What does the Bible say about refugees and immigrants?

How should God's people respond to foreigners?

• Abraham as a host at Mamre. Genesis 18:1-8
• Lot as a host at Sodom Genesis 19:1-3

Jesus teaches us how we should treat others.

• Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
• Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13
• Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2

God cares deeply for the oppressed, the vulnerable and the poor - including the foreigner.

• The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
• Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice... Deuteronomy 24:17
• The Lord protects the foreigners, He defends the orphans and widows... Psalm 146:9
• When someone from another country moves into your neighborhood, don't take advantage of him and mistreat him. Treat like him any other citizen that was born in your country. Give him the same advantages, respect, and love that you have for yourself. Leviticus 19:34
• ...I was a stranger and you welcomed me... Matthew 25:35
• Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Heb 13:2
• When you are harvesting in your field and you over look a sheaf, do not go back and get it... When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time... Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Deuteronomy 24:19-22

Other verses in the bible that talk about helping the poor and the alien:

Exodus 22:21, Malachi 3:5, Deuteronomy 27:19, Leviticus 23:22, Matt 2:13, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Psalm 140:12, Psalm 103:6-7, Psalm 72:1-4, Isaiah 58:10, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 31:8-9

Lets look at some refugees and immigrants in the Bible.

1. Who in the Bible was an unaccompanied or separated minor child?
   • Joseph, Jesus, Moses, Samuel
2. Who in the Bible was an economic migrant?
   • Jacob, Abraham, Daniel, Ruth
3. Who in the Bible was sponsored by a family member to immigrate?
   • Jacob and sons, Ruth
4. Who in the Bible was an evacuee or refugee of natural disaster?
   • Jacob and sons, Ruth, Lot, Noah
5. Who in the Bible was a refugee due to persecution, violence or the threat of persecution and violence?
   • Israelites, Moses, Paul, Jacob, Mary, Joseph x 2, Jesus, David