S: Deuteronomy 24:14-22 14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the foreigners who are in your land within your gates. 15 In his day you shall give him his wages, neither shall the sun go down on it, for he is poor and sets his heart on it, lest he cry against you to Yahweh, and it be sin to you.
16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
17 You shall not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, nor take a widow’s clothing in pledge; 18 but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and Yahweh your God redeemed you there. Therefore I command you to do this thing.
19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to get it. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow, that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
21 When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I command you to do this thing.
O: Many Christians oppose welfare or socialised medicine on the basis that helping the poor should be a private charitable matter, not a government responsibility. But this passage shows how false that is. God’s theocratic government of Israel mandated it: “I command you to do this thing.”
Yes, as New Testament believers, we are no longer under the Mosaic Law, but its principles still apply — for Christ did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it.
Likewise, many Christians say helping the foreigner is only a private duty, while the government should expel all “illegal aliens.” Yet “legal” and “illegal” are human categories — often shaped by how governments write or corrupt the rules. This is especially true here in Malaysia, where many people become “illegal” through no fault of their own but because they’re played out by their employers or unscrupulous agents. Most of them simply want to work, earn an honest living, and support their families. When the “legal way” is made too difficult, we create illegality ourselves.
The idea that foreigners “take away” from citizens is nonsense. Bank Negara Malaysia and World Bank reports show that foreign labour has a net positive impact on our GDP. They contribute by filling vital roles and spending locally. Legalising them and allowing them to pay taxes would strengthen, not weaken, the nation — and protect them from extortion and exploitation.
A: I need to be fair and kind to everyone — Malaysian or foreigner — remembering that each person is made in God’s image.
As Christians, we should support laws that protect both citizens and migrant workers, and stop criminalising the poor and the foreigner. When we ignore justice for them, we go directly against God’s principles, as revealed in these Old Testament laws. These commands reveal God’s heart — a heart that calls us to mercy, fairness, and compassion.
P: Father, thank You for reminding me that You care deeply for the poor, the widow, and the foreigner.
Open my eyes to see where I can act with compassion and justice.
Help Malaysia to reflect Your heart by protecting the vulnerable and treating every worker with dignity.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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