The Mechanics of Occupancy

What’s Behind Mass Migration?

Borders are collapsing as Western nations are being overrun by mass migration. This isn’t a new issue; people have always sought to migrate to the West. Yet something has dramatically changed. A power is at work that is greater than political and social policy. What the West may be experiencing is the power of spiritual laws assigned to determine boundaries and residency. The question we must answer is ‘what are these laws and how do they work?’

Impermanent Boundaries?

Though as Christians we should desire a Biblical perspective, opinions on this issue are highly charged. Still, one cannot argue with the historical evidence pointing to flexible national boundaries. Meaning, territorial jurisdictions are stable but never permanent. Static occupancy has never been guaranteed by either human or divine agencies.

The implications are many. One key one challenges the common belief that original occupants are automatically entitled to a permanent title deed. Clearly, God views occupants as stewards who can be displaced and replaced.

Of course it’s easy to see why we might lean toward this view. The displacement of original inhabitants often feels unjust. Yet, the entire history of the world is rife with these kinds of events. So the question we must ask ourselves is ‘how does God view these issues?’ and ‘what Biblical precedents exist?’ 

Thankfully, there are historical details able to address both sides of these issues.  What is important is not to side with the self-interest of either ourselves or those we hope to support. So before we claim God to be on our side, we may want to consider the possibility that our position does not align with Him.

At issue are the Biblical patterns around the displacement of people groups. It certainly happens, but is it just? If God is involved, what are the ground rules? Who or what determines access to territory, and is it right to claim eternal ownership valid?

Pre-appointed Times

There are immutable facts. Our tenancy and ownership are governed by heavenly laws. The unassailable influence of this realm cannot be averted or negated. We are reminded that the ’pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings’ are determined by God (Acts 17:26). 

This is a critical reality. A people’s hold over a particular territory is neither accidental, divinely whimsical, nor endless. We must now consider the implications of current mass migration and invasions. 

The chief issue is around iniquity.

The Biblical narrative is clear on this question. When God walked Abraham through the land, He gave him a promise. He told Abraham how his descendants would one day occupy this very territory, but not for many years. Then God reveals the mechanics responsible for their inevitable displacement.

“Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” —Genesis 15:15-16

The iniquity of the Amorites was not yet complete. When that time did come a few generations later, God reiterated how the cause was directly traced to iniquity.

  “For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants.” —Leviticus 18:25

Worth noting is what the land does. God makes His role clear but ties in how the land itself ejects the unworthy. 

Iniquity & Tenancy

The consequence of wickedness evokes a response as the land itself repels those responsible. Like a landlord evicting bad tenants, both the Lord and the land conspire together against those guilty of heinous iniquity. The previous tenants, which is always what we are as a people group (Acts 17:26), had broken their lease agreement with heaven. 

Iniquity disqualifies occupation. 

What follows is equally critical to absorb. This is the way these spiritual laws would apply, not just to the Canaanite nations, but to the new tenant as well. God later warns Israel to be careful to follow His laws and commandments, as the penalty for deviating from them would be severe. 

Should they fail to live righteously, they could also be subject to the same kind of displacement.

“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you.” —Leviticus 18:26-28.

True to His word, this exact consequence was later executed, and they were also sent into exile. However, in their case, God promised to bring them back. 

What About Today?

The question we must ask ourselves now surrounds what we see unfolding in terms of mass migration or invasion. While Western nations have enjoyed unprecedented eras of peace and prosperity, we are now under threat. The demographics and culture of our nations are under siege. But from whom? Men or God!

Our typical approach is to rail against the authorities responsible. We might bark at politicians or decry the management of our borders, but what if these agencies were fighting a war on an entirely higher plane? If we have offended the Lord and crossed an eternal boundary, no amount of political maneuvering or effective management can compensate for spiritual realities. We need righteousness across the nation.

Consider this astounding proverb.

“Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged.” —Proverbs 28:2

This is a profound reality worthy of close attention. It points us to the invisible source behind political contention, disunity and the loss of common consensus. Plainly said, transgressions spur the rise of ambition and division within a nation. Disunity, fragmentation, and loss of autonomy are effects and not causes. While we ought to do all we can on the natural front, this appears to be a spiritual problem requiring a spiritual response. It is time to seek the Lord.