You won’t find the word “refugee” in the Bible, but you will find refugees! Some of the most important people in Scripture were refugees.
Jesus and His parents fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s infanticide. Moses and the Israelites were delivered from Egyptian tyranny into the Promised Land. Early Church believers fled Jerusalem to save their lives, and as a result, the Gospel spread to new parts of the world. The Apostle John was exiled to Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation. Each of these individuals fled their homeland after being singled out by leaders as targets of persecution. In other words, they were refugees!
Time after time, God has taken the tragedy of forced migration and used it to fulfill His purposes. He has always shown extraordinary concern for refugees—and He still does today. He is working out His plans and purposes for Cambodians fleeing their country, Mozambicans running for their lives in Africa, and Cubans who fled Castro to reach the shores of Florida.
God has not left us to guess how we, as a nation or as His people, should treat these individuals who are so close to His heart. The crowning passage that declares God’s concern is found in Matthew 25. When we stand before our Lord on the day of judgment, He will ask us how we treated people who fit the description of a refugee—strangers, the hungry and thirsty, those in need of clothes, the sick, and the imprisoned. Each of these characteristics parallels the plight of modern-day refugees.
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’ Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” — Matthew 25:34-36, 40
Numerous texts in the Bible describe how God wants us to treat refugees—the strangers, the poor, the aliens, and the sojourners in our midst. Seven key principles highlight God’s abiding concern for refugees.
1. God Loves, Protects, and Provides for Refugees
He watches over them (Psalm 146:9).
He provides refuge, shelter from the storm, and shade from the heat (Psalm 9:9; Isaiah 25:4).
He shows no partiality between natives and refugees—they are equal in His sight (Deuteronomy 10:16-19; Numbers 15:16).
He defends their cause, providing food and clothing for them (Deuteronomy 10:16-19).
Jesus announced His ministry was to help and serve those in refugee-like situations (Luke 4:16-21).
2. God Expects His People to Love Refugees and Give Freely to Help Them
Love refugees as you love yourselves (Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:16-19).
Treat refugees fairly and stand up for them when they are mistreated (Psalm 82:4; Exodus 22:21; Zechariah 7:9-10).
Share your food, clothing, and shelter with them (Isaiah 58:6-11; Luke 3:10; Matthew 25:31-46).
Invite them into your homes (Hebrews 13:2; Isaiah 58:6-11; Luke 14:12-13).
Set aside part of your income to help them (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 24:19-21; James 1:27).
Sell your possessions if necessary to help them (Luke 12:33; Matthew 19:21).
Encourage them (Isaiah 1:17).
3. Compassion Toward Refugees Is a Fundamental Indicator of True Faith
God will ask believers how they treated refugees when they stand before Him (Luke 14:12-13; Matthew 25:31-46).
4. God Expects Nations to Rescue, Accept, and Treat Refugees Fairly
Rescue refugees from persecuting nations (Isaiah 16:3-5).
Provide them shelter and safety (Isaiah 16:3-5).
Never return refugees to their oppressors; let them live among you (Deuteronomy 23:15).
Allow them to choose where they will live among you (Deuteronomy 23:15).
Treat refugees fairly and equally under the law (Leviticus 19:34; Numbers 15:16).
Set aside part of your income to help them (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12).
5. God Blesses Individuals and Nations That Care for Refugees
He blesses them and the work of their hands (Deuteronomy 24:19-21).
He answers their prayers (Isaiah 58:6-11).
His glory protects them (Psalm 41:1-3; Isaiah 58:6-11).
He strengthens them physically (Isaiah 58:6-11; Psalm 41:1-3).
He satisfies their needs (Proverbs 28:27; Isaiah 58:6-11).
He will repay them at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:12-13; Matthew 25:31-46).
6. God Warns Against Mistreating Refugees
Nations that withhold justice from refugees are under God’s judgment and curse (Deuteronomy 27:19; Ezekiel 22:9-11; Malachi 3:5).
He will not answer the prayers of those who ignore the cries of refugees (Proverbs 21:13).
Those who neglect refugees will receive many curses (Proverbs 28:27).
Oppressing the poor shows contempt toward God (Proverbs 14:31).
A nation’s right to its land depends on how it treats refugees (Jeremiah 5:5-7).
7. Caring for Refugees Is a Direct Expression of Love and Service to God
When we care for refugees, we are serving the Lord Himself (Matthew 25).
