The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’ Exodus 16:2-3
I love that the people in the Bible are so real! Here you have a people who have just been delivered from bondage, and are now free, complaining that they are hungry. They are so overly dramatic that they cry they would rather have died at the hand of their captors in a place they knew (after a meal) than starve to death out here in the wilderness.
Apparently this same kind of sentiment was around 200+ years ago. Benjamin Franklin stated, “those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” It seems as though these people would trade full bellies for freedom.
Too often we would give up the long term good for the short term gain. We would sacrifice the good of all for our own selfish desires. Part of our maturation as human beings is learning to delay gratification. As we grow in faith, we begin to see the world through God’s eyes, rather than our own.
God hears the cry of the people. Fortunately, God is even more wise than Ben Franklin and decides to provide them both liberty and food security. God wants them to learn through this experience. They have moved from enslavement to liberty. Now God wants them to move from dependence to INTER-dependence. God wants them to learn to depend on God and upon each other. God wants them to learn to use their freedom not just for their own well-being, but for the well-being of all. God wants them to practice responsibility and obligation, not just revel in freedom. So God provides food for them in the evening and in the morning. God provides just enough for each person for that day (with double the ration on Friday, so they can observe the Sabbath). They can’t hoard it, or make reserves, nor is there any value in exploiting or stealing from another to get more.
“At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’ – Exodus 16: 12b
When we pray, “give us today our daily bread,” we are remembering that moment in the wilderness. As we go through our days, and in these times of great change, may we remember that God provides enough for us to be secure. This happens when we also recognize that God gives us the freedom to choose to care for one another. Communities and nations exist to secure God-given rights. Let us exercise our rights in a way which expresses our interdependence.
We thank you, O God, for your many blessings. We thank you that even in this time of distress and upheaval you are showing us a way through. Guide the hands and thoughts of researchers and caregivers. Allow us to catch a glimpse through your eyes. Fill us with a vision of what might be, and how each of us can use our liberty to build you kin-dom. All of this we ask in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Pastor George
Here are Suzanne’s questions for Sunday Worship:
- Paul was able to see Christ at work even during times of trouble. When have you seen Christ at work during times of trouble? How can you be in ministry during times of trouble?
- What are some of the “benefits” of having faith for a good part of your life vs. coming to faith at the end of life?
- Is the landowner’s practice unjust, generous or both? Have you ever been on the receiving end of graciousness lie the last workers in the parable?