is self-compelling (2 Corinthians 5:14a NKJV, NIV - "compels"). It cannot restrain itself from giving beneficially to others - because (metaphorically) it is a living fountain that cannot be stopped from sharing its life-giving water to all around it - stranger or non-stranger alike (John 4:14).
Yes, Phil - I only chose the word 'obligation' to express a certain frustration about the casual attitude displayed by so many Christians regarding not doing that which they know is the 'right thing to do'; some excuse themselves by saying it was just a 'mistake'.
I want to see Christians go the 'the extra mile', making the extra effort to do the right thing in small gestures as well as in big efforts; overcoming the inertia of their 'broad and easy way'-slumber, which leads to destruction!
Being prompted by the Spirit to know what is right and not doing it is sin; acting as if missed opportunities to express God's Love is nothing to worry about only deepens my concern that many Christian's 'walk' is just a matter of the 'course' - a prescribed ritual established by man's religion.
Hi Brigitte
I get what you are saying. I used to try and 'push' people to change - because that was what I grew up learning from church. I have since learned the hard way that doesn't work. As humans, unfortunately we typically won't undertake growth or change until staying the way we are becomes a lot more uncomfortable than changing. This is termed reaching "readiness" to change and is less common that people realise. We see that in Israel's history. It was mostly when they got themselves into big trouble that they then cried out to God and made a change - for a little while. And then they got comfortable again and relapsed.
All we can actually do is try and invite people to move forward, but it is only the Holy Spirit that can bring conviction - if and when a person becomes open to such. Having learned this, and being frequently reminded of it, I no longer feel that frustration, which is nice. But I do remember what it felt like.
I like the way Ellen White's describes this overall issue - it is a very accurate summary. I have added the part in brackets.
Phil - thank you for your kind words to help me deal with my 'unhappiness'. I am a strong-willed, observing, detail-oriented, 'discerning/judging' person, needing to be 'vigilant' to remain loving, or I become disheartened and judgmental. It is my heart's desire for the Father to strengthen me to remain loving towards others; in the meantime, though, I think it to be my obligation toward the Covenant to - by faith - remain loving and kind.
Please allow me to 'vent' a bit more; I know your kind understanding and do not want to belabor the issue raised:
Is not everyone called to self discipline - to deny oneself the indulgence in/of one's weaknesses - whiles God is helping us in our struggles; but we need to faithfully, pro-actively support His 'intervention/sanctification'-work in us!
Since the unloving behavior of a Christian is judged as sin just as the unbeliever's behavior, maybe even more sternly, how can the Christian's conscience so utterly disregard the Father's established teaching that: 'by loving your fellow man you show that you love Me'?
Did not the believer agree when he/she accepted the 'Covenant of/by Faith' to walk according to Christ Jesus' teachings, acting loving toward ones fellow man? God's Love is the Heart of the Gospel!
Teaching a willing heart is easy, but trying to teach an obstinate heart to resist its indulgences is like trying to 'pull out it's roots'; only God's long suffering Mercy and Grace can do that without causing damage.
Could it be that we have misjudged 'organized' religion's influence on the individual believer's willingness to learn to love God in a more personal, individual way? Maybe, by eagerly increasing, growing the 'organized' church's numbers, we set aside the importance of helping the individual believer know how to build the foundation of his/her 'own house', one individual heart at a time - Matt.7:24-27.
I empathize with God's frustration, the spirit within me groans when He/I do not find His Love resonating in the heart of believers. Accepting His mighty Grace ought to have been sufficient to turn us from our wicked ways, but it is being cheapened by the ready willingness of the obstinate heart to transgress His Law of Love - showing callousness to the neighbor and so showing disregard for the Gift of the Sacrifice of the Creator.
It is heartbreaking when I see Christians behaving worse than those who outright reject God as their Authority - Rom.2:14.
Hi Brigitte
"Is not everyone called to self discipline...?" True, they are - but only after love has been awakened first. Paul reflects this in Romans 1:5 where he outlines 'the horse and the cart'. Horse = 'faith' which as you know is born of a trusting, love-based relationship rather than mere 'mental ascent' (Maurice's term) to doctrine; the cart = living in obedience to (ie harmony with) that 'faith'.
"Did not the believer agree when he/she accepted the 'Covenant of/by Faith' to walk according to Christ Jesus' teachings, acting loving toward ones fellow man?" Perhaps, but keep in mind Jesus's pointing out that fruit is an indication of the health of the health of the branches which is in turn an indication of the health of connection with the vine (John 15:5).
"Maybe, by eagerly increasing, growing the 'organized' church's numbers, we set aside the importance of helping the individual believer know how to build the foundation of his/her 'own house', one individual heart at a time - Matt.7:24-27." This is a very key contributing factor. I am not just saying this - I have had significant involvement in and interaction with church leadership at various levels across my life. I only mention this as 'evidence' that your statement has merit.
"I empathize with God's frustration..." I fully believe that God does not experience frustration as we understand and experience frustration - given what it is within humans that typically activates and constitutes the frustration we are familiar with. Rather, I find that God he experiences deep sadness springing from the depth of His compassion for each and every person - even those who harden their heart against Him. (eg Genesis 6:7b - "it grieves me deeply"). We also see this reflected in the Prodigal's father and in Jesus sorrow over the people of Jerusalem (and beyond) (Matthew 23:37).
Yes, it is heartbreaking. And it would seem Paul would agree with you on that too (Romans 9:2,3). Notice what Paul experiences instead of frustration. Self-sacrificing love has eclipsed the frustration (as per John 15:13) that he used to experience as Saul. This is what God is desiring to replace our frustration with. But it is a journey as it was for Paul and for Peter and for John (son of thunder)...
Phil - Thank you for highlighting the important points to be considered. Yes, my concern and 'frustration' is only about those having accepted to live their life by the 'Faith of Christ'.
It has become evident that so many of the 'believing' followers of the Gospel are unaware that 'following' implies accepting changes to their life - 'self'-initiated and graciously gifted by a 'change of heart'; all needed changes benefiting everything related/touched by their existence/living.
I think this 'unawareness/non-consideration' is addressed in Rev.3:15-16; Christ Jesus depicting the spiritual aspect of the life of these believers.
Thank you for pointing out that 'self-sacrificing love' eclipses frustration; one 'overcoming event' at a time. I am God's work of Grace in progress!
"I am God's work of Grace in progress!"
Well said...
The lesson stated that difference would be found in the God whom they worshiped, how they worshiped Him, and the whole religious system of truth that God had given them. Let's make it personal and current and substitute the word "they" for the word "I"; Whom I worship, how I worship...truth that God had given me.
There was an article in Ministry Magazine (Feb, 63) on the Power of Worship. It mentions the definition of worship is the attitude of humility, reverence, honor, devotion, and adoration that properly mark the relationship of created beings to their Creator, especially in His presence." This lofty experience is granted to fallen man as well as to the angels who never sinned.
Worship not only testifies to our love for, and appreciation of, God but it exerts a power on the worshiper. Worship is an experience, a giving and receiving, a petition and a blessing, a declaration and a benediction. But I ask the question, what does this look like to the stranger who never worshipped themselves and they see worship all over us in our everyday life? What would this look like?
From our worship we are sent forth in the Spirit of God and the power of His might to conquer the world for Christ. What lofty estate granted to fallen mortals! Talk about being strangers in Egypt and what it means for us today. The message is clear and the mission for us is even clearer.
Hi Nelson,
I like what you wrote today, very inspiring.
When you wrote "What lofty estate granted to fallen mortals!", it made me think of a story.
What if we, God's people, each had a Lofty estate; we were all blessed by God. Then one day, we think to ourselves, "Look at my estate! God has truly blessed me. Now, I can sit back and enjoy my estate and all God's blessings."
This story should sound familiar. If it doesn't sound familiar to you, look it up (that's our Homework); it's in the Bible (I used other words though).
When God blesses us, He wants us to bless others. I have learned that "everything" God does for us, and through us, is for a Purpose. Let's live out our purpose today.
But I still love reading, and studying, the history of the Israelites. I just love History itself; but all history is suppose to teach us something. That's all I have to say.
God's blessing to All!
Amen and thank you Toni! That was a great view!
My understanding is that, when the KJV speaks of "the stranger," it is referring to the foreigner, as many other translations render it. Yet, no matter how many times the verses upon which this lesson is based speak of how we should treat the foreigner, the lesson authors keep bringing it back to only the poor and marginalized in society. Shouldn't the Bible be allowed to tell us what to do with immigrants, would-be immigrants, and asylum seekers, regardless of how much political partisanship is currently being imposed on the issue?