Chapter 46
Good Monday Morning to this new week 46 of 2023
“That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14; 1-4
This week, I played a role in organising an event with the church. We sought to infuse fresh elements into this annual event, beginning with a new venue, extending to the catering arrangements, and even reshaping the overall structure of the evening’s program. As the preparations unfolded, to my big astonishment” just 15 minutes before the event’s start, a chorus of skepticism echoed from various members of the employed staff. Remarks such as “this won’t work,” “we’ve always done it like this,” and predictions of inadequacy permeated the air.
In the midst of these complaints, I took a moment for reflection. Inwardly, annoyance surfaced hearing the grumbing to what we as key team had organised, prompting me to draw a parallel with the timeless narrative of the people of Israel, as well described in the book of Numbers. Their yearning for the familiarity of Egypt emerged. This longing manifested as resistance, with dissenting voices expressing doubts about the chosen path. The echoes of discontent even reached a point where some suggested the unthinkable – appointing a new leader to guide them back into the captivity of Egypt. Astonishingly, they perceived this regression as a preferable alternative to the arduous journey through the wilderness towards the promised land under their current leadership.
Recognizing this parallel, I found myself reflecting on this resistance to change ingrained in the human psyche, the magnetic pull of the familiar, and the inherent trepidation that accompanies forays into uncharted territories. Much like the Israelites navigating their discontent, our own journey to innovate and welcome change encountered a large chorus of skepticism and doubt.
Standing there, just 15 minutes before the event, I apprehensively observed the unfolding scenario. The “point of no return” had long passed, and the realization set in that the meticulously planned event would proceed as intended. Yet, amidst this realization, a palpable sense of pressure mounted. The audible grumbling reverberated through the air, revealing that many aspects of the preparations lay far beyond the comfort zones of the broader staff, who had not been intimately involved in the decision-making process for the event.
Certainly, I understand that the analogy may not be a perfect and even wrong to a certain degree, as the aspects of the past that we idealize are not directly linked to the captivity experienced by the Israelites. However, it’s intriguing how parallels emerge when we reflect on various facets of life. People often reminisce about a seemingly simpler time, citing factors such as having more time, enjoying better food, experiencing fewer illnesses, the absence of social media distractions, fewer cars on the road, and the abundance of trees— the list goes on. While acknowledging the differences in context, it’s fascinating to observe the common human tendency to romanticize aspects of the past, yearning for a time perceived as unburdened by the complexities of the present. This sentiment, though not synonymous with the Israelites’ captivity, echoes a experience in many current discussions.
In response to the rebellion, Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the assembly gathered at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Their reaction was one of humility and earnest supplication before God. Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, one of the twelve spies who had given a positive report about the Promised Land, tore their clothes in distress. They tried to reason with the people, emphasizing the goodness of the land God had promised them and urging faith in God’s ability to bring them into it.
Moses then interceded on behalf of the people before God. In Numbers 14:13-19 (NIV), Moses said:
“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power, you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, Lord, are with these people and that you, Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, “The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.”
Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: “The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.'”
Despite the people’s rebellion and desire to appoint a new leader and return to Egypt, Moses interceded on their behalf, appealing to God’s character and emphasizing God’s mercy and forgiveness.
This passage imparts a valuable lesson on the profound impact of humility and forgiveness. Moses, in his role as a leader, showcased a remarkable ability to navigate the tumult of discontent rooted in reflections on the past, doing so with grace. His plea to God serves as a great reminder of the transformative power inherent in forgiveness and the essential nature of collective responsibility.
Wishing you all a good start to this new week.
Philemon