Ezekiel 39:7-8, 21-29 The Nations Will Know

 

Observation: the Lord promises to restore the fortunes of the people of Israel (Jacob) just as God sent them into exile in Babylon in the first place. Both of these actions, God explains, were to show God's glory to the nations (Gentiles). 

Application: The Babylonian exile was a traumatic experience for anyone who lived through it. It's a hard pill to swallow, that God would have anything to do with that, even if it did end up teaching Judah (and the Gentile nations who saw it happen) a lesson. 

I don't believe that God intentionally sends or causes every traumatic thing that happens to us. Living in a fallen world, sometimes bad things just happen. But God can and does use the bad things that do happen as lessons. They can be opportunities to draw closer to God, to our loved ones, and maybe to let go of some of the unhelpful habits or relationships that cause us pain. Even the pain that breaks God's heart, and ours, can teach us something. 

Prayer: God, deliver us from evil and save us from the time of trial. But with the trials that have already come, bring wisdom, lessons, and a chance to make your name known. Amen.

Numbers 16:41-50 Protecting the People

 Numbers 16:41-50 (NRSV)

41On the next day, however, the whole congregation of the Israelites rebelled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the LORD." 42And when the congregation had assembled against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the tent of meeting; the cloud had covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45Get away from this congregation, so that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell on their faces. 46Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, put fire on it from the altar and lay incense on it, and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them. For wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun." 47So Aaron took it as Moses had ordered, and ran into the middle of the assembly, where the plague had already begun among the people. He put on the incense, and made atonement for the people. 48He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stopped. 49Those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. 50When the plague was stopped, Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Observation: God has recently caused a man named Korah and his family to be swallowed up by the earth for trying to usurp the priesthood from the family of Aaron. Now, God tells Moses God intends to consume all the people of Israel with a plague. Moses and Aaron act fast. Aaron grabs a censer full of holy incense and goes into the midst of the people already dying from plague, separating the dead from the living, saving  hundreds of thousands of lives. Still, over fourteen thousand die. 

Application: Honestly, if this text were the only story I have about the God of Israel, I would not be inclined to worship that God. I don't see compassion, forgiveness or love. Just vindictive rage. We don't always have to come to the defense of the Bible and try to explain God's actions--or at least what the storytellers perceive to be God's actions. No priest should have to step into the breach to defend the people from an angry God. And whatever really happened here, and whatever it meant to Israel, my belief is that no priest does have to protect the people from God. In fact, the message we get from Jesus is that more often it's God stepping in to protect us from ourselves. 

I don't know if God really wanted to consume all Israel with a plague, or if that's just how the people experienced it. But one thing I do gain from this text is that even though Moses and Aaron DO perceive this plague to be somehow from God, they have no compunction about doing the right thing and protecting their people from it. Whatever your theology dictates, it's never wrong to do what you can to keep others safe. It's never ever wrong to save lives. 

Prayer: God, I just don't understand this story. It doesn't seem like you, but I trust you are in there. Open my ears to hear your word in the difficult stories, and my heart to receive it. Amen. 

Ezekiel 34:23-31 Safety and Abundance

 

Observation: God promises to shepherd the people of Israel, to protect them from "wild animals," meaning hostile and tyrannous nations or leaders, and to feed them "splendid vegetation" so they will no longer go hungry. 

Application: It's a good thing that God is our true shepherd, because human beings have never been any good at it. Oh, we're plenty good at ordering each other around, and imposing our will on others. But in terms of leading and ordering our society in such a way that all are safe, fed, sheltered and able to prosper, not so much. After reading reports of over a hundred thousand killed on either side of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, after wondering if we can steward the planet well enough to support my great grandchildren, after watching leaders in the most prosperous nation in history bicker back and forth about whether we should pay our bills, I know we need a better shepherd. And while we're waiting for the fullness of God's promise for the world, God can still shepherd in our hearts.

Prayer: Lead our souls, Good Shepherd. We are wandering in a dangerous and afraid land. Show us the abundance of a life guided by you. Amen.