Hello siblings
I hope that our brief journey with Y’shua and the disciples was a good respite from the Wilderness Wanderings from Egypt. We’re back on the journey with Moses and the House of Israel. And once again, they’re are lessons in store for us. Have a taste of Today’s Holy Nougat, and see whether it quench your thirst for God.
Exodus 17:1 AFV
[1] And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim. And there was no water for the people to drink.
Drought
They left Sin behind, and arrived at a resting place
But what a resting place it was!
No water.
Not
A
Single
Drop
Yet, Moses would have them believe that God wanted them to rest there. It was utterly preposterous. Based on Numbers 1:46, we can safely assume that there had to be at least one million souls travelling, since the males who were eligible for war were 603,550. Regardless of the accuracy of that census, we realize that Moses was responsible for thousands, and the place he proposed they rest was not an oasis.
Self-Check
How do we respond when our leader seems to be clueless and is taking us around in circles?
Deeper Dive
Whether he knew it or not, even without reading any further, Moses was in a bind. Thousands of people with their children and animals, and no water was a serious challenge. A test, even. Perhaps the meaning of Rephidim should also include test, as it certainly would test Moses’ faith. It could also be seen as a test for the House of Israel.
Siblings, modern experience has taught us that when resources are scarce, tempers are high, integrity is on the line, and even the slightest act can be grounds for rebellion. How much more so when we’re taken-almost against our will, based on what seems to be the whim of one who hadn’t really walked half a mile in our shoes!
Moses, though born to the Children of Israel, was raised like an Egyptian prince, then lived away from the people for the second half of his life. No one, but God, truly knew where he’d been or what he did in those 40 years. To add insult to injury, on his return, he not only spoke of insurrection, but he also led the entire people away to wander around without food, and subsequently without water.
What do we do when there is a leadership crisis? These days, there might have been a coup (Korach and a few folks tried that then) or a No Confidence motion would be raised and passed (also attempted). The lines would be drawn, whether in religious or secular spaces. But more specifically, how does each of us address issues of what presents as incompetence? How do we deal with faith leaders, claiming to be led by God’s Spirit, yet leading folks to their doom?
What we should do, is seek God’s guidance. What we actually do is left for each of us to determine.
Prayer Point
Let’s pray for our leaders, especially those who are led by God. Pray for God’s Spirit to rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of integrity, patience, and the fear of the Lord.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
