The Bible speaks with compassion and concern for the plight of refugees, emphasizing the importance of offering shelter, support, and justice to those who are displaced and vulnerable. It teaches that caring for refugees is not just an act of kindness but a reflection of God’s character and a response to His commands. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s people both as refugees themselves and as those called to assist others in need. This dual perspective highlights the value of empathy, hospitality, and advocacy in responding to the challenges faced by refugees, urging us to see them as individuals made in the image of God, deserving of dignity and help.
Curious about what the Bible says regarding our responsibility towards refugees? Let’s explore the scriptural insights on embracing and supporting those seeking refuge.
What Does the Bible Say About Refugees?
The Bible is rich in teachings and examples that underscore God’s concern for the welfare of refugees and migrants. From the stories of the Israelites seeking refuge in Egypt to the commands given to Israel regarding the treatment of strangers, the Bible consistently advocates for compassion, justice, and hospitality towards those who are displaced.
God’s instructions to His people include specific commands to care for the alien, the orphan, and the widow—groups that are often most vulnerable in times of displacement and crisis. These instructions are rooted in the Israelites’ own experience of being foreigners and refugees, reminding them and us to extend empathy and support to those in similar situations.
Moreover, the New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Himself embodying the life of a refugee as His family fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s decree. His teachings further emphasize love, kindness, and hospitality as essential expressions of faith, applicable to how we treat refugees and all who are marginalized.
The biblical approach to refugees also involves advocating for their rights and justice, challenging oppressive systems that contribute to displacement. It calls for a community response, where caring for the stranger is not just an individual act of charity but a collective, societal obligation.
This perspective is not only historical or theoretical; it is deeply practical, offering guidance on how to live out God’s commands in today’s world. It challenges modern followers of Christ to consider how they can be a refuge to those in need, encouraging actions that reflect God’s love and justice.
Bible Verses About Refugees
- Exodus 22:21 – “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” This command reminds God’s people of their own history as foreigners and the empathy they should have for refugees and migrants.
- Leviticus 19:34 – “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” This verse expands on the command to love and treat foreigners with the same respect and rights as one’s own people.
- Deuteronomy 10:18-19 – “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” God’s care for refugees is highlighted as an example for His people to follow.
- Matthew 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Jesus identifies Himself with the stranger, teaching that serving refugees is akin to serving Him.
- Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” This New Testament verse encourages believers to practice hospitality, echoing the Old Testament commands.
- Psalm 146:9 – “The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” This Psalm affirms God’s protective care for the vulnerable, including refugees.
- Zechariah 7:10 – “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” The prophets also call for justice and compassion towards the displaced and marginalized.
- Jeremiah 22:3 – “This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” This verse emphasizes justice and protection for those who are vulnerable, including refugees.
- Malachi 3:5 – “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.” God declares His judgment on those who oppress or deny justice to refugees and other vulnerable groups.
- 1 Peter 4:9 – “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” This New Testament teaching encourages believers to practice hospitality, a principle that extends to how we treat refugees.
The Bible’s teachings on refugees emphasize God’s deep concern for the welfare and justice of those who are displaced and vulnerable. It calls His people to action, encouraging us to extend hospitality, love, and support to refugees as a reflection of God’s character. By doing so, we not only obey God’s commands but also embody the love and compassion of Christ in a world in need. Through these verses, we are reminded that our response to refugees is a tangible expression of our faith and a vital part of living out the gospel.