Bible Reading: Exodus 23,24; Matthew 20:1-17
“… Thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in a foreign land.” Exodus 23:9 (KJV)
Have you ever travelled to an area or country far from your homeland where you know nobody? If yes, how did you feel being so far from home? How was the treatment you received from your host? It was quite an experience, right? Either you must have given your host something to remember or you got something from your host.
The Israelites were received warmly into Egypt when Joseph was a ruler. But after the demise of Joseph and the King, another King came and the reality dawned on the Israelites for the first time that they were strangers in Egypt. He was so hard on them God had to come down through Moses to deliver them. That experience in their later days in Egypt was one God reminded them, “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9 (NASB).
Strangers in time past were agents of blessings to many. Some of them turned out to be angels! Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Abraham was nice to strangers who turned out to be angels, and they brought Isaac (Genesis 18:2-15). Lot also entertained strangers, who unknown to him, were angels, and he and almost all his family were saved from destruction (Genesis 19:1-29). Most developments and inventions in many cities today were brought by strangers.
God hates it when you oppress strangers. Besides, you will one day travel or move to an area and you become a stranger. How will you feel if oppressed? But please note that the enemy, Satan, always disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and so some strangers have caused havoc in some homes or towns. So, be sensitive and deal with all men wisely and lovingly.
So, be nice to people you meet today. Share the word with them and listen to them also. You never can tell who that person is. Angels are still walking with us every day.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu