Exodus 23:9

Exodus 23:9 is a powerful command within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing justice, compassion, and empathy towards non-Israelites residing among the community. This verse serves as a foundational ethical principle for the nascent nation, rooted deeply in their collective memory of oppression.

Context

This verse is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), a collection of laws and statutes delivered by God to Moses shortly after the Ten Commandments. These laws detail how Israel was to live as a holy nation, covering civil, social, and ceremonial matters. Within this section, there's a strong emphasis on social justice, particularly the protection of the vulnerable, including the poor, widows, orphans, and the ger (stranger or resident alien). The command not to oppress the stranger is given alongside injunctions to protect the poor and ensure fair legal proceedings, highlighting God's concern for equitable treatment for all within the community.

Key Themes

• Empathy and Remembrance: The core of this command lies in Israel's own history. God reminds them, "for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Having personally experienced the harshness of being enslaved and oppressed in Egypt, they were uniquely positioned to understand the vulnerability and fear of those without native protection. This shared experience was to cultivate compassion.
• Justice and Protection of the Vulnerable: The command directly prohibits "oppression," which in Hebrew (lachats) implies crushing, afflicting, or exploiting. This was a specific protection for the ger, who often lacked family land, tribal connections, or legal standing, making them susceptible to abuse. God's law provided a framework for their safety and dignity, reflecting a broader biblical call for love for the stranger.
• God's Character Reflected: By requiring Israel to treat the stranger justly, God was teaching them to reflect His own character of righteousness and compassion. He Himself is portrayed as one who cares for the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:18), and Israel was to imitate this divine attribute.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stranger" here is ger (גֵּר), which specifically refers to a resident alien or sojourner—someone who has left their homeland and settled in a foreign land. This is distinct from a casual visitor. The ger was a permanent or semi-permanent resident who lived among the Israelites but was not ethnically an Israelite. The command "thou shalt not oppress" uses the verb lachats (לָחַץ), meaning to press, squeeze, oppress, or afflict. It conveys a strong sense of unjust hardship inflicted upon a weaker party. The phrase "know the heart of a stranger" is a profound call to empathy, inviting the Israelites to recall their own feelings of vulnerability, longing, and dependence when they were in Egypt.

Practical Application

Exodus 23:9 remains profoundly relevant today, offering timeless principles for how societies and individuals should interact with those who are different or vulnerable. It calls us to:

• Cultivate Empathy: To remember our own past struggles, challenges, or experiences of being an "outsider" so that we can better understand and sympathize with others in similar situations, whether they are immigrants, refugees, or simply new to a community.
• Advocate for Justice: To ensure that laws and social practices protect the rights and dignity of all, especially those who may be marginalized or lack a voice. This includes standing against exploitation and discrimination.
• Practice Compassionate Hospitality: To extend welcome and kindness to those who are new or different, recognizing their inherent worth and the challenges they may face. This echoes the New Testament command to love your neighbor as yourself, which certainly includes the stranger.

The verse reminds us that true righteousness includes active compassion and a commitment to justice for everyone, especially those on the fringes of society.