28: GRIZZLINGS, GRIPINGS, & GOINGS-ON

Based on EX Ch.15 - 18...Read  more there (N1)

Moses sings about the great victory God has won for the Hebrews [15:1+] Or was it his sister Miriam [15:19+] who's the lead singer? (N2) Miriam seemingly springs from nowhere, as has brother Aaron a while back. Despite the victory, the Hebrews soon return to being misery-gutses! As they continue their round-about migration towards the Promised Land they complain about the taste of the local water [15:22+]. Inspired by YHWH God Moses sets about fixing that, probably using local knowledge & the local remedy. Then comes a shortage of food. This time YHWH provides quail & a mysterious 'bread' they have to go out & gather. This 'bread' comes to be known as 'manna' [16:31] which seems to mean, 'What is it?' No-one has ever satisfactorily explained the 'manna', but whatever it is is far lighter, even, than the stuff baked full of air by many of today's poorer bakers! (3).  Although the 'Sabbath' has not been formally legislated yet - that will happen in Ep.29 - we're told the people gather a double amount of 'manna' on the 6th day so they have no need to break the Sabbath. The principle is already being established of time set apart for God. When we're told the Hebrews eat this 'bread' for '40 years' we're simply being told it was for a very long time.

The next complaint [17:1+] is about the lack of water. Under God's guidance Moses deals with this too, this time by striking a rock with his now famous staff. This 'water of life' event become a symbolic moment for both Hebrew & Christian believers & is likely another 'combined view' of natural & supernatural ways of looking at things as maybe Moses' earlier years in this wilderness pay off once more through his knowledge of water sources. (4). Think of water diviners who've contributed to identifying water sources in Australia.  

In [17:8+] we have the first of what will be continuing & increasing skirmishes between the migrating Hebrews & tribes already occupying lands they're travelling through or will later occupy. This time it's the Amalekites, of no particular significance for our story, but raising deeper questions like some raised today, such as, 'Who or what gives people the right to travel through, or threaten other people's borders?' Or even, 'What are borders?'  If there's an ancient theological angle here, exploring it may help us broaden our understanding & responding to challenges to borders today by current new style migrations by those fleeing food & water shortages, persecution, civil & other wars, economic hardship &c, seeking a better life.

In a 'blast from the past' Moses' Midianite father-in-law Jethro (Ep.23) re-appears on the scene when the Hebrews near Mt. Sinai. Jethro has heard of Moses' & the Hebrews' exploits & comes to visit, bringing Moses' wife, Zipporah, whom he seems to have divorced (5), & their sons. None of these feature in future events. Jethro gives Moses good advice about setting up a leadership structure for the people, which Moses does [18:17+]. This will stand them in good stead as the emerging nation grows & takes new directions. 'Converting' to follow YHWH as the true God, Jethro then goes back to Midian. It is unclear if Zipporah & her children return to Midian with Jethro. What happens next is another story. 29: All Heaven Breaks Loose. 

(N1) As usual we are dealing with a compilation from several sources conflated into one account. (N2) Though this song isn't in the book of Psalms it's of the same genre. If you're up for it, try singing it. Psalms have always been for singing. (N3) Another description of 'manna' [NB 11:4-9]  describes it as looking like gum exuded from a tree. 'Bread of heaven' has also passed into Christian Eucharistic spirituality. (N4) A different description of the same event appears at [NB 20]. (N5) Zipporah being 'divorced' could be an attempt to explain her omission from Moses stories, or a later addition to 'cover' Moses in days when intermarrying with foreigners had become forbidden.

Question: If Moses can learn such an important lesson from his then 'pagan' father-in-law, Jethro, could we be open to learning from a wider field of people than we may currently do?