BORDERS--ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

Dear friends and readers

WHAT A CONTROVERSY!!! And yet it should be so easy.

Have you ever seen this much argument over something so simple as a wall on a nations border?

As I write this I am not coming from a political viewpoint nor do I represent any of the modern day political machines currently running Washington D.C. I am writing this article strictly from two perspectives 1). Can we find a Biblical argument for walls and boarders? 2). Can we have a bit of common sense here--PLEASE!?

So lets start out with some basics; When driving through any state---lets say California, there eventually comes a time in which you see a sign that says "ENTERING NEVADA". One single foot past that sign or imaginary mark on the ground means that you are now in an entirely different jurisdiction. Even the traffic laws change and unless it is a real emergency Law Enforcement from one state entering another state is without power to enforce the law. Real estate laws are different. An attorney moving from California to Nevada has to be recertified by the Nevada authorities before he can practice law. The laws are so vastly different between these two jurisdictions that they even vary in alcohol licensing, gambling and prostitution.

They are sovereign territories who have the right to determine what will and will not happen within their borders. If Nevada wanted to build a fence or wall to keep out those rascally California born jack rabbits, no one would care or even notice (until they received their tax bill of course).

On a much higher plane, did you know that the New City of Jerusalem (Revelation chapter 21) is surrounded by walls with gates? Lets see now, who was it who authored Revelation chapter 21? Oh yes, now I recall it was the Lord Himself---God! All over the Middle East today you will find countries with varying degrees of walls with gates. You cannot pass from Israel to Jordan without passing through a veritable mountain of barbed wire, razor wire and armed guards. The same can be said for many countries of the world today. With the exception of parts of the European Union, you cannot pass from one nation to another without the proper paperwork.

A wall or security barrier is the only thing today keeping a semblance of order between Israel and the Gaza strip. Walls work. And in the case of the southern border of the United States and Mexico, there is ample justification on both siders to want a wall or security barrier of some kind. Drugs going north and guns going south. Now I am not an anti gun guy and believe strongly in the Second Amendment but that is NORTH of the border. When I am SOUTH of the border I know full well that guns are illegal in Mexico and if caught with one I would be in prison. NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Different countries, different laws. Two different sovereign territories both of whom have the absolute right to put in place laws that apply their own cultures.

But what about God? What does He think? I guarantee that God is not confused by this issue. In Acts chapter 17:26 the Apostle Paul tells us that God established nations and boarders.  Daniel chapter 2 tells us that God raises up leaders and nations and it is also He who also puts them down. Without borders a kingdom is not a kingdom, it is merely a war waiting to happen with its neighbors. There would be no order, no justice and no law. God also says that He will bless a nation whose God is the Lord and that could not happen if that nation was not clearly distinguished from all others. And God also says that one day He will judge all the nations. Clearly it is His desire for clear cut nations to exist.

The definition of any country includes a common language (although others may well exist within). A common system off exchange, a common currency and a common system of defense. And these things should be of real concern to citizens of any country and the terms of these issues should be something that are not kicked around like political footballs.  Leviticus 19:34 sees God commanding Israel to welcome the strangers or sojourners "as one" who is native born. Sounds great for the open borders clan don't you think? But let's peel away some layers shall we? The Hebrew word for "STRANGER" is "ger" and basically means an immigrant WHO WANTS TO ASSIMILATE"! Have you noticed how many demonstrations lately have witnessed immigrants waiving the flags of their old country while on American soil? That is not assimilation folks. That is entering the good ole U.S. of A. and trying to turn it into the country they just left or escaped from.

King Solomon said in 2nd Chronicles 6:32 "If a sojourner comes to our land BECAUSE OF OUR GOD then welcome him".

But we do have to be very careful here what Biblical scriptures we use in relationship to a southern border wall in the United States because we are not Israel. So while we can see a general picture of how God worked with the ancients we have an obligation to offset that with the verse that says God never changes. The way He thought about things THEN is still the way He thinks about things NOW!

Every single sovereign territory on this earth has a duty to it's citizens to protect them from evil doers.  Of course certainly most prospective immigrants are just trying to make their lives better. But also there are some very bad guys out there trying to get into the country by any means possible. I for one am all for legal immigration but since I live in Mexico as a permanent resident, I can tell you first hand, that it took my wife and I, YEARS OF PAPERWORK and red tape to gain that designation, not to mention a ton of greenbacks! And when we adopted a Mexican child it took nearly 7 years in the Mexican courts to do so. If at any one single moment we were not legal during those years, we could have been deported in a heart beat. And righteously so!

So what am I concerned about? I am sick and tired of seeing this border wall controversy sucking the oxygen out of nearly every single news cycle. I am tired of seeing this thing used for political gain by either or both sides. I am sick and tired of reading about opioid epidemics and illegal drugs flowing from south to north. I am heartily sick of knowing that MS 13 gangs can stroll across the border at will. And yes although I am a gun lover myself, for heavens sakes let's do something to respect Mexican "anti gun" law.

Let's write some letters. Make some calls, do some "orderly" marches if need be and just build the darn wall.

Walls are respected by God and also should be by His creation. If you doubt what I say here just take a look at the book of Nehemiah. Much of it is about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. That was in the 5th century B.C. Although built and rebuilt many times---they still stand to this very day.

Let's get on with our lives and support the rule of law on both sides of the border. That starts with a defensible wall.

God bless,
Pastor Rance.