I. The danger apprehended. The fear was lest they should grow too inclusive and haughty, and begin to despise and oppress the individual foreigners that should remain in the land or might enter it for a settlement. The invitation to the stranger might be like that of the spider to the fly--a siren’s voice luring to destruction. This is the very fate that has befallen the Jews in mediaeval and modern Europe. To prevent such usage the command of the text was issued. There arises a clashing of commercial interests; to see foreigners flourishing in the midst whilst home interests suffer, has often led to riot and persecution.
II. The principles oh which the command of the text is raised.
1. There is a recognition of the brotherhood of man. “He shall be unto you as one born among you.” This doctrine of the unity of the race was brought eminently to light by Jesus Christ.
2. There is a recognition of the royal law of love, both as to its extent and as an instrument of obedience. For
(1) love is not to be centred in self, nor
(2) is the class of neighbours to be restricted, and
(3) to love the stranger is seen to be the only security against inequitable dealing--three important truths.
Without affection, the strictest rules are in vain. To guide the ship by its helm is easier than by any external attachment of ropes. Better is it for a man to be impelled towards the goal by inward desire than to be pushed and dragged by the handsof others, tugging him now on this side, now on that.
3. It is instructive to discern in the law predictions of the gospel. Here are the germs that developed into trees laden with richest fruit.
III. The memories by which observance of the command is enforced.
1. By a remembrance of their own condition in former days. Christians! your time of bondage should make you compassionate to those still in darkness. Will you shun them as evil, or let praying and working on their behalf go hand in band?
2. By a remembrance of their relationship to God. After nearly every precept comes this solemn reminder, “I am the Lord thy God.” He was the covenant God to whom the Israelites had dedicated themselves, being sprinkled with sacrificial blood. If they entertained a proper sense of the authority of God, they would attend to this particular statute. Stand on the monument, and it is difficult to tell which is the giant and which the dwarf below in the streets. So before the majesty of God all earthly distinctions of race disappear. Love the stranger! God hath made all of oneblood. (S. R. Aldridge, B. A.)
Courtesy to strangers
I. We ourselves are strangers on the earth. “For ye were strangers in the land” (Lev_19:34).
1. Dependent on other care than our own; human and Divine.
2. Transient, soon to leave, resting but a little while on earth. Observe: it is good to see in the case of others an analogy with our own; it will foster sympathy and helpfulness.
II. Courtesy should root itself in generous love. “Thou shalt love him as thyself.”
1. Acting to the stranger as if the service were being rendered to us. This will teach us what to do, and how to show kindness.
2. Recognising that we may perchance be in the stranger’s position. As thus needing kindness, let us now exhibit it.
3. Opening our hearts in ungrudging benevolence. “Love” gives lavishly. Courtesy should not be meagre and superficial.
III. Gratitude to heaven prompts usto generous kindness. “Ye were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.”
1. Memory of God’s rescue should constrain us to care for others.
2. God’s relationship to us requires that we illustrate His lovingkindness.
3. His commands to courtesy cannot be evaded with impunity. (W. H. Jellie.)
Unkindness to a stranger
Philip of Macedon, hearing of one in his kingdom that refused most unthankfully to receive a stranger, of whom he had been formerly succoured in a time of extreme need, as having lost all he had by a wreck at sea, caused him to be worthily punished, by branding in his forehead these two letters I. H., i.e., Ingratus Hospes, The Unthankful Guest. Now, if every unthankful man were thus used, there would be many a blistered forehead amongst us. Oh the unthankfulness that we show unto God, who, when we were strangers to Him, shipwrecked even in an ocean of sin, sent His Son Christ Jesus to deliver us, yet we refuse to receive Him, to relieve Him in His distressed members, and to be obedient to His blessed commands I And then our ingratitude to one another is such that though we come off with smooth fronts here in this world, yet such characters of shame and confusion are engraven on our souls that men and angels shall read them with amazement when the books shall be laid open (Dan_7:10). (J. Spencer.)
