LEV 19:33-34 Do Not Mistreat Foreigner Law / Treat Foreigner as Native Law / Love Foreigner as Yourself Law

Law

• If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 

• The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, 

• And you shall love him as yourself;

Judgment

None specific.

Biblical Example

• This is a biblical example of the 'Do Not Mistreat Foreigner Law,' 'Treat Foreigner as Native Law,' and 'Love Foreigner as Yourself Law' being followed.

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them. Haven’t I commanded the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink from that which the young men have drawn.”

10 Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”

11 Boaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before. 12 May Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

Ruth 2:8-12 (WEB)

This biblical example refers to Ruth and Boaz. During this time, Ruth, a Moabite woman, had recently become a widow. She was childless and facing hardship along with her mother-in-law, Naomi. After moving to Bethlehem with Naomi, Ruth went out to gather leftover grain from the fields after the reapers had finished their harvest. Boaz, a relative of Ruth’s deceased husband, noticed her in his field, blessed her, and later married her. They are the great-grandparents of King David through his father’s lineage.