I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. – Psalm 119:19

Today's Scripture Reading (October 16, 2025): Psalm 119:1-48

Robert Heinlein released his Science Fiction classic, "Stranger in a Strange Land," in 1961. Heinlein wanted to write a story about a young man whose heritage is from Earth, but who is born and raised by Martians on Mars. It isn't until he returns to Earth in his twenties that he realizes who he is and begins to explore Terran culture. The original title of the book was "A Martian Named Smith," but Heinlein borrowed his final title from the Bible. "And she [Moses's wife, Zipporah] bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land" (Exodus 2:22, King James Version). 

The Exodus use of the phrase is actually quite appropriate for the story that Heinlein wanted to tell. Moses had lived his entire life as a "stranger in a strange land." During his childhood and early adulthood, he lived as a Hebrew man in an Egyptian culture. When Moses was born, he lived under the threat of death during a time when male babies were to be killed at the moment of their birth. But instead of death, Moses grew up inside the palace of the King. He was a stranger in a strange land. Then, Moses is exiled into the wilderness, and he becomes a stranger in a strange land yet again. It was the way that he had lived his life. Then, as an eighty-year-old shepherd, God sends Moses back to his people. Like Valentine Michael Smith, the Human-Martian in Heinlein's classic book, Moses had never spent any time in the company of his own people. But now he is sent to his own people to begin attempting to understand the culture from which he originated.  

The Psalmist, who may have been King David but is not definitively known, comments that he is a "stranger on earth." He knows that this world is not his home. But to live in this world, the Psalmist needed to keep the line of communication open with home. I agree, but I am not sure that even the Psalmist knew of the fullness of what he was writing. As Christians, we are different. Our priorities differ, and our reactions are distinct. The world should look at the Christian Church with amazement at what we do because we refuse to react as the world does. For us, people are essential: all people. We respond with love when the world turns to hate and revenge. Anyone who dedicates his life to the task of getting back at people or fulfilling their desire for revenge against their enemies is not Christian. American Reform Theologian James Boice phrased it this way:

If you are trying to follow God, the world is going to treat you as an alien, for that is what you will be. You cannot expect to be at home in it, and if you are, well, it is an indication that you really do not belong to Christ or at least are living far from him (James Montgomery Boice [1938-2000])

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:49-96