Thread: Leviticus 19:34

Ditto what the last poster (PintoBean) said and actually, the verse quoted is the Second Half of a contrast being given, the contrast between a stranger who is stopping in and one who dwells with the Israelites.

It is relevant and it does have direct implication.

33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.

34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

so the contrast here is between the rules that apply to 1) the stranger passing through, versus the rules that apply to 2) the stranger who was dwelling with the israelites.

The point of the passage was INTEGRATION into the Isralite community, by the stranger.

The passage is saying Not to apply the same criteria to the one who is merely stopping in, versus the stranger who is to be considered a part of Ancient Israel.

Now here is the point that matters: in order for the Foreigner [the stranger] to be considered part of israel, the attitude of the Israelites was that they were required to "love him as thyself"...which is a high standard.

What did that "Stranger" have to do...in order to be considered PART OF ISRAEL FIRST?

The answer is that the stranger had to:

1) Become an Israelite
2) Agree to be Bound by ALL the laws of Israel
3) Agree to follow ALL of the rules of the Host Nation [Israel]
4) Agree to the SAME penalty as those who were part of Ancient Israel.

That may sound casual to those who read this today. But there are two very important points:

1) Part of the Israel Law had "Death by Stoning" for many many offenses, so joining the tribes Who will stone you to death for breaking the rules has serious consequences.

2) The other part - is that in order to join Israel, he had to be circumcumcised.

So, instead of the responsiblity being on Israel to treat that PERMANENT stranger as part of the tribe, YES - that is what they had to do,

But ONLY AFTER that stranger had agreed to abide by ALL OF THE LAWS OF ISRAEL, with death following shortly for many many infractions.

So when the Mexicans who want to join themselves to this land, start by following the laws of this land, and valuing the rules of our own heritage and founding fathers, then yes, it is appropriate to treat them as American Citizens.

That first rule means no illegal Immigration.


----

The second point about Israel is that there are many commandments (in addition to the Top 10) that instruct the Israelites NOT to covet.

Don 't covet your neighbor's possession, his family, etc

Now it seems that Illegal Immigration on many levels ....is coveting.


For Americans to be good examples to those in Mexico is a Good thing.

They are supposed to see our good example, and try to fight corruption and establish good government in their own country.


The more they follow that example, the less need they would think they have to come over here.

GH

We are required to help those seeking political or religious refuge.
It says nothing about economic immigration, much less immi-vasion.

However, the Bible is explicit on how to deal with foreign invaders, hence the destruction of the Philistines.

Eat em' alive people!!

After Hillary participated in removing "God" from Schools, Federal Courts, etc...something like calling the "Kettle" black...isn't it?

Originally Posted by DanM

[But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Rom 13;17….let every soul be in subjection to superior authorities.
Titus 3;1..be obedient to government and authorities as rulers.
Luke 2;1-5…a decree went forth from Caesar for all the inhabited earth to be registered…
Acts 24;16…I am exercising myself continually …of committing no offense to GOD and men. (they are breaking our laws and GOD’s laws.)
Rom 13;2-4…”he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of GOD…those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment..if you are doing what is bad, be in fear.
Christians who subject themselves to proper authority of political government receive benefits….Rom 13;3,4….1Pet 2;12-14.

Alien in a foreign land did not have the same rights as a naturalized citizen.

Gen 15;13....”And began to say to Abram; “You may know for sure that your seed will become an alien resident in a land not theirs, and they will have to serve them, and these will certainly afflict them for four hundred years.”

2..... “And peoples will actually take them and bring them to their own place, and the house of Israel must take them to themselves as a possession upon the soil of Jehovah as menservants and maidservants, and they must become the captors of those holding them captive, and they must have in subjection those who were driving them to work.”
Acts 7;6....God spoke to this effect, that his seed would be alien residents in a foreign land and the people would enslave them and afflict them for four hundred years.”

[But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Interesting, but in the end irrelevant since I'm not a Christian. And despite some of the their domestic inclinations, my Gods are NOT Gods of Peace and Love.