Loving Others with God’s Love
The people of Le Chambon, France, risked everything to help save the lives of as many as five thousand individuals, many of them Jewish children, during the Nazi occupation. The refugees fleeing their homes were hidden in the community’s homes and farms. The townspeople were inspired by pastor André Trocmé, who called on his congregation to help by referencing the words of Deuteronomy 10:19, “You are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
This command given to the Israelites comes in a passage that begins with the reminder that the whole earth belongs to God, who is “mighty and awesome” (v. 17). Yet God chose to love the Israelites (v. 15). He also cares for people in vulnerable or unfamiliar situations (v. 18), including foreigners who weren’t part of the nation of Israel. As the Israelites settled in their new home, they were to imitate God’s love and care for those needing help, especially because they knew the unique struggles of being a foreigner (v. 19).
If we’ve been at a job a long time or lived in the same home for several years, God may give us the opportunity to show kindness to someone who feels like a “foreigner,” perhaps by providing helpful advice to a new coworker or assistance to a recently relocated family. When we do, we demonstrate God’s love to those in unfamiliar, and often vulnerable, situations.
By Lisa M. Samra - Bread Ministries
Deuteronomy 10:14-19 (NIV)
14 To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. 15 Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. 16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.
