When we examine scripture, it becomes evident that God’s approach to movement across lands was one of transparency and divine order. In fact, some of the earliest journeys recorded in the Bible show that God not only orchestrated these moves but also ensured that His people were known to local authorities, emphasising a respectful approach to the laws and leaders of the lands they entered.

The Example of the Patriarchs

Consider Abraham, the father of faith, who is often one of the clearest examples of God-directed migration. When God instructed Abraham to leave his homeland, the Lord specifically led him “to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Abraham did not enter these lands under disguise or attempt to remain unnoticed. Even during a famine when he temporarily moved to Egypt, Abraham made himself known to the ruling authorities, including Pharaoh. Later, his interaction with Abimelech, a Philistine king, demonstrates another instance of openness. Though Abraham made a moral misstep by misleading Abimelech about Sarah’s identity, we see God’s stance against deception in foreign lands. Instead of helping Abraham gain favour, his dishonesty almost brought disaster on the household of Abimelech and resulted in his deportation from the area (Genesis 20). Through these events, we observe that God’s approval of migration includes integrity and respect for the authorities of the host country.

Isaac, Abraham’s son, also journeyed as an immigrant to Gerar during a famine. He too was known to the local officials, and though his attempts at well-digging were met with opposition, Isaac’s presence was acknowledged legally and visibly in the region. By the end of his stay, God blessed Isaac, resulting in a treaty of peace between him and the Philistine king, showing that his consistent, transparent actions eventually brought him favor (Genesis 26:12-33). Isaac’s experience highlights that the path to securing a peaceful presence in a foreign land can be filled with challenges. But, as we see, Isaac’s faithfulness and recognition of authority brought about a lasting peace and stability in his stay.

In these examples, we see that migration in the Bible often required formal recognition from the local leadership, and God was an active part of guiding these journeys. He never condoned deceitful tactics to secure a place in a new land; rather, He often intervened to ensure His people upheld righteousness in their dealings. For those of us who feel called to move, whether for ministry, work, or other purposes, it is crucial to seek the Lord’s guidance and ensure we pursue regularisation wherever we go. Just as God directed Abraham and Isaac to transparent interactions with authorities, we too are encouraged to pursue lawful means in establishing our place.

God migrates in alignment to his Principles

From personal experience, I have seen the importance of God’s involvement in my journey as a missionary to Singapore. The process of navigating residency and work permits, alongside the daily responsibilities of ministry, underscores that when God calls you to a place, he also provides a path that aligns with His principles. The clarity that comes from God’s guidance, in addition to a commitment to transparency and lawful settlement, builds a foundation for a fruitful stay in any land.

Allow me to digress slightly here. Remember that deportation amidst other legal implications are not the only consequences to worry about but what I call “Mara’ness” is another grave implication. Of course, this is not a real word but my way of making sense of what happens when a decision to migrate is not God-ordained yet insisted upon by human beings. Mara’ness is extracted from the story of Naomi and Elimilek who left Bethlehem (meaning the House of Bread) to Moab , which was a land cut off from the assembly of God to the tenth generation and cursed for their hiring against Israel, Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse them (Deuteronomy 23:3). Although the grass seemed greener on the other side, Naomi lost what mattered to her most and came back bitter (Mara). This is significant in that it shows the need for divine guidance in migration as required beyond legal consequences but for the purpose of our welfare mentally, spiritually and physically as well as security.

Referring back to our main point, further biblical examples, such as Joseph’s leadership in Egypt (Genesis 41) and Nehemiah’s official appointment by the Persian king to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2), reveal a consistent theme: when God’s hand is on a journey, there is both favour and respect for the governing structures in place. Nehemiah’s request for letters of safe passage from King Artaxerxes exemplifies not only wisdom but also a faithful approach to respecting authority. By following these biblical principles, we see that God’s people thrived in foreign lands with His blessing and in harmony with the laws of those lands.

Legal immigration, as modeled in scripture, aligns with God’s values of integrity, respect for others, and trust in His guidance. Just as the patriarchs found favor and fulfillment in God-directed moves, we too can trust that God will open the right doors and sustain us when we lean on Him in our journeys across borders.