Bible Commands On Refugees And Immigrants

The migration of refugees and immigrants, whether legal or illegal, has become a hot topic in the news and social media. In fact Europe now has migration crisis on these people that has become a major security and political challenge for the governments. This migration has also become America’s challenge in recent days, creating huge stresses, major political divisions, and almost non-stop arguments about how best to deal with and resolve the immigration-related travel ban imposed by the President of the United States on seven Middle-Eastern countries. Why is this big immigration crisis happening now in Europe? Is the United States of America next in line to experience immigration problems? What are the true causes of these problems? And what does the Bible say about the movement of peoples and where is it leading? Are the refugees and the immigrants a threat to the economy and the security of a nation? On this study we examine what the Bible commands on refugees and immigrants.

To begin, the Bible tell us: “And you shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30). “And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31). The very first paragraph tell us to love Yahweh first above everyone and anything, and the latter paragraph tell us to love generally other peoples like we love ourselves. We are going to focus our message on loving others. How can we love our neighbors?  Needless to say, neighbors here obviously means other people. Remember that a genuine Christian motivation focuses on the love and the serving of others before self. Real Christians seek ways to help others first, maintaining a true desire to see them succeed. If others discern that your primary motivation is to love and serve others, your real opportunities for mutually satisfying relationships will increase due to the love and care for others you demonstrate. The Bible should firmly guide our morals and values and our daily interactions with other people.

Here is what the Bible say: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” (Philippians 2:3). The people are encouraged to talk freely and peacefully among themselves through which each person benefits. All of us need to continuously improve ourselves and set the right examples for others to follow. We should be grateful when we are challenged by others who polish away our rough edges, improve our minds and help us aspire to be our best. Each one of us need to strive to become a person of quality by developing and nurturing our spiritual intelligence the best we can. This can be achieved by obtaining our understanding and wisdom from the Bible where it says: “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). People will naturally come to respect you very easily if they see you are a person who possess a true upright character, not a hypocrite. Our Master Yahshua Messiah set the ultimate example of this when He demonstrated a positive, giving and serving attitude to His disciples: “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

We are all strangers on this vast land according to Almighty Yahweh and this earth is only His footstool. Each of us do not own anything on earth because we are only caretakers of this planet. Having said that, we should have great sympathy toward those who are simply seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Yahweh commanded the Israelites that foreign aliens not be mistreated or deprived of justice, that charity and hospitality be shown them. However, that does not mean we should endorse and embrace all immigration if it contradicts clean morality and acceptable behaviors. And where we are not able to follow laws that contradict Yahweh’s laws (Acts 5:29), that never means inflicting harm on those of the nation around us, as some immigrants and refugees, would seek to do. Our duty as strangers is to follow the laws of the land that don’t contradict Yahweh’s laws (Romans 13). The Bible does not promote a borderless world, completely unrestricted immigration and multi-culturalism with no assimilations. The Scriptures have clearly shown this truth when Almighty Yahweh caused the people during biblical times to spread out and resettle in national groupings when He confused the languages of people at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), when He set the boundaries of the people (Deuteronomy 32:8), and when He explicitly defined national and tribal borders. All the people are never to be racists, as Yahweh Himself is not (Acts 10:34-35). But we must also recognize that nations whose peoples and cultures are more aligned with biblical teachings are far superior to others in many respects. Patriotism of your own country is not discouraged, but do not be a chauvinist or extremely nationalistic to cause you to be selfish and proud. The Bible also say no to putting other peoples down for your sake of evil motives.

Understand that the Most High Yahweh chose Israel and the Israelites to be His model nation and people of the coming Kingdom. Though Yahweh allowed people of other ethnic heritage to dwell among the Israelites, He commanded these aliens to assimilate themselves with His Law that was given to the Israelites. As it is written, Yahweh told the Israelites: “One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger (immigrants, refugees) who dwells with you” (Numbers 15:16; Exodus 12:49; Leviticus 24:22). These foreigners were expected to adapt to Israel’s culture, not the other way around! But Israelites were also commanded by Yahweh to love resident aliens and to remember when they themselves were also foreigners in the land of Egypt (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:9-10, 33-34; 23:22; 24:16,22). The Bible also tell us these aliens or foreigners are to obey all of Yahweh’s laws, including keeping the Holy Sabbath (Exodus 20:10), keeping the Feasts of Pentecost and Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:11,14), fasting on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29) and offering sacrifices for sins (Numbers 15:27-29). These are faithful words from Almighty Yahweh. May He help you understand these everlasting truths!

In conclusion, all the immigration problems going on in Europe and soon the United States speaks to the approaching end of this age: a time of wars and commotions (Luke 21:9), a time of growing distress of nations (Luke 21:25). This growing immigration problems is but one of the many more upcoming  geopolitical trends shaping our world and leading to a time of unparalleled global conflict before Yahshua Messiah’s return to earth. His return would bring lasting peace, prosperity, contentment and genuine happiness to those true Christians who would endure until His return. The Bible states: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty El, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7). Yahshua the Messiah is the one and only hope of all mankind. His imminent return means a true world without wars, violence, hatred and enmity. It will be a world of right government, where peace will prevail and people will not feel compelled to flee their countries and seek refuge elsewhere. This conclude the Bible commands on refugees and immigrants. May every one of you reading and sharing to others these true and faithful messages be blessed by Almighty Yahweh and Yahshua the Messiah. Love and peace to you all. Shalom, Halleluyah!