“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9
February 9, 2026
The Old Testament distinguishes between the legal immigrant (Heb. word, ger) and the illegal immigrant (Heb. words, foreigner, nekhar and zar). “Illegal immigrants should not expect these same privileges from the state whose laws they disregard by virtue of their undocumented status” (James Hoffmeier, The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible). Legal immigrants are to be treated fairly and justly (Lev. 19:33). They should not be oppressed (Ex. 23:9). The sojourner (legal alien) is to be shown love. The motivational power of sympathy is invoked, i.e. remember what it was like in Egypt, Deut. 10:19). These standards of conduct do not condone unkind treatment of those who are illegal. We may rightfully conclude that “it is legally and morally acceptable for government to deal with those in the country illegally according to the nation’s legal provisions. The Christian insists, however, that they be dealt with in a humane manner” (Hoffmeier). The New Testament guidance regarding immigrants is that government should seek the good of its citizens (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14). “The immigration policies of a nation should be designed to bring benefit to that specific nation” (Wayne Grudem, Politics According to the Bible). Truth-infused love and compassion should set the Christian’s moral compass.
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Reflections:
What are some ways we can help immigrants to assimilate and integrate into our society?