1.28.26 – Celebrate Diversity Through Unity

In the Torah portion this week, Beshalach, we see a desperately needed theme appear where the Israelites recognize the importance of loving, caring for, and treating one another with respect, and maintaining unity in their confession of obedience to their Savior and Deliverer who has redeemed them through the blood of the Lamb and guided them to the place where they would learn obedience (Ex. 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:2).

Prior to this mindset, however, the Israelites had to learn to trust God! I know that sounds strange, but it is true. They knew that He was a man of war (Ex. 15:3), but could He be trusted to be there for them in times of crisis (Ex. 17:7)? And would He be a provider for all their needs on the journey that He was leading them in?

So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"
(Ex. 17:7)

By remembering where they had been and taking inventory of where they were, the Israelites were able to make a declaration that anything He said, they would do (Ex. 19:3). That is what trust will do! It allows you, without reservation, to put yourself in the hands of another, knowing that everything they instruct or lead you in is for the good (Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20). Israel had to recognize, as Moses did, that God was able to empathize with their pain, able to deliver them from their enemies, and able to bring them to their destination (Ex. 3:7–9; Deut. 6:23–25).

Moses trusted God, but it would take a series of experiences—from the Passover, to the sea (Ex. 14), to the bitter waters of Marah, to the refreshing wells at Elim (Ex. 15), the quail, the daily provision of manna (Ex. 16), and the victory over Amalek at the watering hole of Rephidim (Ex. 17)—before they came to the same conclusion. But once that conclusion was realized, they were able with one voice (kol echad) to confess their allegiance: whatever He said, they would do (Ex. 19:3).

Their trust in God opened up their hearts to receive instructions on how to live their lives with one another in peace and the tools necessary to overcome obstacles of personal conflict (Ex. 20–23).

Once God laid out the fundamental judgments (mishpatim) toward one another, the people agreed 100% with all that He said they would do (Ex. 24:3), even if they did not understand the full meaning of the commandments (Ex. 24:7).

One of the challenges that we face in the world is moving forward in unity toward a common goal while possessing different understandings of how to obtain the end goal. The trouble of this reality has created Republicans vs. Democrats, Black vs. White, North vs. South, East vs. West, sibling rivalries, and thousands of denominations within evangelical Christianity.

People argue over creed vs. deed, philosophy vs. action, hearing vs. doing. While modern-day religious systems have their divisive theologies, the Torah's design was to emphasize an approach to life with community action, which manifests itself in behavior—living a life dependent on loving one another. It is about community in action. It is about bringing God into our collective lives. His instructions are the architectural drawings of harmonious behavior. And that collective diverse unity creates national pride (Ex. 19:3–8).

How we serve God collectively and how we understand (v'neishmah) individually are two separate things. They can be divisive or they can create diversity! It can be a sunrise with multiple colors or just a blue sky. It can be Rembrandt or a piece of colored construction paper. Each of us will see life from a different perspective and with different understanding. Our thoughts are private. Our actions are public!

As we move through this week, I pray we will celebrate diversity while unifying under the One True God/Elohim of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Live colorfully, Echad!

Shalom,
Alan

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