Who was the strangest stranger that ever lived on this earth?
(Deut. 10:1-19; Psa. 146:5-10; James 1:27-2:11) Blog Oct. 24-30, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Moses began his farewell address with a brief review of Israel’s history. God wanted his people to realize his loving care in their past history and to trust his good laws for their future wellbeing. The book of Deuteronomy is “The Book of the Covenant” for it emphasizes God’s covenantal love for his people and his desire that they love him in return.
Love for Strangers
1. How does Moses describe God in Deuteronomy 10:17? Moses says: “The LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward” (emphasizing his power & justice) (Deut. 10:17).
2. With whom does Moses say that God especially deals justly? God especially deals justly with the fatherless, widows, & strangers (Deut. 10:18).
3. How does Moses say that God shows his love for strangers? God shows his love for strangers by giving them clothing & food (Deut. 10:18).
4. When Moses speaks of “strangers,” of whom is he speaking? Our Bibles use the word “strangers” to refer to foreigners. This can also include refugees, those of other races, and those of other faiths (Gen. 15:13; Deut. 10:18).
5. Since God loves foreigners what does he ask of his people? God asks his people to treat foreigners with kindness and tender regard for they were also foreigners in Egypt (Ex. 22:21; Lev. 19:34; Deut. 10:19).
6. Does Moses teach God’s people that they are to treat strangers equally in every area of life? No, Moses separates certain religious aspects of life in which strangers are not given equal standing with God’s people – they cannot become rulers or priests, nor can they partake of the Passover unless they are circumcised, but they are to observe the weekly & annual rest days (Ex. 12:43, 48; 20:11; Lev. 16:29; Deut. 5:14; 17:15)
7. During what activities of God’s people were they to especially remember foreigners, widows, and fatherless? God’s people were especially to remember the marginalized portions of society during harvest, (for they were to leave all the gleanings for them) & when celebrating the third tithe (Deut. 14:29; 24:19-22).
8. In what area of life does Moses make special emphasis regarding equality for strangers, widows and orphans? Moses especially emphasizes equality for strangers, widows and orphans in the area of legal justice (Deut. 1:16; 24:17; 27:19)
Heart Surgery
9. What precondition does Moses give for us being able to love foreigners, refugees, and those of other faiths? The precondition for us being able to love foreigners, refugees, & those of other faiths is that our hearts be circumcised — for only a change of heart wrought by God’s Holy Spirit can plant true love for others in us (Deut. 10:16; Rom. 5:5)
10. Of what was circumcision a sign? Circumcision of the flesh was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham but here in Deuteronomy God applies it to our sinful hearts (Gen. 17:13; Deut. 10:16; Col. 2:10)
11. In Ephesians 2, who does Paul call strangers? Paul refers to those dead in sins (the unsaved) as strangers to God’s covenant of grace (Eph. 2:1-3, 19).
12. If circumcision of the heart is revealed by a changed life that exhibits love towards others what should that tell us about God’s everlasting covenant? One of the evidences that a person is under God’s everlasting covenant will be a life of love towards others (Deut. 7:9; Gal. 5:22; 1 John 2:10)
13. What practical aspects of covenantal love does Moses mention in Deuteronomy 24? Moses says that when lending to the poor one should not retain their security overnight if it is needed for the borrowers rest, nor should one postpone wages to the needy (Deut. 24:10-15).
New Testament Confirmation
14. Who was the strangest stranger that ever lived on this earth? Jesus was the strangest, homeless stranger that ever lived on this earth (Matt. 8:20).
15. When Jesus depicts those in need, under what circumstances does he say that we help him? Jesus says when we clothe those who lack covering or give drink to the thirsty or visit the sick or those in prison we do it to him (Matt. 25:35-36).
16. What kind of people helped Jesus during his earthy life? And what kind did not? Poor, humble fishermen and marginalized rich men & women helped Jesus during his earthly life while most wealthy religious leaders spurned and persecuted him (Mark 1:16-30; 15:40-46).
17. What does James say we should do for widows and orphans? James says we should visit widows & orphans & help them in their affliction while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
18. How does James say that we often deal with those of different economic standing? James says we show favoritism to the rich while trating the poor in a different manner & that to do this is sin for we should love others as much as we love ourselves (James 2:1-9).
19. What godly counsel do Paul and John give regarding strangers? In First Timothy Paul commends women who have lodged strangers & relieved the afflicted. In Hebrews he reminds us to entertain strangers. John, in his third epistle, commends his reader for his care of brethren & strangers (1 Tim. 5:10; Heb. 13:2; 3 John 1:5).