Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:2–13; Leviticus 19:9–10, 23–25; 20:22–26; 25:23–24
Let us take straight steps towards the glory that shall be revealed; that, as every day we are a step nearer to the grave, we may be also a step nearer to a blessed eternity. It was the voice of Moses the man of God, and that which he had in charge from Heaven concerning the children of Israel in their march towards Canaan, “Say unto the people, Go forward; there is a good land before you, a land flowing with milk and honey.” The Lord was with them, and wrought great things for them; and he hath also wrought great things for us. Let us all press, therefore, towards the mark [for the prize] of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, till we come to that city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, and that kingdom that cannot be shaken, which God hath prepared for them that love him. —William Penn
Questions: Have you ever considered human responsibility to care for the land and other creatures as part of your work as a person of faith? Although the Torah creates a system to feed the people, it may be a better idea to create a system in which people have access to the resources they need. What do you think this might look like in your community? Other parts of the instructions in the Torah discuss caring for the land for the sake of the land – although it is clear the authors felt that caring for the land was simultaneously an act of caring for the people. In our own time and in your region, what might it look like to care for creation in this way?
In Numbers 13–14, Moses sends twelve men to reconnoiter the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey. These spies confirm that the land is fertile, yet they say that the current inhabitants are giants, strong and brave, compared to whom the Israelites are mere grasshoppers.
If the story is read as a parable for our time, we may notice that we, too, live in a land flowing with milk and honey, with abundant food and housing. Yet this prosperity is not available to everyone. It coexists with poverty, hunger, and homelessness, so figuratively, we are inside the Promised Land, while others are on the outside looking in, feeling hopeless.
Moreover, modern comfort requires resources from the earth on which we live.
This story concerns having confidence in the face of giants. The Israelites condemned themselves to failure by their fear of giants. Similarly today, it may be fear of financial and political giants that paralyzes actions which would ensure that all people would thrive. We might be intimidated by those who seem to control much of the political system. We shrink back from the principalities and powers of our own age.
How do we get beyond despair? As the story of the twelve spies illustrates, it is those with courage who will take us by the hand and help us to face the giants.
However, they can only inspire us. We will need to form an inner resolve to align ourselves with God’s will and direction. Prayer and meditation, individually and as a community can draw us together to overcome fear and despair. May the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord (Psalm 19:14).
–Keith Barton in “Friendly Perspective” from Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: Following God Together