Even though God is leading them in such an obvious fashion -- the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night -- they still question and fear. And along with the cloud and fire, oh, yeah, the writer seems almost to remember..."the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army." So an angel leads them, too. I wonder what that was like? Did anyone talk to him? What was their conversations about? Did he sit with them a night around the fire? Did he tell stories about God and heaven? About the war that had been fought there? Did he strike up any friendships? He or another angel groups up again later. Did he stay with them all during their wandering? So how did the angel feel when he finally left them? Was he sad to go? We don't even know his name. Did he volunteer or pull the short straw for duty on Earth? Did he wonder for a moment why God was so wrapped up with these weak people? Or is that why he was chosen? And did he eventual come to understand?
Aaron's sister makes another appearance at the end of the reading, "Miriam the prophetess." She leads the women in celebration with a tambourine and dancing and song. She is a leader, enough of a leaser that her name and celebration are recorded. She will be mentioned again as one of Israel's leaders -- "I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam." (Micah 6:4) Even in so male-dominated a society, there are women who lead.
Twice now Miraim has seen the Lord use water to save. Her brother Moses is saved from death as a baby floating in a basket. And the people are saved from Pharaoh's army. And so she sings and dances and plays the tambourine. How sedate our celebrations for what God has done for us are in comparison.
No comments:
Post a Comment