Observation: The Israelites are grumbling against Moses in the wilderness, because they are used to the rich and plentiful food of Egypt. They seem to have forgotten one minor detail: in Egypt they were slaves. In the wilderness, they are less comfortable. They're in a new situation, facing new dangers, forced to rely on God for daily manna. But they are free.
Application: Times are changing. They always have been. It's not unusual to yearn for a time we thought of as simpler, when we thought we had the world figured out. For as long as I've been alive, I've heard various folks say life was simpler in the post-war economic boom of the 1950's and 1960's. The suburbs were expanding, America was "on top", and the churches and Sunday Schools were full. For mainline Protestants, life was pretty good.
Two important observations about this: first, I think that if it were possible to bring back that world, somebody certainly would've done it. It's a pretty popular notion. And second, the "good old days" were not nearly as good as we remember for anybody who wasn't a white, straight, Protestant male. And as a white, straight, Protestant male, let me say: I wouldn't rather go back either!
Yes, things are more complicated, and folks have to continue learning throughout their lives. Yes, racism and sexism are getting called out more, and we find ourselves having to pay more attention to how we think and what we say, so as not to cause harm to our brothers and sisters. Yes, after centuries of privilege, guys like me are being asked to spend more time with our ears and minds open, and our mouths shut. Yes, we are going to have to rely on God's guidance when before we felt like we could pretty much figure it out for ourselves.
But would we rather go back to Egypt? Would we rather go back to the mental and spiritual slavery of believing only white men should ever be in charge? Do we prefer the spiritual slavery of more than half of us being told we are "less than"? Not me. I believe God made all humankind in God's image, male and female, every race and ethnicity. And if acknowledging that fact makes life more complicated, so be it. I'd rather be in the wilderness leaning on God, than in the comfort of slavery.
Prayer: God, open our hearts and minds, and lead us through the wilderness. Amen.
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