"Old Testament Israel had very clear laws protecting foreigners living in the land. Solomon, in an inspired prayer, prayed that God would answer all the prayers of foreigners, "so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you" (I Kings 8:43). Aliens were not to be mistreated (Exodus 22:21) or deprived justice (Malachi 3:5); instead, they were to be given land (Ezekial 47:22) and loved (Deuteronomy 10:19). The book of Ruth is about an alien - a Moabitess - who was included in the royal line of David and Jesus.

All this was an imitation of God's love to Israel, who themselves had been aliens (Exodus 22:21, 23:9; Leviticus 19:34). In fact, they were always aliens. "The land is mine," said the Lord, "and you are but aliens and my tenants" (Leviticus 25:33). As aliens who were blessed by God, they treated other people the way God had treated them."

- Edward Welch