Deuteronomy 10:19

Notice the way Moses sets the divine example before the people as their model. It is both interesting and instructive. The Lord "loves the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love the stranger therefore; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." This is very touching. They were not only to keep the divine model before their eyes. They were also to remember their own past history and experience, so that their hearts would go out in sympathy and compassion toward the poor homeless stranger. It was the binding duty and high privilege of the Israel of God to put themselves in the circumstances of others and enter into their feelings. They were to be the moral representatives of the One whose people they were, and whose name was called on them.

But the love of God necessarily implies the desire to become morally like Him; and so the law becomes a means to this. In His commandments we learn Himself... Despite this, the law plainly requires the imitation of God Himself.

This great God of Israel shows no partiality and takes no bribe. Instead He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and He shows love toward strangers (v. 18). How totally unlike this are the great majority of rulers in the world today! Law courts too often show sad disregard for justice. The poor often suffer gross injustice. Meanwhile the wealthy use their money to twist judicial action in their own favour. Believers may well be deeply thankful for a God who is perfectly just and faithful.

Israel themselves had known "the heart of a stranger" by bitter experience. More than that, they were still taught to count themselves as strangers even in their own land, and so to prove to themselves that love of His to strangers of which He speaks: "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is Mine: for you are strangers and sojourners with Me."

God loves the stranger (Deut. 10:18). He loves the poor, friendless stranger with the love of pity and of grace, and provides for him. But there is also the separated stranger, who has turned his back on this polluted scene. With him God links His name and His honour, and owns such a person without shame. Hebrews 11:13-16.

Had Israel circumcised their hearts, a second thing would have marked them. They would have shown love to the stranger who might be among them. We are to display the love that has reached us by seeking others with the Gospel of the grace of God.

They were also urged to follow the example of the Lord in loving the stranger (Deut. 10:18-19). But the law demanded, and it gave no power to obey. So it only showed how completely unable man in the flesh is to meet its requirements.

Nor should their love confine itself within the house. The God of their worship is a lover of the stranger (Deut. 10:18-19). In His gracious kindness to people He had helped them when they were strangers. He had clothed them in their nakedness and had given them His living bread to eat. What they had freely received they should be ready to share.