How does God View Migrants in the Bible?
Who are migrants? I would like to share the definition of the International Organization for Migration, according to which migrants “are people who move from their usual place of residence to a new place of residence, either across an international border or within a country.” According to the 2024 report, “there are 281 million international migrants in the world (equivalent to 3.6% of the world’s population).”
The reasons are varied, but the main ones are work, family, and education. And there is a group of people who are forced to leave their countries due to conflict, persecution, disasters, or other reasons beyond their control. For example, last year there were 40.7 million refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. The Bible mentions caring for strangers and foreigners in their territories approximately 400 times, as the people of Israel were also strangers and foreigners in other places. Let’s look at some of the most significant examples: • The ancestors of Israel migrated to the land of Canaan (a large area that today also corresponds to Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan). Genesis, chapters 24 to 36. • Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to escape a famine, and because Joseph, his missing son, was there, his entire family emigrated. Genesis, chapters 41 to 47. • Moses was a stranger in the land of Midian (today northern Saudi Arabia) when he led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Exodus 2:11-22. • Elimelech, Naomi, and Ruth emigrated to Moab (today Jordan) to escape the famine in Bethlehem of Judah. Ruth 1:1-10. • Mary, Joseph, and Jesus traveled to Egypt to flee the threat of death issued by Herod. Matthew 2:13-23. The people of Israel and Jesus himself, along with his family, experienced what it is like to be migrants and lived firsthand the vulnerability of feeling their lives threatened; therefore, they moved to seek a better life. That is why Deuteronomy 10:16-19 tells us: “Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So, you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.” Regardless of the legal status of migrants, every person has the inherent right to be treated with dignity and respect. And while every government has the right to create its own laws to regulate migration, there can never be any justification for violating the dignity of migrants with degrading and humiliating treatment. Therefore, as Christians, it is our moral and ethical duty to defend these values. Rev. Israel Portilla-Gómez (He/him/his) is Associate Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. 2222 E Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507. [email protected]. (907) 563-3341. Ext. 13. |