Article: Immigration&The Church (Part 2) - a podcast by Christopher Stephens

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    One of the most interesting of the minor prophets is Hosea.  I find his ability to love to be envy-worthy and his obedience to God legendary.  A prophet asked to marry a woman who would not be faithful is an amazing show of obedience.  But it depicts God’s love towards His people who are committing spiritual adultery.  I believe the greatest thing seen in this specific minor prophet is that of syncretism.  Syncretism is the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.  God’s people had a dilemma on their hands.  In terms that may be more understandable for millennials is that God’s people wanted to both be in relationship to God and have a “side piece” as well.  What happens in this is that the lines that use to exist between spouse and “side piece” begin to be blurred.  Now you have a people that is not committed wholeheartedly to anything.  But God desires something greater.  In Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”  Our allegiance may be divided as Americans.  Could it be that we have pledged our allegiance to the flag of this country so long that we have forgotten the pledge made to God when became the God of our salvation?  God does not say to do away with the processes of liturgy which were sacrifices at that time, but he lets them know that liturgy alone is not OK.  It was not OK for them to come to the altar to offer a sacrifice and be in communion with God if He was not their only God.  Would you desire the kiss of your spouse who had shared their lips with a stranger outside of your covenant?  Yes, the kiss may feel sincere and feel good but the heart behind it is distorted.  The care of and the steadfast love of the committed partner would be betrayed.  What seems to really matter to God is that their love is steadfast and that they know Him.  I often speak about knowing God in terms of my fanatical attitude towards Michael Jackson or Michelle Obama.  I have read books about them, investigated their backgrounds, admired their work, and even know some personal stories about them.  But I do not actually know them.  If at some point, I was to have spoken to them in their lifetime they would not have actually known me.  I have never been in close contact with them, shared stories, or poured into them.  To know God takes more than being able to state facts about who He is.  We must ask ourselves if we respect God enough to put Him above all.  It is my belief that we have, as a majority, mixed Patriotism and Christianity.  It has become our way and a bit of God sprinkled on top.  It is as if we have made a salad using the healthy option of spinach (God) and then layered on bacon soaked with Ranch dressing (Our way).  Do we see those of lesser status or diverse backgrounds or races as he does?  Do we care when there are others existing who have less than us.  Amos speaks to such questions and concerns for the powerless and disenfranchised.  Here we see God’s people as an affluent nation who only has concern for themselves and their own well-being.  I have often heard these words used by Martin Luther King Jr and never realized that it was a direct quotation.  Maybe that is due to the fact that minor profits are often treated as minor in sermon rotations.  But in Amos 5:24 the Bible says, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”  Again, it is important to note that engaging in the rituals of liturgy are vain if the heart is as well.  What is the point of sending people to do mission work in other countries to teach the poor if the poor down the street are neglected?  Multiple times in Amos we see Amos talk of God’s people mistreating or having an indifferent attitude when it comes to the poor.  When pointing out the fault of God’s people it is stated in the same chapter of Amos that “Therefore because you trample on the poor…” (Amos 5:11a) and “…you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate.” (Amos 5:12b).  It is obvious in Amos that God shows concern for those who very few are concerned about.  Some could say “The damage is done.” Or “There is no going back.”  But I am thankful that we see in all the minor prophets that I speak about today, that it is possible to return to the Lord.  When reading of the prophet Joel we get a sort of tutorial on how to do so.  And when reading Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, James Limburg uses a verse from Isa. 58:6-7 (GNB) to illustrate the how-to.  It says “The kind of fasting I want is this: remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.  Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.  Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.”  Could this be a type of fasting as mentioned in Joel that will help us in returning to the Lord?  I believe that in order for us to return to the Lord it is going to cost us.  I believe that we will have to give until it hurts.  Giving of what we do not have to give but cheerfully doing so will touch our hearts in a mighty way.  Do we have to allow immigrants asylum?  No, we do not.  Could we possibly pay more taxes if they are allowed into the country?  That very well could be the case.  But this country is great, flawed, yet great.  We must return to God by changing how we look at those outside of this country.  God does not see immigrants or non-citizens of America, and neither should we. 

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