Filed under: Thoughts of the Week
This week, we read about the struggle for privilege (Numbers XVI-XVIII). Korah, of the tribe of Levi, already the ruling class of priests and Tabernacle servants, and two from the tribe of Reuben, the oldest son and by rights who be the among the ruling class, formed a discussion group. They then demanded of Moses and Aaron why they made themselves the princes of the community, when the whole congregation was to be considered holy. In response, Moses created a contest that would be decided by the Lord – Korah and his followers would bring their censers, their fire-pans, and the Lord would decide who would be the leaders. Moses reminded Korah that he already had a place of privilege in the community. Moses asked the sons of Reuben why they are not satisfied, he had never taken even one ass from them.
At the showdown, Korah and those that still stood with him, and their families and possessions were swallowed up by the ground and their fire-pans were melted and later used to cover the altar. The people ran in fear from the scene, but on the next day, demanded to know why Moses and Aaron had killed the people of the Lord. The Lord sent a plague that was stopped when Aaron intervened using fire pans. Still the remaining people needed another sign. The Lord asked that each tribe place a rod at the tent of meeting. The rod of the chosen man, tribe, would bud. Aaron’s rod, representing the house of Levi, was the only rod to bud, bloomed blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.
The reading continues with the Lord telling Aaron about the privileges and duties of his family as priests. They were to be landless, that their portion in life would come from being the Lord’s special group and from the offerings brought by others.
Since yesterday was a new moon, we read a special reading from Isaiah (LXVI) that closes
“And it shall come to pass, That from one new moon to another, And from one sabbath to another, Shall all flesh come to worship before Me, Saith the Lord.”
The reading discusses the benefits and privileges of being believers and the destruction that comes with those who rebel against the Lord. Verses 7-9 includes a statement on nation-building, asking if “a land is born in one day? Is a nation brought forth at once? For as soon as Zion travailled, She brought forth her children.”
Korah and the rebels, b’nai mari, the children of rebellion, were frustrated by not having the privileges of leadership. Mari may be a word connected to bitterness, frustration. By chance of birth, by effort, by just luck, people get into situation when they are seen to be privileged, having more than others, by others. One may enjoy the lot that she/he has received or strive for more. Often, this struggle for more comes with the demand to those seen to be more privileged to share more.
We have privileged lives here in Willimantic. We are generally not affected by random acts of violence or theft. We have more than enough to eat and a home that shelters us in the cold of winter and the heat of summer. My family presented me with a hammock for my birthday and father’s day so that I might rest more in our garden.
I am very much aware of our privileges in life, gotten from effort but mostly from luck. Do we share enough with others? What more can we do to share our bounty? How might we help others who want more of a share of a peaceful, plentiful life? How might we learn to be content with all that we have and not strive for more, if it would bring pain to others?
The new moon of summer is arriving. The days continue to lengthen and the earth continues to gather the warmth of the sun and the occasional rains of passing storms. On my 55th birthday, I am thankful for all that I have and mindful that others should also have lives of contentment and not struggle. That is my task – to learn to share and to point the way to others so that they might also be contented with all that they have.
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