A Biblical View of Security of the National Borders

 

The Bible contains various principles and examples that can be interpreted in discussions about the security of national borders. The following verses address themes of national defense, the role of authorities, and the treatment of foreigners. Here are some relevant passages:

1. Nehemiah 4:6-9: Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem for protection reflect the importance of securing a community for safety: “So we rebuilt the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

2. Romans 13:1-4: This passage emphasizes the role of governing authorities in maintaining order and security: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and God has instituted those that exist. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”

3. Psalm 127:1: This verse highlights the importance of relying on God’s protection and not solely on human efforts: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

4. Proverbs 25:28: This verse, while symbolic, can be interpreted as valuing self-control and protection: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

5. Leviticus 19:33-34: This passage emphasizes the fair treatment of foreigners, suggesting that while security is important, compassion and justice should not be neglected: “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”*

From these passages, a balanced biblical perspective could be understood as one that values the security and protection of a nation while also emphasizing the fair and compassionate treatment of foreigners and reliance on God’s ultimate protection.

Fr Abraam Sleman

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