They went to Egypt to escape danger and in obedience to the wishes of God. They were certainly refugees, but were certainly not "undocumented", as some have claimed. After all, they registered for the census in Bethlehem, so they were counted and recorded and presumably taxed.
Does it matter if they were or were not refugees? What matters to me is Saint Joseph's obedience and fidelity to protect the Christ child and his mother whatever the cost.
They were refugees in that they were seeking sanctuary from Herod in Egypt. But as they never left the Roman Empire, they were not immigrants. And they were not undocumented as they had just registered in the census. Also, they did not arrive in Egypt with thousands of other Jews, asking for free healthcare and food stamps. There were, however, Jewish communities in all the major cities, not just of Egypt, but of the Empire, and that's probably where they stayed.
Fleeing for your life, seeking sanctuary, seems obvious to me regardless of man made borders. I am sure there were disgruntled Egyptians who complained about those lazy non working Jews who were a burden to their society. Seems to always be a few. Meanwhile the rich are always entitled to more, even if picked from the poor persons pocket. Go figure.
Jews in Egypt were slaves. The lowest of the low on the social ladder. As such outcasts, alien, and taken advantage of. In my mind they were refugees. No I was not saying they were lazy but I am certain they were outcasts and as such branded as undesirables by Egyptian society.I thought I was clear that I was referring to the sterotypes of the dominant culture to the unwelcome. I hope this clarifies my thoughts.
Jews in Egypt were slaves and as such undesirable aliens, outsiders and unwelcome. I believe they would have been stereotyped by the dominant culture. I was not calling them lazy or any Jews lazy in Egypt at the time. My point was they would be unwelcome and suspicious outsiders to the Egyptians.
Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.
The barque of Peter? Makes sense to me.
ReplyDeletethey went from one Roman territory to another.
ReplyDeleteThey went to Egypt to escape danger and in obedience to the wishes of God. They were certainly refugees, but were certainly not "undocumented", as some have claimed. After all, they registered for the census in Bethlehem, so they were counted and recorded and presumably taxed.
ReplyDeleteDoes it matter if they were or were not refugees? What matters to me is Saint Joseph's obedience and fidelity to protect the Christ child and his mother whatever the cost.
ReplyDeleteI like the boat picture btw. ^^
They were refugees in that they were seeking sanctuary from Herod in Egypt. But as they never left the Roman Empire, they were not immigrants. And they were not undocumented as they had just registered in the census. Also, they did not arrive in Egypt with thousands of other Jews, asking for free healthcare and food stamps. There were, however, Jewish communities in all the major cities, not just of Egypt, but of the Empire, and that's probably where they stayed.
ReplyDeleteFleeing for your life, seeking sanctuary, seems obvious to me regardless of man made borders. I am sure there were disgruntled Egyptians who complained about those lazy non working Jews who were a burden to their society. Seems to always be a few. Meanwhile the rich are always entitled to more, even if picked from the poor persons pocket. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteAre you calling the Mother of God and St Joseph lazy non working Jews? Please tell me where you get this from? What Church Father said this?
DeleteHe wasn't.
DeleteOK. Who then? What Jews? Who were lazy non working Jews in Egypt?
DeleteJews in Egypt were slaves. The lowest of the low on the social ladder. As such outcasts, alien, and taken advantage of. In my mind they were refugees. No I was not saying they were lazy but I am certain they were outcasts and as such branded as undesirables by Egyptian society.I thought I was clear that I was referring to the sterotypes of the dominant culture to the unwelcome. I hope this clarifies my thoughts.
DeleteJews in Egypt were slaves and as such undesirable aliens, outsiders and unwelcome. I believe they would have been stereotyped by the dominant culture. I was not calling them lazy or any Jews lazy in Egypt at the time. My point was they would be unwelcome and suspicious outsiders to the Egyptians.
DeleteYou admit that the Old Testament Jews were Slaves.
DeleteSo now you're saying the Europeans are enslaving the Muslim refugees?
Look - comparing Muslims to the New Testament Jews (which you were and got caught) or to the Old Testament Jews does not hold.
Yeah, well. What?
ReplyDeleteI deleted my comments Terry - haven't the energy 😏
ReplyDeleteI think I understand - thanks though. I feel the same way. :)
Delete