The portion for this week includes the account of Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron. Balaam had been unable to put a curse on Israel by means of divination. He recognized that Israel could only be cursed by means of judgment due to their own sin. He advised Balak to tempt the Israelis by sending Moabite women into the camp of Israel (Numbers 31:8 and 16). Obviously, many Israelis sinned in this fashion which brought quick judgment by the hand of G-d. 24,000 men of Israel died. Pinchas intervened by killing an Israeli man, Zimri, and a Midianite woman, Cozbi. Because of the zeal exhibited by Pinchas, the plague was stopped. G-d rewarded Pinchas with a covenant of peace due to his zeal which he exhibited. An important lesson to be learned from this event is that an elect person functioning in G-d’s purpose cannot be cursed by means of divination. Personal sin will bring judgment but no one should embrace fear due the perceived threat of curses being exercised .
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the account of the prophet Elijah and his encounter with G-d at Mount Sinai. Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel the wife of Ahab, king of Israel. He fled to Mount Sinai. We think of Elijah as an awesome and fearless prophet, but we see that he possessed very common human traits. After the powerful confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel, he was threatened by Jezebel. Now we tend to expect our hero to stand up to this threat, but, instead, he ran for his life. Later James would write that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (James 5:17). This we understand all too well. Indeed, Elijah ran about 200 miles south to Mt. Sinai. We recall the Word of the L-rd to Joshua ben Nun saying; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the L-rd your G-d is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Evidently, Elijah had forgotten this exhortation. Nevertheless, Elijah was sustained by angels along the way, so we know that the L-rd had not deserted him.
Eventually, Elijah arrived at Mt. Sinai. At this point, the Word of G-d came to the mighty prophet; words that I’m sure he did not want to hear. G-d asked His prophet, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah’s excuses did not satisfy the L-rd, yet, we see that G-d’s grace was still extended to him. He commanded him to “Go forth and stand on the mountain”. G-d would reveal Himself to Elijah in a very important way.
We know the account concerning the “great and strong wind”. After the wind, an earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire. These are some of the manifestations which had occurred at Mt. Sinai some 700 years earlier when G-d revealed Himself to Israel in the days of Moses. Yet now, G-d was not in any of these manifestations. At this point Elijah heard what is translated as a “sound of a gentle blowing”. Another version translated it as a “still small voice”. The Hebrew expression is still more instructive – “kol demamah dekah” or a “small, silent voice”. This was the Word of G-d in the heart of Elijah. Again, G-d asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah’s career in this space-time frame was ending. He was commanded to anoint the next generation of leadership; Hazael in Damascus, Jehu ben Nimshi in Israel and Elisha as a prophet in his place. But his earthly ministry was ending. We are not told if this was due to his fear of Jezebel or perhaps his incorrect assessment of his countrymen in that he thought he was the sole remaining man faithful to G-d in Israel. Whatever the case, his career was ending.
Yet, G-d had a place for Him in the future. G-d declared to Malachi, “Behold, I am going to send to you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the L-rd.” (Malachi 4:5) We read in the Gospels that Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus and revealed G-d’s plan for His death in Jerusalem. I expect to see Elijah functioning in an awesome way when the Kingdom of G-d is finally established.
This should bring hope to each of us who are aware of our human shortcomings. G-d’s mercy still prevails in spite of our weaknesses. We have hope for the future. Paul wrote, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (I Corinthians 15:19). The Psalmist wrote, “Before the L-rd, for He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth, He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness” (Psalm 96:13). G-d will yet rule (judge) over the “unruly” human community.
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