THEOSISVissarion (Nechaev)
The individuals mentioned in this passage include foreigners who had settled among the Israelites as free residents, servants, travelers, or temporary sojourners in the land of Israel. The Lord, having chosen the Israelites as His treasured people distinct from other nations, did not desire this privilege to cause Him to disregard or alienate them. Rather, out of love for His people, He ensured that they would not be harmed or slighted by outsiders. He is the God who brings justice to the alien. “One judgment shall ye have, both for the stranger and for the native” (Lev. 24:22), according to the divine command.
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The cities of refuge—established so that those who had unintentionally committed manslaughter could find sanctuary until a trial occurred—were accessible to both natives and foreigners alike (Num. 35:15). Material well-being was not reserved solely for the native population in Israel, but extended to the strangers as well. The Lord loves the foreigner, providing them with sustenance and clothing. Although strangers could not own land among the Israelites, they sustained themselves through trade, work, crafts, military service, and similar means. Additionally, the Mosaic Law imposes on the Israelites the duty to allow aliens to partake of the tithe from their agricultural produce every three years (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), to leave grains in the field during harvests, and to allow the unharvested fruit to remain within their orchards (Deuteronomy 24:19-21). In return, those living among the Israelites were expected to honor the true God, offer sacrifices in the temple (Lev. 17:8), observe the Sabbath law (Ex. 20:10, Ex. 23:12), and, if they were servants, to undergo circumcision. The Lord particularly favored the Idumeans and Egyptians; according to the Mosaic Law, their descendants, after three generations, could fully integrate into the community of the Lord (Deuteronomy 24:8), granted they were circumcised.
The God of Israel, who safeguards the foreigners, is also a defender of widows and orphans, bringing justice to the needy and vulnerable. The plight of these individuals, who lose their primary earthly support with the death of the family head, is truly tragic. However, the heavenly Father watches over them, so no one should wrong them without consequence. He instructed His people in His law: “You shall not oppress widows or orphans. But if you oppress them, when they cry out to Me, I will hear their cry, and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children orphans” (Ex. 22:22-24). The Law of Moses places a severe curse on anyone who unjustly judges the alien, orphan, or widow (Deuteronomy 27:19). This offense is among those for which the Lord warned the Israelites of impending ruin and exile (Is. 10:4; Ezek. 22:7-15).