Immigrants

I’ve been reading Genesis recently, the birth story of the chosen people, as I prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Because the issue has been on my mind, I am amazed by the amount of migration and immigration that occurs in Genesis, and, of course, in Exodus.

Abram went into a new country, changed his name, had trouble settling there, and lived for a while in other countries. Jacob, his life threatened, immigrated to another country, where he lived, worked, and married. All but one of his children were born abroad, before they moved back to their homeland, again at great personal risk. Joseph reached adulthood and achieved success as a foreigner, forced by violence to immigrate to a land he didn’t choose. Later, due to economic hardships, his entire family would join him as immigrants in a foreign land.

Four hundred years later, they would immigrate back to Abrahams’ adopted home of Canaan, unwelcomed by the people residing there.

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34.

I wonder how their immigration stories compare to the ones we see today, as families flee worn-torn areas of the world, and survivors of natural disasters seek refuge in neighboring countries. Many immigrants to America are facing economic hardships and violent environments.

Joseph’s family immigrated to Egypt due to economic hardships in their home country; did the Egyptians welcome them? Royal decree let them in and gave them land, but even after 400 years, his descendants were not considered Egyptians. Was this because they held onto their heritage, or refused to assimilate? Or did the Egyptians keep them at arm’s length, they being foreigners and shepherds and all?

Only to say that immigration is not something new. Leaving one’s home is never easy, but often political instability, violent circumstances, persecution, and economic deprivation make immigration the only solution. And as difficult as it is for the country receiving the immigrants, it is far harder, I think, for the immigrants themselves.

Many of us have never felt our lives and the lives of our family were in immediate danger. I know I have not, and I hope I never do. But if I did, and I could leave the situation to protect my family, I hope I would. I hope I would be strong enough to face the dangers of travel and the possibility that I would not be welcome where I went.

Mary and Joseph did; they immigrated to Egypt when Jesus was a baby to avoid infanticide ordered by the ruler of their country. Only when there was a regime change were they able to return.

And perhaps Jesus was the ultimate immigrant. He left his homeland, heaven, to live with us on earth. He faced real dangers, much misunderstanding, callous assumptions about his personhood, and a fear that his presence would radically change the status quo. Basically, the same things many immigrants face today.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7.

Because the history of our faith is one of immigration. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the diaspora, and Jesus.

They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Hebrews 11:13,16.

We too are foreigners here, resident aliens.

I don’t know what the “ideal” immigration policy is; I don’t know that there is much I could do about it if I did have a solution. I do know that God calls me to love my neighbors and the aliens residing in the land. So, that is what I will do. I will smile and welcome the foreigner I see, aid the immigrant in need, and be kind.

Betsy