A Stranger in the Land
Alienation involves estrangement where there should be bonds of love and community; it isolates and makes one a stranger. Stranger is first used in Genesis 15:13. The Lord said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years” (NKJV).
Abraham called himself a stranger, and a sojourner (Genesis 23:4). God called Abraham to leave his home, his people, and go to a strange land to worship Him – a God unknown by his people. He obeyed, and became a wandering stranger. Estranged from his people, and estranged from the people amongst whom he lived, because he chose to be different, he experienced alienation. Separated from people, he chose to become separated unto God.
Moses, identified himself as a stranger, and named his son “foreigner” or “exile”. (Exodus 2:22). Moses was Israeli; his family lived as slaves in Egypt. Adopted as a baby, he grew up with the mind, the customs, and mannerisms of an Egyptian, and the heart of an Israeli; yet did not belong to either people. If he had turned his back on Jehovah and his people, and embraced idolatry to become Egyptian in every facet of his personality, he might have been received by most Egyptians. Some would still look at him with distrust, and mutter, “he is not one of us”. As Moses grew up, he understood about alienation, and being a stranger.
Then, he made a choice that altered his life, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11:25, KJV). Moses chose to suffer further alienation. Although, he led Israel out of captivity, out of slavery and incredible suffering, they were never grateful. Although, the greatest leader of the world, many of his people hated him, and sought to undermine his authority.
Many Bible verses speak of the alien and stranger. Beginning in Exodus 12:49, God declared the alien and stranger were to be treated with respect, and be protected by the same laws as those born in the land. He reminded Israel, because you have been a stranger, because you understand the suffering of alienation – you are not to mistreat or oppress the stranger (Exodus 22:21; 23:9). He commanded, “you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers…”! (Leviticus 18:33-34); a strong statement of how the alienated were to be treated. The Father’s heart for the one who is estranged and hurting, is compassion, kindness, and deep concern. He desires to cover them, and place a hedge of protection about them, where there is no hedge. There are many more verses which speak of the Father’s love for the one who is alienated, or is a stranger.
Abraham was greatly blessed by God; his wealth immense, he had corresponding influence and power. He even had men of war underneath him to protect his holdings and the ones he loved. Onlookers were jealous.
Moses was highly favored of God. Instead of dying in infancy, or growing up in slavery, God ordained for him to be raised in Pharaoh’s daughter’s home, where he received an education that prepared him for the throne of Egypt. Moses had all he needed or wanted. Highly favored and highly blessed. But his people were jealous of him. Centuries later, Stephen sums up Israel’s attitude toward him, “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer…”
The Lord Jesus called Himself a stranger; He grew up in poverty, his nation occupied by Rome. The mark of His life was purity in heart, and He treated all people with respect. He demonstrated authority over the demonic realm as He restored sight to the blind, cast out demons, caused the lame to walk, raised the dead, and set captive hearts free.
The Pharisees, jealous of His influence among the people, were envious of His grasp of Scriptures, for He spoke and taught with authority. Enraged at His censure of their prideful behavior, and loveless rules which brought isolation and bondage to ordinary folk, they hated Jesus who loved and identified with those alienated, frightened, and isolated by religion, and societal mores. Rejecting His heart of compassion as He drew the alienated close – they plotted His murder. The Lord Jesus experienced great alienation. Rejected, mocked, slandered first by his village, then by his family, later hurt by those closest to Him – His own disciples, and then killed by His people. He came unto His own, but they rejected Him (John 1:11).
If we look at these three men, each walked in intimacy with God. God called Abraham His friend. He called Moses the meekest man on earth. And He called Jesus His Beloved Son. Mighty men of God, deeply loved by the Heavenly Father; their lives have blessed not just their generation or people, but all generations and peoples of the earth. This is important. If you walk with God, you will experience alienation. The world will sense the Holy Spirit in you, and reject you. Christians who do not walk as Christ walked, will sense you have something they do not, and resent you. Those who reject Christ’s total authority over their life will be jealous, guarded, unkind, angry, and may persecute you.
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus faced adversity, but found strength through intimacy with God. Each was used to bless others. Though you face alienation from this world, the Lord wants to draw you close to Himself in sweet fellowship, heal your broken heart, and use you to bless others.
