God’s Position On Immigration - Exodus 12:48-49

   
“If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” - Exodus 12:48-49

    Even in ancient Judaism, strangers and sojourners had to meet criteria if they wanted to share in the providence of the Jewish people. On the eve of the first Passover, God gave the command that no stranger may partake of the Passover meal unless he and his male heirs were willing to be circumcised. If the stranger were willing to comply with that stipulation he would become “as a native of the land.” The Scripture goes on to say that no uncircumcised person shall eat of it (the Passover meal) and that there was to be one law for native and stranger alike. In a word, the strangers must agree to “assimilate” into the Jewish faith and customs.
    Circumcision is a pretty tall demand just to share in a people’s providential blessings. Clearly, it seems far more draconian than simply being asked to pledge allegiance to a nation or abide by its laws for citizenship. The desired nation is hardly asking for a pound of flesh, not even an ounce.
    It was clear that God demanded reverence and worship from anyone who wanted to share in the providential blessings of the Jews. But even the Jews were given commands regarding the treatment of travelers. “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” - Exodus 23:9. But God’s treatment of all people native and traveler alike is without reservation, irrespective of legal status or country of origin. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” - Romans 13:1-2. Breaking the nation’s laws is not an option. This is God’s position on entry into a host nation. God declared there would be one law for the native and for the stranger alike! What the native was forbidden to do, likewise the sojourner was forbidden to do. The key was for the traveler to recognize Jewish law (circumcision).  If the sojourner was unwilling to accept the ordinance, they were not to enjoy the benefits of God’s blessings upon His chosen people. The law was clear then as it is today!
    The issue of immigration today is a highly charged and emotional.  But the key for the traveler today is to also recognize the law of the United States. There are those who vigorously defend opposite sides of the argument. But let us not forget that while it is an emotional issue it is also one of reason. In such instances, it nearly always comes down to whose values will win the day. While there is uproar along our nation’s borders, filibustering in the halls of Congress, and fighting in the streets, God observes it all and expects compliance with His law. “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” - 1 Peter 2:13-17.
    There is a proper way to seek asylum, regardless of motivation. There is a proper way to behave once asylum has been granted. Living “servants of God” do not hop fences, use unlawful or violent tactics to get their way, or circumvent the law . . . they follow it!
    A gracious heart seldom goes unrecognized. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.
Truly, the bottom line to these considerations isn’t about the peripherals of circumcision or pledging allegiance; it is about following the law as it is prescribed because it is God Who established the institution of human authority over the land. And that is God’s position on immigration.