Just quickly wanted to share a thought I had while reading Deuteronomy this morning. I think it's timely since the 2020 election has just been called. We have lived 4 years of ugliness directed toward immigrants - or rather, toward certain immigrants. Reading chapter 10 in Deuteronomy just shook my heart up.
He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (Deut 10:18-19)
The Hebrews had been treated badly in another land. Now they were being told to be kind to anyone sojourning in their land. Sound a bit familiar?
By the way, this command to be kind to sojourners comes after reminders about how the Hebrews had been blessed. They were reminded not to forget that it was God who blessed them with any wealth and comfort.
We Americans are so fat and happy (most of us) that we forget where we would be but for the grace of God. I'm talking to my Christian siblings here. While you all are so busy crowding the churches and trying to earn a place behind the pulpit, you seemed to have forgotten that, unless you are First Nation people, you are immigrants.
And let me answer your next argument: you know, how the Bible teaches that God often let the Hebrews go in and possess the land of others. Okay, but He still commanded what He did in verses 18 and 19.
Nothing bothers me more about the ugliness of the hatred we show toward certain immigrants more than the phony self-righteousness behind it.
So, there. I just had to get that rant out of my system. The election is over and I am being told to stay in my house by family - just in case some of the upset Trump supporters cause problems. I pray they aren't waving any Christian flags if they do.
Peace
--Free
