Deuteronomy 10:19
“Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”
What does Deuteronomy 10:19 mean?
God's command here is rooted in memory and empathy. The Israelites had lived as outsiders in Egypt, experiencing what it meant to be vulnerable and dependent on the mercy of others, and they're being reminded not to forget that feeling when dealing with people who are strangers in their own land now. This isn't just about being nice; it's about recognizing your shared humanity with someone who doesn't belong. When you've known what it's like to be on the outside, you have the chance to choose differently and to extend the same compassion you needed back then.