Do not oppress a foreigner

S: Exodus 23:2-9

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favouritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.

If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.

Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

O: The Law of Moses embodied the principle of fair treatment of everyone – whether rich or poor, local or foreigner. Truth and justice is to be upheld.

As humans, there tend to be people we like and people we don’t like. Even though we are no longer under the Law of Moses, its principles of truth and justice remain relevant. Jesus reinforced these values, teaching that how we treat the least among us reflects our faith (Matt 25:35-40).

Yet, I see foreign workers being exploited in Malaysia. Many arrive legally, only to have their permits neglected by employers, turning them into 'illegals' through no fault of their own. Instead of holding employers accountable, authorities punish the vulnerable. Refugees face even worse conditions, with no right to work, making them dependent on uncertain aid.

A: As Christians, we must actively fight injustice. If we employ foreigners, we must ensure fair wages and legal protections. But beyond that, we must challenge xenophobia in our communities. I commit to speaking up when I hear false accusations about foreigners. Support organizations that help refugees and advocate for fair policies. Treating foreigners with dignity is not just a suggestion—it’s a biblical command.

P: Father, change my heart first, so that I may always treat foreigners with love and fairness. Let me not be silent in the face of injustice. I pray that my fellow Malaysians—especially Christians—would reject xenophobia and embrace Your call to love the stranger. Convict our leaders of their responsibility to uphold justice, so that they may seek and apply wisdom in creating fair and compassionate policies. Stir their hearts to see the humanity of the oppressed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The story has not ended

S: Acts 28

O: Paul and the rest of the shipwreck survivors made it safely to the shore of Malta, and the kind inhabitants built a fire for them to warm them up. Paul helped put the wood into the fire, and a snake came out of the wood and bit him.

At first, they thought, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself has not allowed him to live!” But Paul just shook the snake into the fire and had no ill effects even after they waited a long time, so they changed their minds, saying that he was a god!

Then Paul found out that father of the πρῶτος Publius had fever and dysentery, and laid hands on him and prayed for him, and he was healed. Then many came for healing as well. Luke does not state explicitly whether many were saved, but it is likely that the miracles led many to faith.

Unsurprisingly, the Maltans honoured them greatly and gave them all the supplies they needed when they continued their journey to Rome 3 months later.

When he got to Rome, he met with the local Jewish leaders to explain to them his case, and also took the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. Some rejected the Gospel, but some believed. And he was able to spend the 2 years of waiting for his audience with Caesar openly sharing the Gospel. During this time, he also wrote a number of his letters – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Acts ends in 62 AD, but church records tell us that he was eventually released, and went on to Spain. Roman law required that cases be resolved within two years if no accusers appeared, so Paul may have been released by default.

Later, he probably came back from Spain into Nero’s great tribulation after the Great Fire of Rome in 64AD, where Nero deflected the blame for the Great Fire by blaming it on Christians. Many early Church fathers interpret 666 of Revelations to be a veiled reference to Nero and that the Great Tribulation of Revelations was Nero’s great persecution.

A: Paul’s life displays God’s power: His protection, healing, and provision, and the Gospel continues to spread despite opposition.

Some have observed that Acts ends abruptly – the story isn’t finished. And that’s a clue that we are the continuing story. The Acts are not just the Acts of the Apostles, but the Acts of the Church continuing on from then till now.

So, we should trust in God’s protection and purpose. God may not always work in miraculous ways as He did with Paul’s snakebite and Publius’ father, but we can trust that He is always in control, even in our struggles.

And, like Paul, we should be faithful in sharing the Gospel, using every opportunity that God sends our way – Paul even shared the Gospel while under house arrest in Rome, and he also took the time there to write the “prison epistles” to encourage believers in Ephesus, Philippi and Colossae. Yes, some will believe, and some won’t – but that’s not our job. Our job is only to give them the opportunity, and the rest is between them and God.

P: Father, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Amen.

Here's another rendition of this song with lyrics:

Through the storm

S: Acts 27

O: It’s unclear if Paul had a word from the Lord about sailing on or not, but it turns out he was right above the opinion of the ship captain.

But in any case, when all seemed lost, an angel of God assured Paul that he would stand before Caesar, and everyone on the ship would survive, though they would run aground on an island. Paul urged them to eat before throwing the wheat overboard to lighten the ship.

The standard practice in those days was to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape, but by this time, Julius the centurion in charge may have come to believe in God for he prevented the soldiers from doing so, and so everyone got to shore safely.

A: Trusting in God’s promises brings courage and wisdom in difficult times. Even when circumstances seem hopeless, God’s plans will prevail. Paul’s faith and leadership not only saved lives but also demonstrated God’s sovereignty and care.

Julius, the centurion, may have come to trust in Paul’s God as he saw Paul’s faith and God’s promises fulfilled. His decision to spare the prisoners, against Roman practice, suggests he was moved by Paul’s steadfast trust in God. This highlights how unwavering faith can influence others and lead them toward recognizing God’s power and guidance.

I need to trust God and be a positive influence to the people around me.

P: Father, thank you for your great salvation. Help me to be faithful in being salt and light to the people around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.