Assimilation
Today we see much division, separation and independence among people and nations. Some refer to this as tribalism – the natural tendency to strongly align with a group identity particularly along cultural and racial lines. This approach creates a “them” and “us” hostility which further enhances separation. Multiculturalism follows a course where all cultures are considered of equal value.
The Bible has some clear guidelines for addressing this division and confusion. At some point, God will have people assimilate into a cohesive group, all displaying the same mind.
God warns His people about assimilating with groupings who do not follow His way of life. So, assimilating can certainly have a negative side to it.
“Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me …” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).
The Apostle Paul gives this a New Testament context for God’s people:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
Simply put, God’s people are not to assimilate with a world led by Satan. His mind is the antithesis of God’s mind.
However, there is a positive side to assimilation. God made this clear when Israel left Egypt and a number of non-Israelites departed with them.
“And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself …” (Leviticus 19:33,34).
“You shall have the same law for the stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 24:22).
“Strangers” were integrated into the Israelite’s way of life through the law of God. It was the common factor for all. It overrode ethnicity, culture and race. This was the same for the New Testament Church as well.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:28).
The track record for Israel shows a contempt for God’s instruction not to assimilate with the nations round about them. They did intermarry and foreign influence did turn Israel from following God. Solomon also engaged in this activity and his many wives turned his heart to their gods.
The modern-day nations of Israel have wholeheartedly adopted multiculturalism. Other cultures are regarded as equal and there is no longer any attempt to blend into one culture under God’s law. God’s law plays almost no part in how nations conduct their business, so it is no surprise that our culture is a conglomerate of differences promoting division instead of unity.
The warnings have been ignored, and the penalty is moving in on us. God said that if Israel disobeyed Him, then:
“The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:43,44).
As the people of God, we are to have no part in the assimilation of this world. Our assimilation is with Christ, His Church and God’s law.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
The current direction of the division and separations within our nations should be very instructive to God’s Church today. We need to remember that for us God’s law is still the basis of our assimilation.
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).
Brian Orchard
