Bible Challenge Day 52: A Holy Nation (Numbers 10-11)

At last the Hebrew people are leaving Mount Sinai! As they move out, they are organized by tribe, under designated leaders, all placed around the ark of the covenant. The order of their march has an important symbolic value. When they left Egypt, the people were a disorganized mob, leaving so quickly that they did not have time to let their bread rise, much less organize themselves. When they arrived at Mount Sinai, God called them to be “a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). But it was not true yet. Fifty-eight chapters later, as they leave Sinai, they have become a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. The law is the gift from God that makes the transition happen.

But the transition to a holy nation is not yet complete. Moses has trouble leading the people, so God calls others as prophets to share the leadership burden. Joshua is jealous of two of the new prophets on Moses’ behalf. And Moses says that he wishes all of God’s people could be prophets (11:29). Fast forward several centuries. The prophet Joel repeats that hope: “Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days I will pour out my spirit” (2:28-29). But still it remains a hope not a present reality.

Fast forward several centuries more, to the first Christian Pentecost. The Holy Spirit comes on the demoralized followers of Jesus, and they speak in tongues so that “devout Jews from every nation under heaven” understand their proclamations of God. Peter stands up to interpret what is happening, and he refers back to Joel, with the addition that all are prophesying (Acts 2:17-18). At last, Moses’ hope has been fulfilled and God’s people really are a holy nation, through the work of our risen Lord and the Holy Spirit. What the law began has been fulfilled.

 

Unfortunately Christians have not been able to sustain this vision of a community of prophets, all in communion with God and with each other. But in our reading for today, and in the events that it anticipates, we at least catch a glimpse of what God invites us to experience more fully.
Fr. Harvey