Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. ” Historically speaking, racism, xenophobia, and various other prejudices have influenced much of society—and most nations have had to battle this demon among their ranks. While the United States does not today suffer from the same level of racism it did prior to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, certainly challenges remain. Most human beings are suspicious of, or think less of, that which is "different" or "unlike" them.
In our verse for today, we read that when an "immigrant" is living in our country or community, we should treat them as though they were a "citizen"—deserving of our love, kindness, and acceptance. Of course, this passage found in the Torah (commonly attributed to Moses) is not making a political statement. It says nothing about illegal immigration, and it was uttered in an era where there were no immigration "laws" and not governmentally defined national borders.
Rather, what this passage (attributed to Moses) is saying is quite thinking you're better than someone else. Quit treating those who are different than you as though they are somehow less than you. And don't forget that God's people were once "immigrants" or "strangers" in Egypt—and were treated terribly as a result. So, if you've ever been discriminated against, or treated as "less than" someone else, learn the lesson of your experience, and treat all with love, kindness, and acceptance—and in a way that is commensurate with being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
