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MIGRATION
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Theological Reflection The Bible is full of tales of migration. Abraham left his own land and went as the Lord directed him. An old man and his wife and then a small child as well. Would we want them here being dependent on us to look after them? Jacob fled the wrath of his brother, having defrauded him. Would we want his sort here? Joseph was sold by his brothers; trafficked into slavery. His owner's wife said he tried to rape her – and you can't trust these foreigners, now can you? Moses fled from Egypt to Midian – he'd killed someone. Well we certainly don't want thugs like that here – we wouldn't be safe. Ruth travelled with her mother-in-law, both widows with no means of support. We’ve got enough poor of our own, why should we support you? Daniel was taken away by invaders but insisted on holding onto his own faith and ways of living. Why do foreigners have to be so different? If they want to live here they’ll have to conform to our ways. Mary was about to give birth in a strange place. You think we can provide accommodation because you are pregnant? I bet you did it on purpose – bringing children into the world when you can’t afford to support them. Joseph fled with Mary and Jesus when king Herod wanted to kill the baby. We can’t take you in, what would it do to international relations if you are such a threat to another leader? And yet all these were part of God’s purposes. "For we're a travelling, wandering race, we're the people of God" (Estelle White), called not to sit still but to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And if we are called to go and would want to be welcomed, perhaps we should also be prepared to offer hospitality to others who leave their own place to 'go' to us: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13.2) In 2007 the theme of the World Council of Churches Global Platform for theological reflection was migration. For a large range of Bible Studies, discussions, comments, meditations and worship materials see
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