Modern Perspectives: "Illegal" Immigration

Recently treatment of illegal, undocumented immigrants has been all over the news. It has been a hot button political issue, and has even lead to a lawsuit against the state of Arizona for trying to keep Mexicans away from the border. I feel like everyday there is a news story about Latino kids being bullied, one story involving a group of Mexican kids having bleach thrown on them as they were walking home from school. Almost 25% of children in foster care are the product of undocumented immigrant parents. Some children are forced to sit in deportaion camps while the courts hold their fate. Recently state legislatures have been faced with the question of whether undocumented college students should be allowed to continue receiving an education.

Here's what God says:

"When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
--Leviticus 19:33-34

 "You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the Lord your God." --Leviticus 24:22

In my interpretation of that this means undocumented immigrants are entitled to due process and equal protection like American citizens, as long as they are not committing crimes. The earth is for everyone. People do not leave their native countries because they feel like it. With the instability, war, drugs, failing economy, poverty, robbery, and murder happening in Latin American countries, namely Mexico, right now, people are fleeing for their lives. They want to live, work, and be educated in America so their children are not lost to a cycle of political unrest.

I'm not advocating a total change of law or bureaucratic processes, because I understand that the system exists for a reason, but I am advocating a change in attitude. Let's try some empathy and compassion, rather than persecution and deportation.

Thoughts...

Leviticus Chapters 14-27

What I got: Sacrifice is necessary

Thoughts: For most of the Book of Leviticus God is setting down rules and standards for the Israelites. He was preparing them for the responsibilites that would come with the Promise Land. God emphasizes the importance of sacrifce to maintain cleanliness in God's eyes, and he wants the best sacrfice that we can give. God does not appreciate half-stepping, and he made many sins punishable by death and exile to show how much he detests certain behaviors. He made sure to specify that the Sabbath must be honored, sex with family members is detestable, and neighbors must be treated well.

Questions: What is Molech? And is God's definition of adultery the same as the modern defintion?

Looking Forward: The Book of Numbers is next and I'm still pushing through. Pray for me.

Leviticus Chapters 1-13

What I got: God has a plan and an order for everything.

Thoughts: God sets down standards for the ways priests are ordained, foods people can eat, the cleansing of women after child birth, and  treating infectious diseases. There was a lot of animal sacrifice happening with bulls, goats, and lamb and it all seems a bit violent and graphic. I cannot imagine having to split a bull's head open for forgiveness. I also can't imagine having to stay home up to 66 days after having a child. But I understand God has a divine plan for everything, I just do not understand his logic sometimes.

Questions: What is a wave offering? Why are people who eat foods God deamed unclean only unclean until evening? What happens during the evening?

Looking Forward: This has been the hardest book in the Bible for me to read thus far, because it contains alot of instructions, more than a story. I am looking forward to finishing Leviticus and getting back on the journey with the Israelites.