The Bible has a lot to say about migration, From Genesis on through the New Testament there are narratives, laws, and other material related to people who have had to move to other lands. It is not uncommon to read or hear presentations of this biblical data directed primarily, if not completely, at the majority culture -- with the goal that the majority culture consider God’s compassion toward the outsider. Little is said about what these same texts might have to say to the immigrant. Let me offer a couple of examples.

First, humanity as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). These verses explain that, because every person is in the image of God, all of humanity has unique worth and capacities (Note that humans are to rule the earth! What potential!). To the majority culture, this truth should impact how they view immigrants. Immigrants have value before God and should be treated accordingly. They also have the God-given capability to contribute in significant ways to national life and the common good.

For the immigrant: Being created in God’s image means that immigrants should not view themselves as less important than anyone of the majority culture among whom they live. They are not in any way of less worth, no matter their educational and social level, language, country of origin, or color. They should not see themselves as simply victims of unfortunate circumstances or injustice; no, immigrants have the potential, like anyone else, to rule the earth -- that is, they can make an impact and be a positive factor in their new world! It also means that they need to live responsible lives. In other words, immigrants can hold their head high and should live their lives with confidence and gratitude before God and their adopted country in the fullness of their humanity.

Another example from Genesis: the lives of the patriarchs. Several times Abram and his descendents find themselves on the move, as they look for food and water (Genesis 12, 20, 26). Hunger can drive a people to migrate to survive. Joseph is a special case. He is sold into another land -- a forced migration! As Joseph serves the Pharaoh, he helps save Egypt from famine and is able to accommodate his father and brothers and their families to help them in time of need (Genesis 41-47). In other words, some of the great heroes of the Bible were migrants. The majority culture needs to take a closer look at the biblical characters about whom they preach! And Abraham, that migrant of long ago, is the father and example of our Christian faith (Romans 4)!

For the immigrant: The lesson is that immigrants can come to these patriarchal narratives and find others who experienced similar things. In a sense, they can understand the patriarchs better precisely because they, too, have had to migrate! At the same time, they can read these texts as a casebook to see the good and the bad things that the patriarchs did in foreign lands, those things that reflect faith and solid character and those things that should be avoided.

These are just a couple of examples of how the Bible as the Word of God is a rich Word to both majority culture and immigrant believers. May we learn together, as we hear together that Word.

M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas) is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary and the founder of its Spanish-language training program (IDEAL). He is the author of Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible (Baker Academic, 2008). Visit his blog.