Migrant workers who went with great expectations were disillusioned by poor living conditions and wage theft by companies that brought them to Singapore. (National Herald India, 24 June 2026) The Bible teaches to understand the ‘heart’ of a sojourner, or migrant, or refugee. (Exodus 23:9)
Sojourner: The word refers to a temporary resident (for education, job, medical treatment, employment, etc.). They are neither natives nor citizens; hence, they will not have legal rights and will become vulnerable to greedy employers and covetous wicked people.
Israel as a sojourner: The Children of Israel went as migrants during famine, but ended up as slaves in Egypt. God redeemed them from Egyptian oppression and brought them out of slavery and established them as a nation. Hence, Israelites should resonate with the heart or feelings of a migrant or sojourner and treat them with dignity. The migrants or sojourners should not be oppressed, exploited, taken advantage of, deceived, marginalized, or discriminated against.
Empathy: The Israelites knew, understood, experienced, and suffered in Egypt as sojourners. Hence, it is possible to empathize with such people. That would dictate their policies of governance.
Fear: Migrants are afraid of their own safety, and also the safety of those whom they have left behind at home. Even if they have heard good things about the host city or country, there is doubt that causes fear and anxiety. Some come with great expectations, but find their imaginations were too exaggerated.
Loneliness: Being far away from home means losing familiarity with place, people, food, climate, social norms, and culture. Even if they are in a better place, a sense of loneliness grips them. They feel they are like orphans or fatherless or defender less.
Hopelessness: when the migrants consider their future, a kind of darkness overcomes them. The Israelites, as slaves, did not even have the concept or awareness of freedom. They learnt only when Moses came and taught them. Hence, the gospel is essential for all migrants as it is their only hope.
Do I offer hope of the gospel to the sojourners in my vicinity?