Meat for the Hungry

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Before… THIS VIRUS …Stir up Your strength, and come and save us! Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! O Lord God of hosts, how long will You… ALLOW US TO BE …fed…with the bread of tears, and given…tears to drink in great measure. [1] Father God, we humble ourselves before You and ask You to lift us up with Your righteous right hand. [2] Only You can stop this plague. And although we, as sinful people, have no right to ask because we deserve it, we ask anyway leaning on Your great and everlasting love. [3] Lord God, you have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, [4] and Your desire is that NONE should perish, but that ALL would come to REPENTANCE. [5] Therefore, Holy, holy, holy God, Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! [6] …we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and se...

The blinding stream of light swept across the courtyard. It wouldn’t return for another five minutes, I had it timed perfectly. Lying flat on my belly, head raised, forearms in position and toes dug in, I began an army-crawl across the compound. Inching toward a hole in the wall, something grabbed my ankle chains. I kicked to break free, but to no avail. Pain shot through my arms as I lugged my body toward that hole. Freedom was twenty yards away, but this thing held me back. With each pull forward, I’d be yanked back two. “Let me go!” I whisper-shouted. “No way!” it cackled. “I’m not guilty! I’m innocent I tell you. I must break free!” “You can’t, you will never be free!”

Ruth 1:1 :   “Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land…” Think for a moment about what you would do as a farmer, a husband, and a father of two ailing sons, when no rain has fallen for a year or more. You have a good size field, but crops don’t grow without rain. Irrigation would be an alternative if water weren’t so scarce. You’ve sold everything of value except your field. But, even if it were to rain this moment, it would take months for crops to grow. How did drought and famine happen in a place whose names literally mean “House of Bread and Praise”? Moreover, how can you let your children and wife die of starvation? Today you take your final trip to town where you will fight the crowds and use the little money you have left to buy a meager food ration. Still, this will last only a short time and then what. What would you do?

Seriously, are we still talking about the undrinkable water at Marah? Yes, and I’ll tell you why. This miracle marks the beginning of Israel’s new life, as the cross marks the beginning of our new life. After their symbolic death and burial, three days later Israel emerged from this grave and the bondage of Egypt, to face toxic water. Drinking poisonous water would send them back to the grave forever, so they complained against Moses and he cried out to the Lord. This grace-filled God heard their cry and ended their pain with Tree-healed, sweet water. Even though the bitter waters of Marah may have represented Israel’s attitude, scholars believe they also signify life’s “bitter” trials.