Saturday, April 27, 2013

X is for Xenophobia...


X is for Xenophobia

The online definition is:

 fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign

I can think of several people who may have Xenophobia.  Unfortunately we hear of it every day in the world.  We tend to call it racism or hate.  Xenophobia was also prevalent in biblical times.

‘And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.  And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.  Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.’    Genesis 21:8-10

‘Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?’    Ruth 2:10

Foreigners were not always welcomed in Israel but Boaz welcomed Ruth because of her reputation of being kind and generous with others.

‘And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws; therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.  If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.  And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jew’s enemy.  And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.’    Esther 3:8-11

‘Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.’    Jeremiah 22:3

We need more than good works to save us; we have to live obediently to God.

‘And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.  Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.’    Ezekiel 11:9-10

‘And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.’     Luke 17:11-19

These scriptures show us even in Biblical times there were people that were hated and treated badly, but we need to remember Jesus loves everyone.  And He alone provides a way for us to deal with those who despise us or mistreat us.

until next time…nel

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