Post by Mark on Jul 26, 2008 6:06:30 GMT -8
It isn't my nature to give titles to things that I write. Yet, if we were to encapsulate the message of this Parashah into one single phrase, it would be about "Living on the Fringes".
It is very much our inclination, at least in many circumstances, to join in to something slowly or to barely join at all, keeping one foot on the edge or outside so as to retain a sense of autonomy or personal control. There are lots of folks who are curious about our perspective of faith. There are lots of folks who are hungry to learn more; but they utterly unwilling to step inside. They will watch from the door, they'll invite us to talk and to share; but they will always make it clear that they and us are too different.
When we look at the geographical layout of the region, Midian is the populace that lived along the Jordan River on the East side of what was described as the Promised Land. Moab was to the South and separated from Israel by the Salt Sea. This is significant because Balak, the guy that called on Bilaam to curse Israel was the Moabite King. Though the Moabites and the Midianites made alleigance to compromise Israel's relationship to her God, the Moabites were left alone; while Midian was destroyed. This seems a bit unfair; but we're not told all of the story. There is a lot that is said that leaves us room to speculate. For instance, Bilaam was found in Midian when it was being conquered. What was he doing there? He was Assyrian, from way up North. One of the stories is that, since he had provided the Midianites with the means to undermine Israel, and thus responsible for the deaths of 24,000 Jews, he had gone there to collect his reward. Midian had demonstrated herself to be a devious neighbor. Were the Midianite culture to remain, all of the land would not be safe for Israel: the fringes could never see peace.
The decision of Reuben and Gad is never presented to us with a positive explanation that is believeable. There are a few sages who have suggested that their request to remain in the land of Midian was a declaration of faith to enlarge the Promised Land of the people. Most agree that the decision to stay on the East side of the Jordan was a selfish maneuver to distance themselves from the authority of the governing structure, to retain autonomy and to keep for themselves the "good land for pasturing" that they could see in plains of Midian. Incidently, the plains on the East side of the Jordan are really no better than those on the West, In fact, the mountainous terrain just North of this location is the area where David would go to hide from Saul and the base from which the Maccabeans would launch their attacks on the Syrian accupiers. The fringes are not a safe place.
If we look ahead to Joshua 22:10-34, we find that the physical barrier of the Jordan became a problem to the relationship between these tribes and the rest of Israel. There was a drifting away of the identity, and a distrust between them, that nearly cost them their lives.
To bring this idea to a personal level, the Parashah opens with the Law concerning personal vows and particularly the exceptional cases of vows made by daughters and wives. With absolute clarity, the
establishes the protective nature of the husband's and father's role over the spiritual welfare of the ladies under his care. Equally described is how the woman without a man in that role bears that responsibility for herself. If a daughter makes a vow and her father hears of it but says nothing, then the vow stands and she is obligated to carry it out. However, if that daughter becomes married, and the husband hears, he can dismiss the vow even though her father had retained it.
Here's the point. When we pass from one relationship to the next, in our spiritual journey or in this life, that passing has to be complete: no fuzzy borders, no living on the fringes. For me, long before these verses held any personal significance, this idea was shared with me during prayer as Adonai brought to my mind that great old spiritual standard by Paul Simon, "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover." I had attended the same church, been involved in ministry and leadership for sixteen years; and now Adonai was drawing me into a different understanding and different relationship with Him.
There are many folks who visit us and enjoy learning some different things about the Hebraic perspective of faith; but it is clear and without any sense of hostility or offense, they are on that side and we are over here. That's fine. I would never want them to make a decision based upon any pressure that I might exert nor even on our ability to logically convince them that this is the right way to grow in relationship with our Lord. These things are spiritually discerned and unless you are drawn by the Spirit of Adonai to be here, then you don't belong. But when the Spirit speaks to you and the conviction is clear, step across and come all the way in. Don't linger on the fringes. The resulting embattlement: emotional, spiritual and relational damage will be extreme and altogether unnecessary because you choose to hang on to two worlds which are opposed to each other.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
It is very much our inclination, at least in many circumstances, to join in to something slowly or to barely join at all, keeping one foot on the edge or outside so as to retain a sense of autonomy or personal control. There are lots of folks who are curious about our perspective of faith. There are lots of folks who are hungry to learn more; but they utterly unwilling to step inside. They will watch from the door, they'll invite us to talk and to share; but they will always make it clear that they and us are too different.
When we look at the geographical layout of the region, Midian is the populace that lived along the Jordan River on the East side of what was described as the Promised Land. Moab was to the South and separated from Israel by the Salt Sea. This is significant because Balak, the guy that called on Bilaam to curse Israel was the Moabite King. Though the Moabites and the Midianites made alleigance to compromise Israel's relationship to her God, the Moabites were left alone; while Midian was destroyed. This seems a bit unfair; but we're not told all of the story. There is a lot that is said that leaves us room to speculate. For instance, Bilaam was found in Midian when it was being conquered. What was he doing there? He was Assyrian, from way up North. One of the stories is that, since he had provided the Midianites with the means to undermine Israel, and thus responsible for the deaths of 24,000 Jews, he had gone there to collect his reward. Midian had demonstrated herself to be a devious neighbor. Were the Midianite culture to remain, all of the land would not be safe for Israel: the fringes could never see peace.
The decision of Reuben and Gad is never presented to us with a positive explanation that is believeable. There are a few sages who have suggested that their request to remain in the land of Midian was a declaration of faith to enlarge the Promised Land of the people. Most agree that the decision to stay on the East side of the Jordan was a selfish maneuver to distance themselves from the authority of the governing structure, to retain autonomy and to keep for themselves the "good land for pasturing" that they could see in plains of Midian. Incidently, the plains on the East side of the Jordan are really no better than those on the West, In fact, the mountainous terrain just North of this location is the area where David would go to hide from Saul and the base from which the Maccabeans would launch their attacks on the Syrian accupiers. The fringes are not a safe place.
If we look ahead to Joshua 22:10-34, we find that the physical barrier of the Jordan became a problem to the relationship between these tribes and the rest of Israel. There was a drifting away of the identity, and a distrust between them, that nearly cost them their lives.
To bring this idea to a personal level, the Parashah opens with the Law concerning personal vows and particularly the exceptional cases of vows made by daughters and wives. With absolute clarity, the
establishes the protective nature of the husband's and father's role over the spiritual welfare of the ladies under his care. Equally described is how the woman without a man in that role bears that responsibility for herself. If a daughter makes a vow and her father hears of it but says nothing, then the vow stands and she is obligated to carry it out. However, if that daughter becomes married, and the husband hears, he can dismiss the vow even though her father had retained it. Here's the point. When we pass from one relationship to the next, in our spiritual journey or in this life, that passing has to be complete: no fuzzy borders, no living on the fringes. For me, long before these verses held any personal significance, this idea was shared with me during prayer as Adonai brought to my mind that great old spiritual standard by Paul Simon, "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover." I had attended the same church, been involved in ministry and leadership for sixteen years; and now Adonai was drawing me into a different understanding and different relationship with Him.
There are many folks who visit us and enjoy learning some different things about the Hebraic perspective of faith; but it is clear and without any sense of hostility or offense, they are on that side and we are over here. That's fine. I would never want them to make a decision based upon any pressure that I might exert nor even on our ability to logically convince them that this is the right way to grow in relationship with our Lord. These things are spiritually discerned and unless you are drawn by the Spirit of Adonai to be here, then you don't belong. But when the Spirit speaks to you and the conviction is clear, step across and come all the way in. Don't linger on the fringes. The resulting embattlement: emotional, spiritual and relational damage will be extreme and altogether unnecessary because you choose to hang on to two worlds which are opposed to each other.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
