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Scripture: Exodus 16.2-15 (NAB)
2 Here in the desert the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the LORD'S hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!" 4 2 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. 5 On the sixth day, however, when they prepare what they bring in, let it be twice as much as they gather on the other days." 6 So Moses and Aaron told all the Israelites, "At evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt; 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, as he heeds your grumbling against him. But what are we that you should grumble against us? 8 When the LORD gives you flesh to eat in the evening," continued Moses, "and in the morning your fill of bread, as he heeds the grumbling you utter against him, what then are we? Your grumbling is not against us, but against the LORD." 9 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the whole Israelite community: Present yourselves before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling." 10 When Aaron announced this to the whole Israelite community, they turned toward the desert, and lo, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud! 11 The LORD spoke to Moses and said, 12 "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God." 13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, 14 and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. 15 On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.
Comments
God giving food from the sky, in response to the Hebrews murmuring against Moses and Aaron, occurs a month after leaving Egypt. The discontent is highlighted by events in chapter fifteen, including celebration of God’s deliverance at the Red Sea, the changing of bitter to sweet water at Marah, and the Hebrews camping at Elim beside water, where there are twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. We might conclude the tribes would never again complain against either their human leaders or their God.
Moses and Aaron find themselves in a situation common to leaders. I was age nineteen when I began my first pastorate. Betty had been the unofficial leader of the congregation for years, regardless of who was pastor. She was the primary force behind my call to the church and let me know how much see supported me. On my first Sunday, after morning Worship, she shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, and spoke sternly, "You're going to have to change the way you preach." After instructions on how I was to preach, Betty left. That evening I spoke to her, "I’m not going to change the way I preach. If I do, someone else will not like that way." Betty did not contest my reply, but neither did she accept it. Twenty-seven years later, I have come to accept more graciously that receiving complaints is part of my calling.
Receiving complaints is a part of leadership, regardless of how sincere or diligent one is in duties. However, we can respond graciously, as Moses did to the Hebrews. Paul refers to God’s graciousness as “priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience,” and the “kindness of God” that leads to repentance (Romans 2.4, NAB). Remembering the example of leaders like Moses, as well as God’s patience with us, we are encouraged to be longsuffering and kind in the leadership God entrusts to us.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me not to take personally complaints against me, but to consider them patiently and act with Your priceless kindness toward my critics. Amen.
*OneLife writings are offered by Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist pastor serving in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He writes in the spirit of John Wesley's focus on the priority of inner experience of the Triune God; scriptural holiness; ongoing sanctification; the goal of Christian perfection (or, wholeness). Brian seeks to integrate the best of the contemplative teachings of Christianity East and West, from the patristic Church to the present. Brian lives a vowed contemplative life with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in North Florida. OneLife writings are for anyone seeking to live and share love, joy, and peace in the world and in devotion to God as she or he best understands God.
*Brian's book An Ache for Union, a book of poems on mystical union with God through love, can be ordered through major on-line booksellers.
The Grace of Christ be with All!
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