“Much confusion arises from misunderstanding the biblical term “sojourner” (Hebrew: ger). The sojourner in Israel was not an anonymous border-crosser with no accountability. He or she was someone who lived among the people with permission, under the law, and in submission to Israel’s civil and moral expectations. One of the best examples of a proper sojourner in the Bible is Ruth who was a Moabite woman. Ruth submitted to Israel’s laws, renounced her former gods, and assimilated into the culture and society with humility and faithfulness. Boaz ensured she gleaned and could eat, and servants showed her kindness and favor. No one in their right mind would ever lobby for the intentional mistreatment of a sojourner in the Scriptures because genuine sojourners were submissive to the nation they came to in their great time of need. “

The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw.

O LORD, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
And You will not save.
Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

“Your country is desolate,
­    your cities burned with fire;
your fields are being stripped by foreigners
    right before you,
    laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.”