Today's Scripture Reading (December 14, 2021): Numbers 20
Have you ever taken credit for something you didn't do? Admittedly, it has been a staple of modern
politics. Leading politicians get to take credit for the achievements of underlings as if it was completely their idea and intelligence that resulted in
the triumph. It is rare to have a leader
who is willing to sacrifice their image to ensure that credit goes to the person to whom it belongs. And sometimes those great achievements go unnoticed in
the moment because the reality is that publicity would undo even greater
advancements. We are all political beings, and we want to be thought of in the
best light possible.
The people of Israel once again begin to complain
about their circumstances. It was so much better back in the old days. Then
they had a variety of grains to eat, along with figs, grapes, and even pomegranates. Back in Egypt, they had water to drink. But the Israelites have none of this now. So, why did they ever leave? They had forgotten the
hardships and even the fact that their children's lives were subject to the whims of the Pharaoh who
sat on Egypt's throne. The
forced labor camps were a distant memory. Forgotten were the cries out to God,
to which God had
responded. And the people, one more time, complained to Moses about the
predicament into which he had them.
As much as the people were frustrated with Moses,
Moses was also frustrated with the people. And from our point of
view, we understand his frustration. God had done so much for Israel. Step by step and crisis by crisis, he had cared for Israel's needs. And yet, the people still complained. Before, Moses had cried out to God
amid the trials, and God had answered. But this time is different. This
time, Moses reacts with frustration and anger against the people. "You rebels!" he cries. And they were. They had consistently
complained and rebelled against the dictates of the one trying to save them. They were like a doomed swimmer, fighting against
the saving efforts of a lifeguard.
"Listen,
you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Some biblical
scholars read these words and hear Moses taking credit for his partnership with
God. They hear in these words Moses's belief that he was an integral part of
the movement of God. After all, when God heard the cries of the people, God had
come to Moses to enlist his help. Moses had protested, but God had insisted. When
God performed the miracles in Egypt, he had done so through Moses. Every step
of the way, Moses had been the partner of this movement of God. And somehow,
Moses had begun to believe that he was a fifty-fifty partner in the endeavor.
And
maybe they are right. But, somehow, the context seems a little wrong. Did Moses
mean him and God when he said, "must we bring you water out of this rock?"
Maybe. But it also seems quite possible that he meant him and Aaron. That, at
this moment, Moses was taking credit for something that had very little to do
with him. He and Aaron could spend the whole day pounding on the rock without
God, and no water would come. This was all about God.
I wonder if we do the same thing. Is it possible that
we still take credit for the successes in our life that we have very little to do with us?
Oh, I know we work hard, but the real power behind our successes
is still God. And whether we realize it or not, it always has been.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Psalm 90
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