Torah Tidbit
Parashah Beshelach (in his sending out), Exodus 13:17 – 17:16
Pharaoh chases after Israel and washes out. Israel expresses its new comprehension of God’s ways (song), then resumes the trek into the desert. Israel whines for food, God buries them in quail, then daily delivers manna. Israel cries out for water, God has a small river flow out of a big rock. Amalek attacks, is repulsed and Israel is to always remember their existence will naturally push back against the attitude Amalek exemplifies.
Hashem said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to Me? Speak to the Children of Israel and let them journey forth! And you – lift up your staff and stretch out your arm over the sea and split it: and the Children of Israel shall come into the midst of the sea on dry land. And I – behold! – I shall strengthen the heart of Egypt and they will come after them, and I will be glorified through Pharaoh and through his entire army, through his chariots and through is horsemen.” – Exodus 14:15-18
Walking the Walk
The Israelites were pinned with their back and a side against the wall, the sea on the other side and Egypt closing in for a frontal assault. God purposely led them to this position to both tempt Pharaoh to attack and then destroy his army. However all of this could only happen because Israel had now begun earnestly growing an active relationship with God. They had passively received most of the plagues, but starting with the 10th plague (firstborn), God required them to take action before the miracle would be accomplished. To walk out of Egypt into the desert was itself an incredible step in growing towards Him, but here was a new opportunity.
There are several moving parts to this miracle and God sounds a bit like a quarterback in the huddle calling out the play, getting everyone involved in the miracle – “Israel! You break right and go straight into the sea. Moses! You break just left of center up that rock, lift your staff and split the sea. I’ll push the line forward and hold (no penalties for holding in this play) the army and then let them follow you into the sea. Break!!”
Moses communicates the plan to the leaders, the leaders move the people towards the sea, God moves the cloud pillar to the rear and Moses lifts his staff. But nothing happens. The sea isn’t parting and the Israelites stand frozen on the shore. Painful moments of quiet dread slowly mount up when Nachshon of Judah strides forward into the sea, his body disappearing with each step, doing exactly what God directed. Just as his chin disappears into the water, the sea suddenly explodes back from him, revealing 12 huge valleys of water, one for each tribe to walk in.
And so goes our relationships with God, if they’re healthy. Continually cycling between mental growth (prayer, study, contemplation) and physical action (improving how we live our lives), both aspects feeding growth in the other.
From the Founding Fathers
In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. – Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention
No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of Events and of the Destiny of Nations than the people of the United States…And to the same Divine Author of Every Good and Perfect Gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land. – James Madison, 1815