Introduction: God, Land and Nation
Alywn Thomson

Comment: Re-routing and Redemption
David McMillan

Protestantism - Negotiating the Future
David Porter

A Discerning Hope
Derek Poole

The Promised Land?
Elizabeth Porter

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RE-ROUTING AND REDEMPTION
Israel had spent years in the wilderness and Moses had reached the lowest point in his career. At Kadesh, contrary to God's instructions, he struck the rock saying "listen you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" (Numbers 20.10) The action was wrong and the inference was wrong - it was God who was doing the providing. not Moses and his magic stick! The judgement on Moses and Aaron was swift and severe. The leaders of God's people are not granted exemption from the rules.

From Kadesh Moses sent messengers to the King of Edom explaining their situation and requesting permission to walk The Kings Highway the main arterial and trade route from the Gull of Aqaba in the South to Damascus and beyond in the North. The King of Edom was less than accommodating. Walk this route and we will attack, was the reply. Moses repeated his request "We will pass peacefully, we will pay for anything we use - even the water." A second time the reply came back: No! - this time accompanied by a show of force.

And so "since Edom refused to let them go through their territory. Israel turned away from them" (Numbers 20.21) It was not the Israelites fear of Edom that led to such a compliant re-routing. for a short time later they took on the King of Arad, completely annihilating this Canaanite people. It was, instead, that following the incident at Kadesh Moses had again learned to fear God - the God who had declared: "Do not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived as an alien in his country." (Deuteronomy 23.7)

Some 450 years had elapsed since Jacob had first gone to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan. 500 years of history, culture and religion now separated the Israelites and the Edomites from the time of the brothers Jacob and Esau, their forefathers. Yet Moses is not about to take any chances. God's rules are rules. The indignity, the inconvenience and the unreasonableness are secondary.

Not everyone was happy with this re-routing. "They travelled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go round Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses...Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them: they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you... ' (Numbers 21.4-7) The Israelites discovered that God's people are not granted exemptions from the rules.

It is not the parallels between our situation and that of the ancient world that are of concern - it is the significance of the principles. God means what he says, and exemptions are not granted despite indignity, inconvenience and unreasonableness. Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12.31). If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12.18). Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing (1 Peter 3.9). Submit to the governing authorities; he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves (Romans 13.1-2). God's rules are rules and exemptions are not granted - even to leaders.

It is only in the mercy of God that this sorry incident becomes one of the most powerful symbols of redemption. The very instrument of judgement is transformed into the symbol of healing and forgiveness: "Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived." (Numbers 21.9.)

Isaiah saw the parallels between the bronze snake and the cross, "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples: the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious." (Isaiah 11.10) Stretching beyond its time and context the incident was powerfully depicted in the lifting up of Jesus on the cross when the place of judgement became the place of redemption (John 3:14:12:32).

The Evangelical community in Northern Ireland, now more than ever before, must ensure that the gospel is not compromised by allegiance to tribal politics, ancient hatreds or sectarian violence. Loyalty to Jesus, obedience to the Word and the fruit of the Spirit must be the hallmark. "Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming lire." (Hebrews 12.28-29)

David McMillan