Jun 20 2020 Numbers 13:31- 14:25

[N]one of the people who have seen my glory and the signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have tested me these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their ancestors

We’re in this for the long haul, this life of faith. God has told Moses that none of the people who were brought out of Egypt will see the promised land. What a crushing disappointment. They’d survived years, wandering, eating manna instead of their beloved cucumbers and melon. They’d complained bitterly, and they left everything they’d known. And yet, the won’t finish this marathon they started; they won’t cross the finish line. How tempting it would be to give up, if they’d all known what Moses knew. How tempting was it for Moses to give up, knowing what he knew?

We live in tumultuous times. Even before pandemics and racial oppression, there was rampant homelessness, economic disparities, drug abuse, poverty. Add in these new threats of a pandemic and tension, and our collective problems have only increased. We may not see the end of economic disparities, poverty, racism. And knowing that, how tempting is it to give up? 

We may not see the end of those problems, but our progress, like the Israelites, is critical for our children’s progress, and our children’s children. We are not charged with reaching the promised land, but we are commanded to keep going. But we cannot equate our actions with any outcome or progress, lest we be tempted to give up. Of course, I want a better world, and of course I’ll do everything I can. But if God’s kingdom doesn’t come on my watch, I’m still called to keep going. 

This past week as been a wonderful week of celebrations and new ministry. I had the great privilege of serving at three physically distanced, face-masked, small gathering, ordination services, for three new deacons to God’s church. Their optimism and conviction about changing the world is inspiring, and much needed. Every day, people take up the marathon started back by the Israelites, and we continue today. Every act of grace and love and mercy, every act to dismantle the systems of racism, every missionary act and dollar donated. 

The Talmud is a body of writing of Rabbinic writings about Hebrew Scripture, and like the Christian writings of our ancient fathers and mothers, it contains timeless reflection on our scripture. The Talmud states, "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

This morning, I’m thinking about my small piece in alleviating the world’s great grief, whether it’s in my personal actions, or training the next generation for their actions. I’m also thinking about a history that’s strewn with people who did not abandon the work, but also didn’t complete it. They kept going, to assure that their successors could make it a little further. We must too.