Musing – How Should We Love Immigrants?

 Hebraic Musing – How Should We Love Immigrants?

Have you heard someone quote Jesus to justify illegal immigration and open borders?  "You have heard it said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I tell you, love your enemies." Matt.5:43 NIV   To understand this verse we need to first clarify at least two of the key words -- “Love” and “Enemy”. 

There are three Hebrew words for love and two Hebrew words for enemy, but let’s clarify the definitions in English first.  “Enemy” is a noun.  An “enemy” is an opposing military force, an armed adversary, a hostile group of people or a personal competitor, rival or mortal enemy who seeks our death.  By contrast, “Love” can be either a noun or a verb with similar meanings – affection, devotion, endearment, romance and/or sex.

In Hebrew, “enemy” has two definitions.  First is from "tsar" meaning a foe, enemy, or oppressor.  (In Russia, Czar is “king”)  In Genesis 14:20, Melchizedek said, "And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand” referring to oppressors.  The other Hebrew word is "oyeb" found in Genesis 49:8, where Jacob is blessing Judah – “Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies" referring to personal or national hostilities.

In the Bible, “Love” can be translated from both "ahabah" defined as the deep friendship between people or of a love for objects.  A related word is "ahab", meaning “love” as in “Jacob was in love with Rachel” Gen. 29:18 NIV   Love involves a close and developed relationship.

Key point -- Whenever we are talking about relationships, we need to consider the degree of trust in any relationship.  When a person demonstrates that he cannot be trusted, the relationship will by necessity be much more superficial than a close and trusting relationship.  Whatever the relationship, we are commanded to forgive.  The difficulty of forgiving is in direct proportion to the significance of the grievance or the frequency which results in a justified inability to trust the person(s).  We are never commanded to trust anyone, whether friend or enemy.  The closeness of a relationship depends upon the level of trust; a necessary element for the relationship to become safe, deep, and close.  

We find the command to love our enemies in both Matthew and in Luke.  "You have heard that it was said, (in the Torah) 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matt 5:43-44  The passage in Luke 6:27-31 reads "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

We can see that we do not put ourselves in danger in a relationship, with those we do not, or should not, trust.  We pray for them at a distance.  We certainly do not want to be the cause of bad feelings; we need to be friendly and loving toward people and get to know them.

My view of the intent of Matt. 5:43 – We are responsible to work on developing a relationship by reconciling with our enemies so we can bring them into the Kingdom of God.

 Points to ponder

Are we ready to reach out to Muslims and show them the love of Jesus?

How do we first build trust so we can nurture a relationship?

How to reconcile these two verses? 
"Expel the wicked man from among you."  1 Corinth. 5:13   vs.
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

♫ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Yerusalem shall live in peace. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                               October 17, 2023

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    

Note – Inspired by Johanna Hocker’s – “How should we love immigrants?” Feb 22, 2017