The term “sojourner” appears frequently throughout the Bible, referring to someone who lives as a temporary resident or foreigner in a land that is not their homeland. Understanding the biblical concept of a sojourner provides insight into God’s heart for immigrants, refugees, and displaced people. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about sojourners.
Old Testament Usage of Sojourner
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated as “sojourner” is ger. It refers to a person living in a place where they are not a full citizen. Sojourners lacked the rights and privileges of native-born Israelites but were supposed to receive compassion and fair treatment. God reminded the Israelites to love sojourners since they had once been sojourners in Egypt (Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9).
Sojourners appear in various Old Testament contexts. Abraham described himself as an “alien and a sojourner” during his life of wandering (Genesis 23:4). The Israelites were commanded to include sojourners along with the poor and Levites in their feasting during festivals (Deuteronomy 16:11, 14). Sojourners received protections under the law similar to widows and orphans (Deuteronomy 24:17-18). God reminded the Israelites that the land they lived in belonged to Him and that they were “strangers and sojourners” with Him (Leviticus 25:23).
These Old Testament passages reveal God’s compassionate stance toward sojourners. As people who suffered hardship in a foreign land, sojourners warranted special care and inclusion in the community. God wanted the Israelites to treat sojourners as they wanted to be treated when they themselves lived as aliens in Egypt.
New Testament Usage of Sojourner
In the Greek New Testament, the word translated “sojourner” is paroikos. It refers to someone who lives in a place temporarily as a resident alien. Like ger in the Old Testament, it denotes a foreigner without full citizen rights. Paroikos only appears twice in the New Testament.
In Acts 7:29, Moses is called a “sojourner” in the land of Midian after he fled from Egypt. This depicts Moses living away from his homeland as a temporary resident in a foreign region. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul tells Gentile Christians “…you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Here, sojourners stand in contrast to full citizens in God’s kingdom who gain equal status through faith in Christ.
Qualities of Sojourners
Although the Bible contains relatively few direct references to sojourners, some consistent qualities emerge:
- Sojourners live temporarily in a foreign place, away from their true homeland.
- They lack the full legal and social standing of native-born residents.
- Sojourners suffer hardship and alienation as outsiders in an unfamiliar culture.
- God calls His people to love and protect sojourners in their distress.
These principles shaped Israel’s obligations toward sojourners in the Old Testament. They also reflect the status of Christian believers, whose citizenship lies in heaven according to the New Testament (Philippians 3:20).
Israel’s Laws Regarding Treatment of Sojourners
God instituted extensive legal protections for sojourners within the law He gave to Israel. These include:
- Sojourners were not to be mistreated or oppressed (Exodus 22:21).
- Sojourners were eligible for temporary shelter within Israel’s cities of refuge (Numbers 35:15).
- Sojourners were granted gleaning rights to obtain food from fields (Leviticus 19:10).
- Sojourners were to receive fair and prompt payment for wages (Deuteronomy 24:14-15).
- Sojourners were required to comply with Sabbath regulations (Exodus 20:10).
- Sojourners were liable for blasphemy and could receive capital punishment (Leviticus 24:16).
- Sojourners were restricted from eating the Passover meal unless circumcised (Exodus 12:48-49).
Overall, the Mosaic Law sought to defend sojourners and integrate them into Israelite society. Sojourners enjoyed extensive protections and provisions along with obligation to obey certain laws.
metaphors Describing God’s People as Sojourners
The Bible commonly depicts God’s people metaphorically as sojourners and exiles on earth:
- As sojourners, believers in Christ recognize earth is a temporary dwelling not their permanent home (Hebrews 11:13-16).
- Like sojourners, Christians await their entrance into an eternal heavenly homeland (2 Corinthians 5:6-9).
- Believers live as strangers in the world who don’t conform to its sinful ways (1 Peter 2:11).
- The church collectively exists as sojourners and exiles during this present age (1 Peter 1:1, 17).
These metaphors remind believers that life on earth is fleeting. Christians await resurrection into a glorious inheritance imperishable and eternal. This hope enables believers to persevere as sojourners who don’t put ultimate hope in earthly comforts.
Applying “Sojourner” to Christian Life
The biblical theme of sojourning has several implications for Christians today:
- Citizenship – Believers have a heavenly citizenship that supersedes earthly national identity.
- Stewardship – Christians should wisely steward possessions knowing earth is not their home.
- Ethics – Sojourners seek to live holy lives pleasing to God in an unholy world.
- Hospitality – Churches must show hospitality to fellow sojourners of all nations.
- Justice – Sojourners should advocate for human rights of immigrants, refugees and international workers.
- Evangelism – Christians proclaim salvation to lost sojourners headed for eternal destruction.
The sojourner concept enriches Christian identity and mission. It expands believer’s vision beyond comforts of this world to the greater glories lying ahead for God’s people.
Famous Sojourners in the Bible
Many major biblical figures endured seasons of living as sojourners:
- Abraham – Called the father of all who believe, Abraham spent much of his life as a nomad and alien in Canaan (Genesis 23:4).
- Jacob – Abraham’s grandson Jacob fled his homeland because of his deceit and lived as a sojourner for 20 years (Genesis 32:4).
- Moses – After killing an Egyptian, Moses became a lowly shepherd sojourning in Midian for 40 years (Acts 7:29-30).
- Ruth – This Moabite widow gave up her homeland to sojourn in Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi (Ruth 1:1-22).
- Daniel – Taken as an exile to Babylon, Daniel served God faithfully as a sojourner in a pagan nation.
- Paul – The apostle Paul experienced frequent suffering during his sojourning ministry across the Roman Empire.
The trials these sojourners faced equipped them for faithful service to God. Their example encourages modern believers in their pilgrimage as sojourners on earth.
Jesus Christ the Supreme Sojourner
In his earthly ministry, Jesus epitomized the identity of a sojourner:
- He possessed heavenly glory before dwelling on earth as a man (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-7).
- Though King of the universe, Christ took the form of a lowly servant during His incarnation (Mark 10:45).
- Jesus had no earthly home despite deserving full honors (Luke 9:58; John 4:44).
- He endured rejection and injustice ultimately leading to the cross.
- After rising from the grave, Christ ascended victorious back to heaven as His true home.
Jesus fully relates with the pain of sojourning on earth as a foreigner. Believers find great hope in Christ’s resurrection and glorification – the same destination promised to all citizens of His eternal kingdom.
New Testament Hospitality Toward Sojourners
The early church practiced hospitality toward Christian sojourners in fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching:
- Jesus told His disciples to show hospitality even to strangers (Matthew 25:35).
- Paul commended practice of hospitality as virtue for leaders (1 Timothy 3:2)
- Peter exhorted kindness and hospitality toward fellow believers (1 Peter 4:9).
- Biblical hospitality involved lodging, meals, aid for journeying sojourners.
- Churches helped provide lodging, aid, letters of recommendation for traveling teachers.
- Financial support given to those ministering as sojourners (3 John 1:5-8).
The household of God cares for its own. As eternal citizens together, Christians meet needs of sojourning spiritual brothers and sisters.
Lessons for the Church
Key lessons emerge for churches today regarding sojourners:
- Remember identity as sojourners on earth headed to our eternal home.
- Cultivate holy lives separate from sinful ways of the world.
- Welcome sojourners of all nations into the household of God.
- Practice hospitality from rightly recognizing we’re only temporarily dwelling on earth.
- Prepare to suffer as sojourners who don’t conform to surrounding culture.
- Recruit and send missionaries to reach lost sojourners worldwide.
- Aid Christian refugees and immigrants transitioning as sojourners.
Fulfilling these ministries keeps a church focused on eternal purposes of God for sojourning believers.
Sojourners Finding Spiritual Rest
Despite difficulties faced on earth, sojourners find spiritual rest through faith in Christ:
- Christ’s yoke brings rest to sojourners weary from their labor (Matthew 11:28-29).
- Sojourners enter God’s rest from dead works by grace through faith (Hebrews 4:9-10).
- The Holy Spirit comforts and advocates for believers during sojourning (John 14:16-17).
- Scripture gives sojourners direction, encouragement and hope (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Prayer connects sojourners to their heavenly Father who cares for them (1 Peter 5:7).
- The church provides earthly fellowship and aid to fellow sojourners.
Amid difficulties on earth, Christian sojourners find peace and rest through reliance on God and His eternal promises.
Longing for our True Home
As sojourners, believers in Christ await the glory of citizenship in their true heavenly home:
- In heaven, sojourners will worship God face to face (Psalm 17:15).
- Sojourners will reunite with loved ones who already dwell with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- Heaven will bring reward and rest for earthly labors (Revelation 14:13).
- The glories of heaven far outweigh any earthly treasures (Romans 8:18).
- Heaven’s joy and peace will make trials of sojourning seem light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Like the heroes of old, present-day sojourners long for the surpassing greatness of their eternal homeland. The trials of sojourning only increase anticipation of heaven’s glory.
