We bought a deli container of 500 lady bugs from our local garden store, and over the weekend, released them in our front yard. We decided front yard vs. backyard, because we didn’t want our chickens (‘the girls’) to feast on them. The rest of our week was filled with playgrounds, a trip to the botanic garden, and the nature playscape, three swimming lessons, a pediatrician appointment, the installation of our new cooktop, and piano lessons. The sabbath was a much needed and appreciated reprieve from the laundry, and the cooking, and the packing and unpacking of the minivan.
If you can believe it, this is our final week with the book of Numbers, or in Hebrew called Bemidbar, meaning “in the wilderness.” It was a wild journey, that’s for sure. Today is yet another double parsha, where we talk about vows and promises, laws concerning murder, women’s rights to inherit. It also goes through the narrative of all the stops the Israelites took from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Promises promises
Chapter 30 opens with a bang, “If a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath imposing an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips. He shall not break his pledge — (30:03).” This is truly excellent wisdom, as it emphasizes the importance of your words. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for word is Devarim, which is the next and final book in the Five Books of Moses.
Interestingly, thinking about an oath does not count as an oath, it’s the pledges and oaths that are stated out loud that must be fulfilled. Which stresses the importance of the golden rule: think before you speak. Words are incredibly powerful, they have the magical ability to build up a persons self esteem, and just as quickly, can tear someone down into despair – words have the ability to either heal or hurt. I think a lot about the copper snake from a few parshas ago. It seems like so much of life, here on earth, are two sides of the same coin.
Perhaps that’s why this passage immediately made me think of my husband. One of the qualities I admire the most about my husband is that he is a man of his word. When he says he is going to do something, I know that I can count on him to follow through. Which can sometimes feel foreign, as I did not grow up with adults who shared that value, the value of keeping a promise, I grew up in a land of constant broken promises. I work incredibly hard to emulate my husband, rather than what comes second nature to me, which is not following through. I believe in the 12+ years we’ve been together, that I’ve gotten so much better at this, especially once we added children. Because I, of all people, know first hand that not following through on ones word isn’t great for a child, it doesn’t provide the right type of soil for a child to thrive in. Anyway, long winded way to say, that the scripture in chapter 30 sat heavy on my heart, and gave me an even deeper appreciation for my husband, and for the type of household our children are raised in.
Destination vs. the Journey
Chapter 33 documents each and every stop the Israelites made on their 40+ year journey through the wilderness. I’ve always imagined that the Israelites were constantly traveling, never in the same place for more than a week or so, but it turns out that I’m very, very wrong. Most of their traveling occurred in the first and last few years. With only 20 stops in between the remaining 38 years. Also, these tribes are enormous. It would’ve been a logistical nightmare to constantly pack up and be on the go.
What I appreciate about this chapter is that it teaches us the importance of gratitude, yet again, which can only be created by remembering each step of our journey through life. Another golden rule, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. And oh my goodness did the Israelites have a journey to talk about and be grateful for. Not sure they’d see it that way, especially in the moment. But maybe there were a few good eggs in there who could look back and appreciate that God sustained many, many people in inhabitable places for many, many years. To be able to give their future generations a life of freedom, to carry on Gods will. But hey, you and I have been with these people, reading about these people, for the better part of year now. I’m sure you and I both know that many, many more transgressions are coming down the pipeline (Prophets, anyone?), and it simply shows God’s mercy and heart. God is good. Even when we’re not. See you next week for Devarim.
Meanwhile. “Mother, where are the ladybugs?”
