The Bible says God cares deeply about refugees and others forced from their homes. Israel’s story began with a family fleeing famine, and Jesus himself fled to Egypt as a child to escape a violent king. Scripture calls God’s people to protect the vulnerable, speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, and welcome the stranger, while also using wisdom about how best to help.
Jesus Was a Refugee
Shortly after Jesus was born, King Herod tried to kill him. God warned Joseph to take his family and run.
Matthew 2:13-15 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
The Son of God spent part of his childhood as a refugee in a foreign land. When we think about people fleeing danger today, it’s worth remembering that Jesus knows that experience firsthand.
God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed
Israel’s family first went to Egypt to escape famine, and generations later they became slaves there. “Their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning … and was concerned about them” (Exodus 2:23-25). God rescued them, and then he told them never to forget it.
Deuteronomy 24:17-18 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
God groups foreigners with orphans and widows, the people most likely to be overlooked. “The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow” (Psalm 146:9). Through Isaiah, God even urged a neighboring nation to shelter people fleeing violence: “Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees” (Isaiah 16:3).
Compassion and Wisdom
Caring for refugees raises real questions for governments: security, resources, and how to help the most people. The Bible gives authorities a responsibility to protect their citizens (Romans 13:4), and Christians may disagree about specific policies. Jesus told his followers to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Wisdom and compassion aren’t enemies.
But whatever we believe about policy, our personal calling is clear. Jesus said that when we care for the stranger in need, we are caring for him.
Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
How Christians Can Help
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8). Here are a few ways to respond:
- Pray for refugees, for the countries they’ve fled, and for leaders making hard decisions.
- Welcome refugee families in your community with meals, rides, friendship, or help learning English.
- Partner with trustworthy churches and ministries that serve refugees here and overseas.
- Remember that refugees are people made in God’s image, not just a political issue.
The Takeaway
God cares for refugees. Jesus himself was one, and Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to protect the vulnerable foreigner. Christians can think wisely about policy while showing real compassion and practical help to people who have fled their homes.
