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Leviticus 17:10
And whatsoever manthere be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

Leviticus 19:34
But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: Iam the LORD your God.

Exodus 12:49
One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

for the foreign resident and the native;
The inclusion of both the foreign resident and the native highlights God's concern for all people within the community, not just the Israelites. This is consistent with the broader biblical narrative that God's covenant and blessings are intended for all nations, as seen inGenesis 12:3, where God promises Abraham that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him. The foreign resident, or "sojourner," is often mentioned in the Law, indicating God's care for the marginalized and vulnerable, as seen inExodus 22:21, where the Israelites are commanded not to mistreat or oppress a foreigner.

for I am the LORD your God.’”
This phrase serves as the divine authority behind the command. The use of "I am the LORD your God" is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as established inExodus 20:2. It underscores that the laws given are not merely societal norms but are rooted in the character and authority of God Himself. This phrase also points to the holiness and sovereignty of God, themes that are central throughout Leviticus. The declaration "I am the LORD" is a recurring motif in Leviticus, emphasizing that the Israelites' obedience to the law is an act of worship and recognition of God's lordship.

God speaks in the imperative. This is not a suggestion, but a charge entrusted to every Israelite household.

• Personal responsibility: “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live” (Deuteronomy 4:1).

• Active obedience over lip service: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

• Immediate application: the command concerns daily life in the camp—courts, commerce, family matters—showing that faith is never abstract.

God insists on a single, unwavering rule of justice.

• Consistency guards against favoritism: “You must not show partiality in judgment… the case that is too difficult for you, bring it before Me” (Deuteronomy 1:17).

• Reflects God’s character: “All His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness without injustice” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

• Prototype for later teaching: “If you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9).

• Protects community trust: when everyone knows the standard is identical, unity flourishes.

Equality is explicitly extended to the outsider living among God’s people.

• Already stated in the Passover regulation: “The same law shall apply to the native and to the foreigner who resides among you” (Exodus 12:49).

• Echoed in worship: “Let the foreigner who joins himself to the LORD… these I will bring to My holy mountain” (Isaiah 56:6-7).

• Foreshadows the gospel: “You who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

Practical implications

– Business dealings, legal disputes, and penalties are identical.

– Compassion is mandated: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love him as yourself” (Leviticus 19:34).

– Israel becomes a living testimony that the true God welcomes all who seek Him.

The justification rests on God’s unchanging nature and covenant authority.

• Holiness motivates ethics: “Be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45;1 Peter 1:16).

• God’s constancy assures reliability: “I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

• Worship and justice are inseparable; mistreating others insults the One whose name the people bear.

Therefore, equal law is not merely social policy; it is an act of worshipful allegiance to Yahweh.

Leviticus 24:22 commands God’s people to practice one, unvarying rule of justice. Every Israelite is personally accountable, the standard itself mirrors God’s flawless righteousness, it applies equally to native-born and foreigner, and the final reason is God’s own holy, covenant-keeping character. Living by this verse proclaims to the world that the LORD is just, merciful, and steadfastly faithful.