Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Immigration & Globalization in the Bible (Part 2)

So the first ambassador and diplomat was G-d, and the first embassy was located in Eden. Human government had access to good diplomatic relations with heaven.

However, a certain deportee called 'Satan', used the medium of a serpent in Eden, to disrupt the diplomatic relationship between humanity and heaven. Through the serpent, the devil was able to seduce human government to break the first treaty ever established on earth. However, out of it G-d made a new policy for earth's extra-terrestrial relations in Gen 3:15:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring Or seed and hers; he will crush Or strike your head, and you will strike his. (NIV)
Man who violated the conditions of their access to life and G-d in Eden was also deported. Adam and Eve found themselves denied entry to Eden and forced to immigrate to places where they would have to undertake agriculture for survival. Their visa to heaven was revoked; they lost their citizenship and permanent residence in Eden.

Adam was not only to have strained diplomatic relations with G-d, but also with the earth. Adam was used to picking fruit and nuts from trees, which were adequate to sustain him. Now he would have lack of access to orchards, and would have to create his own. Fortunately, he could till the soil for crops that did not take as long to grow and reproduce, such as ground provision and grain.

Now Cain, the first murderer, also had further strained diplomatic relations with both G-d and the earth. Unlike his dad, Cain had no work permit and could no longer utilise agriculture for his survival. His work permit on earth was revoked and he had to be a nomad in order to obtain food. Plus, he lost access to visits from G-d. However G-d did give him refugee status (Genesis 4:11-16).

Despite his lack of a work permit, Cain managed to build a city (Gen 4:17). So despite having to be a food gatherer and (possibly hunter), instead of a farmer, Cain was able to access food that he could possible store and have time to build a dwelling for himself and his family to settle down. Cain then became an artisan and skilled worker, and his generation followed. His great great grandson Lamech raised Jabal who became the father of tent makers skilled in livestock production (indicating that rather than hunting, they were able to domesticate a supply of animals, so they could have a constant supply of meat, hence remaining settled in one place) (Gen 4:19-20). Another offspring was Jubal, who raised musicians in his family, persons adept at discovering how to pleasantly arrange and organise sound and make instruments (Gen 4:21). This indicated that Jubal's descendants did have time for leisure and recreation, due to some constant supply of food and adequate food provision. How else would they have abandoned the rat race of gathering food and hunting if otherwise?

Finally, Lamech's son, Tubal-Cain, became a skilled artisan at making agricultural and construction tools. He was the first to be involved in the metal industry (Gen 4:22).

These great stories tell me that whatever restrictions are placed on one's working in another country, there are still ways and means to survive. No matter where you go and may be unable to find work, you can find something to do that can bring you an income. You need not rely on formal employment. You can always innovate and find something that humanity is not yet doing or producing and create a livelihood for yourself. Self-employment, innovation and entrepreneurship is also a path to being a successful immigrant. G-d bless you.

2 comments:

Fiona said...

This encourages me.

Unknown said...

Glad to know that.