“The alien residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:34
Welcoming the Strangers
We share a vital responsibility to welcome those who are migrants and in search of better opportunities. The Bible calls us to extend warmth and hospitality to those who are different from us. In every corner of scripture, we find encouragement to treat migrants as part of our community. This means being kind and understanding, remembering that we have all been guests in different situations. We must see them as individuals deserving of love and respect, echoing God’s love in our interactions.
Leviticus 19:33-34
“Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” – Leviticus 19:33-34
Deuteronomy 10:18
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” – Deuteronomy 10:18
Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” – Matthew 25:35
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
Isaiah 56:6
“And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant.” – Isaiah 56:6
Compassion for Migrants
We often forget that the journey of migrants can be filled with struggles and challenges. Our faith compels us to respond with compassion. The Bible teaches us to feel for others in their pain, offering our support to help ease their suffering. It invites us to walk alongside those who have left their homes, ensuring they know they are not alone. When we choose empathy, we act as instruments of God’s love, reflecting His heart for those in sudden need.
Psalms 146:9
“The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.” – Psalms 146:9
Exodus 22:21
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” – Exodus 22:21
Jeremiah 7:6
“If you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm.” – Jeremiah 7:6
Proverbs 31:8
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Justice for All
Justice stands as a central tenet in our Christian faith, guiding how we relate to all people, including migrants. God calls us to work towards fairness and righteousness in dealings with everyone, ensuring that justice flows. We acknowledge that each person, regardless of their background, should receive equitable treatment. By standing up for those who cannot advocate for themselves, we mimic God’s justice and mercy, as shown in His holy word.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Amos 5:24
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” – Amos 5:24
Job 29:12
“Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.” – Job 29:12
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18
Zechariah 7:10
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” – Zechariah 7:10
Community Integration
God expects us to live in harmony, welcoming migrants into our communities with open arms. Integration goes beyond mere tolerance; it invites understanding and participation in our shared lives. We can all gain from the unique perspectives and experiences migrants bring. By encouraging community integration, we embody God’s vision of a united church, fostering relationships built on mutual respect and support. Together, we can flourish as one family under God, making our communities stronger and more vibrant.
Acts 10:34-35
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’” – Acts 10:34-35
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Serving Others
Our call as Christians truly involves serving others, especially those who are marginalized, like migrants. We should be willing to offer help and resources to those who are struggling. Jesus demonstrated servanthood throughout His life, showing us how to extend love through service. We can embody Christ’s kindness by reaching out, getting involved, and offering a helping hand. Each act of service enriches our relationship with both God and others, making our faith alive through action.
Matthew 20:28
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Philippians 2:4
“Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:4
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Hope for the Future
God’s promises show us that there is always hope. For migrants, the future may seem uncertain, but we can find peace and assurance in God’s plan. We are called to carry hope in our hearts, sharing it with those who feel lost or in despair. God’s word reassures us that He is always with us, guiding us along our paths. By trusting in Him, we can work together towards brighter tomorrows, building a future filled with love and unity.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Psalms 33:18
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” – Psalms 33:18
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Final Thoughts
In our exploration of the Bible verses about migrants, we see that God calls us to love and support those who find themselves in new lands. Our faith is deeply rooted in the call to welcome the stranger and show compassion.
We recognize the importance of treating others justly while embracing community integration as a way to enrich our lives. Serving those who are vulnerable, like migrants, reflects the heart of God. Offering hope illuminates the path forward for all who may feel lost.
Let us remember that every act of kindness we show not only strengthens our faith, but it also creates strong bonds of community. For further reading, you may want to explore more about foreigners in our land and foreigners’ assimilation in a new country.