I have become concerned about the growing anti-immigrant attitude that I hear on talk radio programs, read in letters to the editor in newspapers, and see among some people. These Scriptures are rarely heard, but the Bible is full of similar statements that we should hear:
"For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt" (Deuteronomy 10:17-19, NIV).
"At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands" (Deuteronomy 14:28-29, NIV). These verses refer to a little-known tax upon the Israelites that was collected every 3 years to care for the Levites and the poor (including aliens or immigrants). It was an early Israelite welfare program.
"Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge" (Deuteronomy 24:17, NIV).
"When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this" (Deuteronomy 24:19-22, NIV). This provision in the Law of Moses provided an opportunity for the poor and powerless (including immigrants) to get enough to survive if they would work for it. The law also discouraged greed and hoarding by the wealthy members of society. The famous immigrant Ruth used this provision to survive when she arrived in Israel (Ruth 2:1-12).
"'Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.'
Then all the people shall say, 'Amen!'" (Deuteronomy 27:19, NIV).
"The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked" (Psalm 146:9, NIV).
"If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever" (Jeremiah 7:5-7, NIV).
"This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place" (Jeremiah 22:3, NIV).
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other'" (Zechariah 7:9-10, NIV).
"'So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,' says the LORD Almighty" (Malachi 3:5, NIV).
Showing posts with label Ruth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruth. Show all posts
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Ruth: A Shining Star
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" (Philippians 2:14-15, NIV).
Throughout the book of Ruth, Ruth faces problems and obstacles. She lost her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law to death. Her mother-in-law discouraged her from staying with her and from following God. She immigrated to the land of Israel without resources and without much knowledge of the country's customs and laws. She had plenty of reasons to whine and pout, but she never gave in to the temptation.
She refused to leave the true God. She would not return to Chemosh, the false god who demanded child sacrifices in order to be pleased. She would not abandon her widowed mother-in-law, but was determined to do everything she could to care for her. She never resorted to anything immoral in order to survive in her new land. While she could have engaged in stealing or prostitution, instead she found a low-paying but honorable way to support herself and her mother-in-law by picking up leftover grain in the fields.
We do not know how attractive Ruth was physically, but we can see why Boaz was attracted to her in other ways. Her attitude, her faith, her sense of responsibility, her work ethic, and her sense of honor made her stand out as a shining star in a dark universe.
Some scholars believe that Proverbs 31:10-31 was written to honor Ruth. It is certainly an appropriate passage to describe this outstanding woman of the Bible.
Throughout the book of Ruth, Ruth faces problems and obstacles. She lost her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law to death. Her mother-in-law discouraged her from staying with her and from following God. She immigrated to the land of Israel without resources and without much knowledge of the country's customs and laws. She had plenty of reasons to whine and pout, but she never gave in to the temptation.
She refused to leave the true God. She would not return to Chemosh, the false god who demanded child sacrifices in order to be pleased. She would not abandon her widowed mother-in-law, but was determined to do everything she could to care for her. She never resorted to anything immoral in order to survive in her new land. While she could have engaged in stealing or prostitution, instead she found a low-paying but honorable way to support herself and her mother-in-law by picking up leftover grain in the fields.
We do not know how attractive Ruth was physically, but we can see why Boaz was attracted to her in other ways. Her attitude, her faith, her sense of responsibility, her work ethic, and her sense of honor made her stand out as a shining star in a dark universe.
Some scholars believe that Proverbs 31:10-31 was written to honor Ruth. It is certainly an appropriate passage to describe this outstanding woman of the Bible.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Boaz: In Him is Strength
"He erected the pillars in the front of the temple, one to the south and one to the north. The one to the south he named Jakin and the one to the north Boaz" (2 Chronicles 3:17, NIV).
In the footnote at 2 Chronicles 3:17, the New International Version reads, "'Boaz' probably means 'in him is strength.'"
When King Solomon erected and named the pillars of the newly constructed temple of God, could he have been thinking about his ancestor Boaz, the husband of Ruth? How could he have named a pillar Boaz without thinking of him?
During the days of Boaz, the Israelites occupied the promised land, but God did not occupy their hearts. With a few exceptions, even the judges who led them did not exemplify godly behavior or wisdom. They fell into idolatry time after time. They did what was right in their own eyes, but failed to live right before the Lord.
However, Boaz was an exception. He was a man of faith and character. He lived up to his name. In him was strength.
When Boaz spoke, the Lord was on his mind (Ruth 2:4, 12). He was a generous man who was willing to share (2:14). He protected Ruth's dignity (2:15-16). He protected her virtue and reputation (3:8-14). Boaz dealt with people honestly and wisely (4:1-10). In marrying an immigrant who had become a believer in God, he did not fall victim to ethnic prejudice (4:13).
Boaz was a pillar in his community. When much of his society had grown corrupt, he stood out as a man of strong character, a man of reliable integrity.
In later years, the name of Boaz became associated with a pillar in God's temple.
Today, Christ calls upon his people to imitate Boaz's faith and character, to be strong in our commitment to our God. As Jesus promised, "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God" (Revelation 3:12, NIV).
In the footnote at 2 Chronicles 3:17, the New International Version reads, "'Boaz' probably means 'in him is strength.'"
When King Solomon erected and named the pillars of the newly constructed temple of God, could he have been thinking about his ancestor Boaz, the husband of Ruth? How could he have named a pillar Boaz without thinking of him?
During the days of Boaz, the Israelites occupied the promised land, but God did not occupy their hearts. With a few exceptions, even the judges who led them did not exemplify godly behavior or wisdom. They fell into idolatry time after time. They did what was right in their own eyes, but failed to live right before the Lord.
However, Boaz was an exception. He was a man of faith and character. He lived up to his name. In him was strength.
When Boaz spoke, the Lord was on his mind (Ruth 2:4, 12). He was a generous man who was willing to share (2:14). He protected Ruth's dignity (2:15-16). He protected her virtue and reputation (3:8-14). Boaz dealt with people honestly and wisely (4:1-10). In marrying an immigrant who had become a believer in God, he did not fall victim to ethnic prejudice (4:13).
Boaz was a pillar in his community. When much of his society had grown corrupt, he stood out as a man of strong character, a man of reliable integrity.
In later years, the name of Boaz became associated with a pillar in God's temple.
Today, Christ calls upon his people to imitate Boaz's faith and character, to be strong in our commitment to our God. As Jesus promised, "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God" (Revelation 3:12, NIV).
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