Living in the Spirit

July 27, 2021

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15

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.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.

Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “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 16:2-4, 9-12

Once I worked with people receiving public assistance, helping them transition from dependence to being self-sustaining. One of the most significant challenges I faced was helping them deal with leaving the desperate situation in which they live for the scary new world of work and self-support. Many people denigrate the poor for their condition. How would you feel if you were without income or support systems like a family that will come to your rescue? Would you have the knowledge or strength to do what it takes to ensure your children have food to eat and clothing to wear? Can you imagine living in a family where no one ever worked?

The Israelites had been slaves for some 400 years, generations of a way of being that robbed them of all sense of self-sufficiency where they were dependent on their slave masters. Freedom was a scary proposition. It took forty years of wandering in the wilderness before these people were ready to follow Joshua into the Promise Land, at least two generations. As we attempt to address the wellbeing of the homeless and the poor, we must exercise some empathy before we, like Moses and Aaron, walk with them out of the wilderness, in which they find themselves.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the gift of empathy as we walk with those moving to self-sufficiency. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.