Webster’s Dictionary defines migration as: “The act of removing from one Kingdom or State to another for the purpose of permanent residence or residence of some continuance.”
God knows all things, the past, the present and the future. Genesis 1: 28 says, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it”. In order for this command to be fulfilled, migration from time to time was necessary.
Therefore, migration is a fundamental aspect of the gospel commission. He who migrates is a stranger in a new place or country and as such, is an immigrant. I am often amazed how Christian people can demonized the stranger/immigrant among us when the scriptures admonish us many times that; “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 22:21 [KJV]
Immigration and the Bible
We could begin in heaven with Christ; how he took on himself our sins knowing it would make him an immigrant. See Revelation 12:8. Or Lucifer, who abandoned heaven to roam up and down the whole world. Then there was Adam in Eden and Cain after he murdered his brother, Abel.
However, we start our study with the tower builders. (Genesis chapter 11). “For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time, they decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates. They were attracted by the beauty of the situation and the fertility of the soil, and upon this plain they determined to make their home”. {Patriarchs and Prophets (PP) 118.4}
Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height, as should render it the wonder of the world.
These tower builders migrated and began to build a city. Usually the first two generations considered themselves immigrants, but their children joining the culture of the day soon forgot their parent’s history. Having lost their uniqueness, these grand- and great-grandchildren now see ‘others’ as strangers. This led to bigotry, prejudice and oppression against strangers. This history is repeated always, because parents rarely keep before their children their own history and the greater need for respect and tolerance. It is from one of such cities that God called Abraham.
No one who professes the name of Christ, or claims the name of Christianity should have any problem understanding the blessings of migration. Abraham is the father of the faithful, and through him and his status as an immigrant the whole world is blessed. See God’s promise to Abraham. Genesis 12.
We read, “And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance”. Genesis 15:12-14 [KJV]
Interestingly, according to the Apostle Paul, Abraham remained an immigrant the rest of his life.
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God”. Hebrews 11:8-10 [KJV]
God revealed to Abraham what would transpire even before he had a child, and how his descendants would be treated. The history of how all this came about is a fascinating journey starting with Isaac and Rebekah, their son Jacob, and his time as an immigrant in Padanaram, with Laban. Scripture shows God’s blessings upon the house of Laban because of Jacob and his children.
“And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report”. Genesis 37:1-2 [KJV]
The outworking of Joseph’s life experiences provided us with the compacted gospel. Sold into slavery, God raised up Joseph, the immigrant, to demonstrate His (God’s) wisdom, mercy and forgiveness.
“And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house”. Acts 7:9-10 [KJV]
Joseph could later say, “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt”. Genesis 45:7-8 [KJV]
“And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we [be] thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for [am] I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them”. Genesis 50:15-21 [KJV]
The migration of Joseph though forced, illustrated the many, who were forced into slavery. Like Joseph many accepted their lot and the major nations such as Britain, The United States, and France benefited greatly from their services and the services of their children and grandchildren.
As cruel as the bondage was, the gospel was spread through it and it can be truly said, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose”. Romans 8:28 [KJV]
The scriptures are clear that history repeats itself. See Ecclesiastes1:9, and 3:15. The whole world is populated by migrants, having settled as immigrants and started families. As they built, generation after generation no longer retained their identity until they began to look on “others” as strangers and foreigners who should not share in anything they consider theirs. Remember, “For the earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof”. 1 Corinthians 10:26 [KJV]
The phenomena to forget is staggering and in some cases willful. Many often join the chorus that is fomenting hostility and hatred against their neighbor. This is not new. Here again Joseph’s experience speaks.
“And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we:” Exodus 1:6-9 [KJV]
In commenting on that passage , EG White wrote, “But as time rolled on, the great man to whom Egypt owed so much, and the generation blessed by his labors, passed to the grave. And “there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.” Not that he was ignorant of Joseph’s services to the nation, but he wished to make no recognition of them, and, so far as possible, to bury them in oblivion. “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.” {PP 241.3}
Sad to say this history was repeated in Babylon, the Persian Empire (see Esther 3:8), Rome, and many of the modern nations, especially Germany. Even in this great United States, the anti-immigrant eco- chamber is becoming louder and louder.
Like Egypt, someone will come along who will willfully forget the tremendous contribution immigrants have made and the awesome blessings received as a result of their labor and talent. That person along with their advisor will formulate plans to oppress and belittle immigrants. All true missionaries are immigrants. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars”. 2 Chronicles 16:9 [KJV]
Therefore, God is watching, and a nation’s cup of iniquity often is filled by their treatment of the stranger/immigrant. Through all these things, God’s purpose will be accomplished in the earth.
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