"The People Whose God Is Jehovah" - FOREIGN RESIDENTS WELCOME

Although Jehovah now had a chosen nation on earth, he did not forbid the presence of non-Israelites among his people.  He allowed "a vast mixed company" of non-Israelites, including Egyptians, to accompany his people when he delivered them from Egypt.  (Exodus 12:38)  At the time of the seventh plague, some "among Pharaoh's servants" feared Jehovah's word and doubtless became a part of the mixed company that left Egypt with the Israelites. - Exodus 9:20.

Just before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to take possession of Canaan, Moses told them that they "must love the foreign resident" in their midst.  (Deuteronomy 10:17-19) God's chosen people were to accept in their community any foreigners who were willing to observe the basic laws given by Moses.  (Leviticus 24:22)  Some foreign residents became worshippers of Jehovah, sharing the feelings of the Moabite Ruth, who declared to the Israelite Naomi: "Your people will be my people and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16)  These foreign residents became proselytes, and the males submitted to circumcision.  (Exodus 12:48, 49) Jehovah welcomed them as members of the community of his chosen people. - NUMBERS 15:14, 15.  

When Solomon's temple was dedicated to Jehovah, provision was made for non-Israelite worshippers, as reflected in Solomon's prayer: "Concerning the foreigner who is not part of your people Israel and who comes from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, and he comes and prays toward this house, may you then listen from the heavens, your dwelling place, and do all the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as your people Israel do, and may know that your name has been called on this house that I have built." (2 Chronicles 6:32, 33) As was still true in  Jesus' day, any non-Israelite who wished to worship Jehovah would want to associate with His covenant people. - JOHN 12:20; ACTS 8:27.

Next time: "The People Whose God Is Jehovah" - A NATION OF WITNESSES

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