Leviticus 19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
This passage of scripture teaches us that God is impartial in His dealings with all human beings, for all have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ, and therefore we should never harbor a sense of pride or superiority over those who are less fortunate than ourselves. The passage in Leviticus also enjoins the fair treatment of those who are considered to be immigrants or strangers, in a foreign land or country. This stipulation was given with the understanding that God is the owner of the entire earth, and as such has the rightful jurisdiction over the lives of all men.
Now it is true that the laws of any given land should be obeyed when they do not conflict with the higher moral law, and if there is a stipulated legal process whereby a stranger may become a legal citizen, those laws should be obeyed by those seeking residence or asylum in that country. However, the treatment of the stranger is another matter altogether, for it has often been the case where immigrants and strangers have been treated as children of a lesser god, in that they have often been denied basic human rights and services which the legal citizens enjoy. This inhumane practice thus draws one of the harshest responses from the God of heaven, because His blood was shed for all men. Let's read:
Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
In this great land of America, the freedoms and privileges we now enjoy are the direct result of the providential working of God, who opened up a way so that the pilgrim fathers could escape the brutal persecution and oppression that was heaped upon them by the religious authorities in Europe and Rome. And lest we forget where God has brought us from, He cautions us in our treatment of immigrants and strangers, to remember that we ourselves were once oppressed, and therefore based on our own experience of affliction and persecution, we should now be willing to show abundant mercy and kindness to those who are less fortunate and privileged than ourselves. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 24:21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
The current crisis at our borders calls for a re-examination of the instructions given in God's word, as it pertains to strangers and immigrants, for how we treat them and what we do, will have a direct impact on the well-being of the entire country on a national and individual level. Let us then be quick to help where necessary, and if any mistakes are made in the required administration of kindness towards them, let us remember that it is always better to err on the side of mercy than on the side of judgment.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages to practice the principles of charity, mercy and benevolence as incorporated in the golden rule. Let's read:
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
May the Lord add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!