Observation: In one of many places in the law, The Lord warns Israel not to oppress or harm the resident alien (immigrant), because once they were resident aliens (immigrants) in Egypt. We remember that at one time, Jacob and his extended family voluntarily came to Egypt due to a famine in their own land, and found a better life in Egypt. Jacob's son Joseph (also an immigrant) had greatly enriched the kingdom. When a Pharaoh arose who had forgotten all the good Joseph had done, the Egyptians oppressed and enslaved Israel. God says, "You lived through this. Don't inflict it on someone else. Don't forget."
Application: *Sigh*. I keep finding ways to dance around this, and the Holy Spirit keeps sending these texts. So here goes. God calls people of faith to have compassion and care for the most vulnerable among us, including foreigners. Period. That doesn't mean we throw safety and security out the window, it doesn't mean the rule of law has no place. But it does mean that any faith-based voice in this conversation needs to take our faith story into account.
I read a news story today about an abused woman who sought a restraining order, and was detained by I.C.E. the next day, probably reported by her abuser. Needless to say this will make immigrants in abusive relationships think twice about asking for help. People of faith should have something to say about this.
We (Lutherans) are part of an immigrant church. Many of our congregations were found by Germans and Scandinavians trying to make their way in a new land. And no, they didn't speak English right off the boat. Often it took several generations.
More importantly, all Christians are connected through our Baptism in Christ, to the family of Israel: a family who remembers what it's like to wander, to seek shelter in a new land, to seek out a better life in a new place. Whether we remember or not, Christians and Jews have been there. And we have a responsibility to those who are there now. Not sure how else to say that.
Prayer: God, help us remember and be compassionate. Amen.
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