James Leroy Wilson's one-man magazine.

Monday, June 06, 2022

The Consequences of Anger

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means.. Let's see where this takes us! 

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Numbers 19

If there is symbolism in this chapter, it's lost on me. I'm sure mixing water with a sacrificed heifer won't produce a sanitizing cleansing agent. I suppose it's because the heifer is "without blemish" that its purity symbolically cleanses those who are in the vicinity of the dead. As if saying, "this dead person's body is now redeemed."

Numbers 20

An eventful chapter in the life of Moses. First, he loses his sister Miriam. Then, he disobeys the LORD for striking a rock with his staff to yield water. The LORD tells Moses he won't lead the people into the promised land. Israel is turned away by the King of Edom. Finally, Moses loses his brother Aaron.

I recall being taught that by striking the rock, Moses gave the appearance that he, not the LORD, unleashed the water. The odd thing is that Moses had previously struck a rock to yield water before, at the LORD's command, in Exodus 17.

Ever since his contests with Egyptian sorcerers, it's been apparent that Moses was a wizard and had a magic staff. There were times when its power was displayed before the Israelites to keep them in line.

It probably wasn't in striking the rock that Moses disobeyed the LORD; he may have thought that was what the LORD meant. Rather, it is that Moses and Aaron acted out of personal anger. If you react emotionally according to present circumstances, your days are numbered.

I found it interesting that the Israelites were denied passage by the King of Edom. Edomites are descendants of Esau. Although Esau and Jacob had reconciled, Esau had chosen to mix with the Canaanites, descendants of Ham. The Israelites are the descendants of Shem.

Ham represents the base, material self. Shem represents spirit. Edom refused to let the "spirit"  pass through, even temporarily.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily MiraclesThe Daily Bible ChapterJL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)

No comments:

Post a Comment