Refugee Haven

 

You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.        Leviticus 19:34

It was an interesting Facebook day.

 

I first saw this photo of Syrian refugees and the man posting it was making the point that we are being unwise to allow these men to enter our country and live among us. They do not look like they are weary travelers running for their lives or who have been thrown out of their nation without food or shelter. They look healthy – like soldiers.

The very next post in my feed was with this picture. This acquaintance  was suggesting that we would be cruel and heartless not to allow these women and children to enter our land and find refuge.

 

(Sorry, I do have photo credits for either picture)

 

 

These raised many thoughts for me.

Exodus 12:49 says, “There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”  Then, after giving the law in Leviticus 18 we are told, (in verse 26), “But you shall keep my statutes and my rules and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.”  These two verses from the Law say that both the Israelite and the sojourner were to abide by was God’s Law. It is obeying God’s law that brings blessing for anyone willing to obey it.

Though our nation has certainly wandered from God’s Law, it is still the standard by which we can measure right and wrong. There is no other. Nowhere in the scriptures does God lock any law-abiding sojourners out of any land.  But, he does have a standard of behavior and law for them to live by.

I have no problem accepting true refugees into our land. In fact, I feel that way about people who want to immigrate here to improve their standard of living if their own country does not have opportunities. However, the scripture seems clear that we are to maintain laws that keep God’s statutes and principles as the foundation.

One time I remember saying to a man that I did not expect Christian behavior from non-Christians. He responded, “Why not?  God does.” There is a great truth in that statement.

When each man and woman sits at the Judgment seat, God will judge that person based on His Law, not ours. If we compromise our laws, reducing the standard God has set,  (as we already have) we fail to point others to God’s expectations. They will not see their need for a Savior if they fail to see they cannot keep His law.

The refugees running from wicked leaders need a safe haven.  For a haven to be safe, it has to maintain God’s Law. If the refugees who come are here to wreak havoc, then the Law should convict them and the nation exact justice upon them.

If they are in true need, many being widows and orphans, then we must show compassion and care for them and they must be expected to obey the laws of our land.