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A reference to defending the Bible's account of origins

How should strangers be treated?

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"How should strangers be treated?" (Alleged Contradiction #E4276)
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 22:21

And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Numbers 1:51

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them …

Deuteronomy 7:2

See also: Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:19; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10; Matthew 25:35; and Numbers 3:10, 38; 18:7

Response

Exodus 22:21 is speaking of strangers who dwell among the Israelites. Deuteronomy 7:2 is speaking of enemy nations–another matter entirely. This is common sense. For example, in America, we should not “vex…[nor] oppress” Japanese citizens (“strangers”). However, we were certainly justified in going to war against Japan after Pearl Harbor. The two verses are dealing with two different things.

Numbers 1:51 sets up ceremonial rules, and strangers were not allowed to participate in some of these. However, this is hardly “vexing” or “oppressing” them. It was an Israeli law, and peaceful strangers who obeyed these laws would be fine. Only those who deliberately disobeyed them would be put to death.


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