By Dr. Douglas F. Levesque, Founder of The Levesque Institute
Between the Al Qaeda threats and the Mexican drug gangs, our borders have become an crucially important issue. Immigration is not a new problem for nations. It is an ancient dilemma with plenty of historical examples of how to and how not to deal with foreigners. Today, America’s border security is foremost on our minds and the ideas are numerous for a solution. The following ideas come from a cornerstone of our national culture – the Bible.
Border Security
In the Bible’s Old Testament book of Judges, a neighboring tribe invaded with the intent to harm the tribe of Gilead. In the name of defense, The Gileadites seized the narrow border areas (mostly fords and rivers), and put a test to their enemies based upon language and culture. The Gileadites made those desiring to cross the defended border say the word, “Shibboleth”, meaning “a stream or river”, but the foreigners could only say “sibboleth”, and were hence identified as unwelcome (Judges 12:6). Their different culture, and therefore mental intent was identified through language. Here is the idea: seize the borders and require English to be well spoken as a baseline of entrance into the United States! This would greatly reduce threatening persons even attempting to cross our border! We need to see this type of profiling as determining America’s enemies by language (and culture) rather than by color or national origin. Foreign gangs and terror cultures can be identified somewhat by language, and their intended purposes should make them to be not welcome here. The preserving of the English language is important to our national security and cultural identity.
Migrant Workers
We need migrant workers. Whether for the unique skills they provide or the low wages they’re willing to work for, the United States simply cannot do without them. The question is how do we safely and efficiently attain them? King David was a great king that employed many foreign workers. The key to his success was that it was the foreign country’s government (in this case King Hiram) that determined and sent the chosen laborers. Hiram was responsible for his own people, their purpose for being there, and the work they did. That these migrants actually built David’s house, a seat of government, shows that they were trusted indeed (II Sam. 5:11). Here is another idea: seek specific labor skills to work, temporarily, at specific jobs, but make their government responsible for their behavior. Needy companies could apply to a job’s bank and countries could apply! Yes, that would make Saudi Arabia responsible for the acts of her citizens on 9/11.
Foreign Relations
Finally, how does a friendly, open country like the United States tighten her borders but maintain a good relationship with her neighbors? The Bible proposes a great relationship as the key to a friendly border not the other way around. If Canada, Mexico, or other countries desire to have their citizen’s work here, then they must show some love. No really! Consider King Solomon’s (King David’s son) continued relationship with King Hiram in I Kings 5:1, “And Hiram King of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him King in the room of his fathers: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.” Here is a final idea: forget worrying about the whole world loving us. Let’s do business with those that do! Join us in principles of liberty in order to share our liberties.
America needs to use the advice of the Bible in the immigration issue, but apply it to ourselves as well. Our very best immigration policy should still be subject to the admonition ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’ (Lev. 19:18). If we held these ancient principles up as policy we would have to be willing to follow them also.
