“From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their appointed times in history.”
Scripturally it follows throughout that Nations fall as God withdraws His blessing and favour from them .
They rise when God gives a nation space to pour out His blessing upon it.
As they fall both in the OT and the NT, they go into exile and it relates to how obedient its individuals and leadership are to being hospitable to the least, the refugees, the persecuted.
“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
When the outsider is welcomed and sheltered it is as if it were Jesus being treated so in disguise
“And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’’
God will favour and back Nations who love His kingdom values and treat others equal to how they would wish to be treated.
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
It costs and we have to deny temptation for looking after number one and our own first when we respect equality rightly.
Our resources come from the Lord’s hands and are not from ours to be greedy with. The more we give the more we are blessed to receive is His principle. We are not entitled to be more deserving or prideful of that.
Scripture is full of opportunities to think inclusively and lovingly for all.
How we treat refugees basically is how we treat God.
“For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in, and when I was poorly clothed, you covered me. When I was sick, you tenderly cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me.’ “Then the godly will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and give you food and something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and invite you in? When did we see you poorly clothed and cover you? When did we see you sick and tenderly care for you, or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’”
The enemy assignment to break down family and community connection and oneness is prevalent.
It calls for our response to be one of calling it out, exposing and being the voice of love and wisdom in the world. Set apart to accuse all individuals and systems that do not embrace this.
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
In Isaiah it promises that our light will then arise in the darkness.
God brings both ruin and revival as He reaps the harvest.
People are as individuals saved and Nations rise and fall as we are obedient to His kingdom values of justice.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels”
Our actions of showing hospitality to strangers have a spiritual significance.
The illustration shows God throwing light upon the plight of the refugee, homeless, displaced poor and persecuted. The fear of the Lord when what we do for these we do to Him. Light emanating to push back the darkness.
Eight Scriptures that come to mind:
“From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their appointed times in history.”Acts 17:26 TPT
“and all the nations will be gathered together before him. And like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats, he will separate all the people.” Matthew 25:32 TPT
““You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9 ESV
““And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’’ Matthew 25:40 TPT
““When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34 ESV
“For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in, and when I was poorly clothed, you covered me. When I was sick, you tenderly cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me.’ “Then the godly will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and give you food and something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and invite you in? When did we see you poorly clothed and cover you? When did we see you sick and tenderly care for you, or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’’ Matthew 25:35-40 TPT
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.”Proverbs 31:8 ESV
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2 ESV
The song Vagabonds. Stuart Townend
Lessisgreater 