Scripture Reading: Numbers 20
Brief
outline of the chapter: The Israelites face significant challenges during
their journey in the wilderness. Miriam, Moses’ sister, dies and is buried at
Kadesh. The people complain about the lack of water, leading God to instruct
Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water. However, Moses strikes the rock
twice in frustration, resulting in water flowing out but also in God’s decision
to deny Moses and Aaron entry into the Promised Land due to their lack of
faith. Later, the Israelites request passage through Edom, but the Edomites
refuse, forcing them to take a longer route. Aaron dies on Mount Hor, where his
priestly garments are transferred to his son Eleazar.
Lessons
from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
The commentary
focuses on the Scripture verse: “Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the
king of Edom-“Now let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field
or vineyard or drink water from any well; we will go along the King’s Highway,
not turning aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through
your territory.”” (Numbers 20:17)
When purified
of passion, an individual can navigate the ‘foreign path’ (the worldly
life) without succumbing to any worldly distraction by strictly following the
Lord's commands. It is easy to lose direction while travelling, and such a journey
can be perilous, similar to navigating a narrow pass between two steep cliffs.
Hence, the Scripture guides us to avoid deviations to the left or right (“do
not turn aside from any of the words that I am commanding you today, either to
the right or to the left” (Deuteronomy 28:14)) and to maintain our course
on the ‘hard road’ (St Matthew 7:14).
St. Gregory
explains that virtue lies in the mean, or the middle ground, between two
extremes. For example, courage is the mean between cowardice and rashness.
Wisdom is described as the mean between shrewdness and simplicity. Our Lord
teaches- “so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (St Matthew
10:16). Neither the serpent's wisdom nor the dove's simplicity is commendable
if chosen alone.
As the
Scripture teaches- “whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1
John 5:19), and such world devoid of virtues is foreign to the follower of
Christ. The journey through such world is safe if one adheres to the “highway”
of virtue, avoiding the byways of evil.
Questions
for Personal Reflection:
In my Lenten journey thus far, what are the biggest challenges that I
faced in maintaining my spiritual focus? Are there specific distractions or
temptations that often lead me astray? In what areas of my life do I feel
vulnerable, like a sheep among wolves? Are there role models in my life who
exemplify the balance of wisdom and innocence, and what can I learn from them?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E. Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 120-121. HarperCollins Spiritual Classics series. (Original translation published by Paulist Press, 1978).
Disclaimer: The content presented here is a paraphrased summary based on my reading and understanding of the book cited above and is intended solely for educational and devotional purposes during Lent. They are not intended to replace the original work or represent the views of the author or publisher. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original book for a comprehensive understanding
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