The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.” – Numbers 17:5

Today’s Scripture Reading (August 10, 2012): Numbers 17

There was a time of relative peace in the world that starts just before the birth of Jesus Christ and then extended for about two hundred years. It was a time of minimal expansionist tendencies on the part of the ruling government (the Roman Empire) and its author was  the ruling king - Caesar Augustus. The period of time is known as the “Pax Romana” which is Latin for the “Roman Peace.” But the truth behind the Roman Peace was that it coexisted with a period of intense internal violence. The Roman Peace was maintained by a very familiar Roman violence. Crimes were often dealt with swiftly and finally. The Roman Cross found frequent use. The Roman Peace was maintained by the Roman threat. To go against the Roman Peace was to risk immediate punishment – and often death.

It is a common tale from history. Rule was always maintained by force. To cross the King would be to risk instant death. The reason was that every King or Queen had a weakness that could be exploited. But the weakness could be overcome and the will of the ruler instigates by the liberal use of violent strength. Second chances were rare. And examples had to be made of the offenders.   

One of the images that we have of God is that he is sitting on his throne in heaven just waiting for us to mess up. He is the King, and unlike earthly Kings, he also knows everything. The combination was dangerous. God is the King who knows and his punishment is far reaching. And, for many of us, this is the God that we serve - except, that it is not the nature of God.

One of the differences between God and an earthly King is that God has nothing to prove and he has no weaknesses to exploit. And that might be the reason that he is characterized by grace. What Israel had done by questioning the leadership of Moses was to commit treason. Even though Israel was designed to be a theocracy (a nation ruled by God), Moses was the visible leader or king that sat on the physical throne of the nation. The penalty for treason throughout history has been death.

But God chose a different path. Rather than punish the offender, God chooses to do one more miracle to settle the leadership question. He chose grace. And he still chooses grace. Far being from a God who cannot wait for us to mess up, he is the God willing to risk one more miracle to bring his children finally home.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 18