Moses and the Israelites - Day 7

Good evening everyone. I'm very happy to see you all back here for another day of this workshop on Moses, the Israelites, community building, lessons, and leadership. We talked last time about beginning this week with the Ten Commandments and also building the Tabernacle, and how the people wanted God to be present with them in their community. Through building a Tabernacle, God said He would dwell among them, and they would feel and experience His presence in the camp. Now they've settled down, completed what they needed to do, and set off on the march towards Canaan. On the 20th day of the second month, the second year after they left, the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai, traveling from place to place until a cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. They set out for the first time at the Lord's command through Moses. Just before setting out, Moses said to Jethro, his father-in-law, 'We're journeying to the place of which the Lord said,

The people expressed their desire for meat, and God granted their request, but not without consequences. They were provided with quails, which they caught and roasted, leading to a month of feasting. Meanwhile, Moses found himself in a difficult position, feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders to assist him, decentralising authority and sharing the burden of leadership. When the Spirit of God rested upon these elders, they began to prophesy, demonstrating the impact of shared leadership and the importance of support in times of struggle.

Moses, feeling disheartened, witnessed the elders prophesying and realised that he was indeed making a difference, even if he felt otherwise. This experience resonates with many of us; we often question our impact on the world and wonder if our efforts are in vain. I recall a moment from a few years ago when I attended a 60th birthday party. A woman approached me, and I recognised her as a child I had once worked with in South London. She shared how my kindness had profoundly affected her life, especially during a difficult time when she faced mistreatment from others. It was a humbling reminder that our actions can leave lasting impressions, even when we are unaware of it.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I remember a challenging time when my wife fell seriously ill due to brain tumours. During her recovery, a former member of the movement reached out to me unexpectedly. She had been part of CARP years ago and, despite our long separation, she offered her support during a critical moment. This connection proved invaluable, as she helped facilitate care for my wife and provided assistance to my son during a stressful time. It was a powerful reminder of how the relationships we build can come back to support us when we need it most.

As I navigated my wife's health challenges, I realised that many people I had touched in the past came forward to help us. It was as if God had orchestrated these connections, bringing forth those who had been positively influenced by my actions. I had often wished I had made more friends, feeling shy and reserved in social situations. However, over time, I found myself becoming more open and friendly, which I attribute to a prayer I had made asking for more connections. This transformation allowed me to engage with others more freely, and I began to see the impact of my presence in their lives.

Teaching workshops became a significant part of my life, and I often wondered if I was making a difference. Years later, former students would reach out to express their gratitude, reminding me that my efforts were not in vain. This experience parallels Moses' journey; even great leaders like him can feel discouraged and question their influence. It is essential to acknowledge those who have impacted our lives, as expressing gratitude can uplift and encourage them in ways we may not fully understand. A simple thank you can mean the world to someone who has dedicated their life to serving others.

As the Israelites journeyed to Hazaroth, we see another challenge arise. Miriam and Aaron criticised Moses, questioning his unique relationship with God. The Lord responded, reminding them of Moses' humility and the special way He communicated with him. This incident highlights the importance of humility in leadership and the dangers of criticism. Despite Moses' challenges, he remained a servant leader, demonstrating that true leadership is rooted in humility and a willingness to serve others.

Great leaders are often very humble. They do not seek to associate only with the most important people; rather, they enjoy spending time with ordinary individuals. For instance, Jonathan Sacks once mentioned an event attended by Prince Charles, where many Jewish leaders were invited. Despite the presence of numerous dignitaries, Prince Charles chose to engage with the young security guards, who were mostly volunteers. This act of humility and genuine interest in those without significant status impressed Sacks, highlighting that true leadership involves caring for the well-being of the most humble members of society.

Moses is described in the Bible as a very humble person, embodying this principle of leadership. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, they were not merely following Moses; they were also establishing enduring structures necessary for the community's proper functioning. Jethro provided valuable advice on delegation and the establishment of a judicial system, ensuring that as many people as possible could participate in governance. This concept of separation of functions, which we now refer to as the separation of powers, has its roots in this period.

The prophet Isaiah articulated the nature of God by stating that God is our judge, lawgiver, and king. This biblical understanding suggests that only God can rule alone, while human governance requires a division of powers. During the Enlightenment, thinkers like Montesquieu advocated for this separation within government, proposing distinct branches: judiciary, legislature, and executive. This idea emerged from biblical teachings, as those who read the Bible recognised the need for an independent judiciary, a separate legislature to create laws, and an executive to enforce them. The roots of this structure can be traced back to the biblical tradition.

The importance of separating powers cannot be overstated. When one individual attempts to assume the roles of king, lawgiver, and judge, it often leads to tyranny and corruption. The saying 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely' underscores the necessity of distributing power. The king must operate within the framework of the law, unable to create or break laws at will. Similarly, the legislature should focus on crafting sound laws without interfering in the executive's responsibilities. An independent judiciary is essential for administering and applying laws fairly.

The Divine Principle discusses the concept of separation of powers, aiming to prevent the concentration of political authority in a single individual or institution. This principle rejects the notion of absolute power, asserting that governance should reflect a balance of authority. From the time of Moses, the separation of powers was intended to characterise the political structure of an ideal society. God envisioned a society where, following the fall, institutions would evolve to maintain this separation, ensuring that as communities grew, they would establish structures that promote fairness and justice.

Human history illustrates the lengthy struggle to achieve this balance. For much of history, societies have been ruled by dictators or monarchs who believed themselves above the law. It is only in recent times, particularly in the 20th century, that the principles of liberal democracy began to take hold in Europe. The ideal governance structure, akin to the harmonious functioning of the human body, requires the legislature, judiciary, and executive to work together under divine guidance. Just as the heart, liver, and lungs have distinct roles yet cooperate, so too must these branches of government interact in a principled manner.

The Divine Principle also highlights the role of the people in governance. Political parties must listen to the electorate, acknowledging the outcomes of referenda and respecting the will of the people. The saying 'the voice of the people is the voice of God' emphasises the importance of public opinion in discerning divine will. However, it is crucial for the populace to be well-educated and guided by their conscience when making decisions. This ensures that when citizens vote, they do so with a sense of moral responsibility and divine guidance.

The vision of a good society aligns closely with the democratic ideals that have developed over the past few decades. However, challenges persist, as some politicians resist the limitations imposed by a system of checks and balances. The struggle for power often leads to attempts to operate outside the law, threatening the integrity of democratic institutions. Nation-building, particularly after periods of conflict, is a complex process that requires careful consideration of laws, customs, and traditions. The evolution of political culture is gradual, often taking hundreds or even thousands of years to establish a stable and just society.

Moses himself passed nothing on to his children or grandchildren. However, when there was a king, the next person to become king would usually be from within the king's family, typically the eldest son if he was the most qualified. This system exists to prevent conflicts over succession. If the king dies and there is uncertainty about who will take the throne, it can lead to fights between different families, each vying for power. By limiting succession to one family, the likelihood of conflict decreases, leading to a more peaceful society. Countries have established various rules of succession to ensure a smooth transition of power from one generation to the next.

In Britain, the monarchy operates in a way that the king or queen stands above politics. While there are numerous political parties, the monarch represents the entire country. In contrast, in a presidential system like that of America, the president represents only the people who elected them, which can create a divide. The president is often focused on the next election, making it challenging to represent the whole nation. A monarch, however, has no specific constituency and is therefore more inclined to engage with people from all parts of the country, ensuring that various communities feel included and represented within the royal family.

The current Queen of England has been in her role for over 60 years, which brings a wealth of experience and wisdom. She has met every American president since Franklin D. Roosevelt and has interacted with leaders from around the world. This extensive experience serves as a reservoir of knowledge that can be drawn upon in times of political turmoil. Even when governments face chaos, the monarchy remains a stable institution, providing continuity and a sense of tradition. This evolution of the monarchy over the past 150 to 200 years has resulted in a system that, while not perfect, has its advantages.

In Britain, there has not been a complete separation of church and state. Henry VIII declared himself the head of the Church of England, which means that the monarch is also the head of the church. This intertwining of roles is significant and may need to be addressed in the future. Within the religious sphere, there is also a distinction between priests and prophets. The role of the priest involves conducting ceremonies and rituals, often passed down through generations. This dynastic role ensures continuity in the practice of faith, with priests learning from their fathers and grandfathers.

The priest's role is one of routine and tradition, focusing on maintaining the sacred order. They conduct rituals and ceremonies without innovation, ensuring that the practices remain unchanged over time. The priest wears robes that signify their role, acting not in a personal capacity but as a representative of the sacred. In contrast, the prophet is called by God and does not inherit their position. Moses was the first and greatest prophet, and he foretold that God would raise up others like him. Prophets are chosen by God and often respond reluctantly to their calling, as seen in the stories of Isaiah and Jeremiah.

The authority of a prophet is charismatic, drawing people in because they feel that God speaks through them. Unlike priests, prophets do not hold titles or positions of power; they come from various backgrounds and are called to deliver God's message. Their authority stems from the connection others feel to God through their words. Many individuals, including those present today, may have experienced a calling from God, similar to my own journey. I had not planned to teach the Divine Principle, but one night, I felt God saying, 'I miss you.' This prompted me to reconsider my path and ultimately led me to teaching.

Initially, I was hesitant to respond to this calling, as I had a full-time job and was not actively involved in church leadership. However, I decided to explore opportunities within the church, starting by observing a Sunday school class. I sat quietly in the back, absorbing the teachings without introducing myself. Over time, I became more engaged, reflecting on how I could fulfil the calling I felt from God. This journey illustrates how individuals can be called to serve in unexpected ways, often leading to a deeper understanding of their purpose.

I was really nervous at first, thinking about teaching a Sunday school lesson. I decided to give it a go, and I ended up teaching every Sunday for ten years. Gradually, I became more involved in teaching, and eventually, I found myself in America a couple of years ago. It was a journey of taking one step at a time, responding to what I felt was a calling from God. I worked my way up from being a Sunday school teacher to teaching people all over the world. Looking back, I realise that God was preparing and training me all those years, guiding me to the point where I could teach effectively.

The prophets, as described in the Hebrew Bible, had no uniform; they were just regular people standing on street corners, preaching and teaching spontaneously. Their vocabulary was one of justice and compassion. The main concern of the prophets was justice, and throughout the Hebrew Bible, they consistently spoke about it. God provided the Mosaic Law to guide how people should treat one another, particularly the widows, the poor, and strangers. If these principles were violated, the prophets would speak out against the mistreatment of those who were vulnerable.

The prophets were social critics, holding religious leaders to a higher standard because they represented God. If these leaders became corrupt, it could lead people to lose faith in God. In modern society, we may not find many prophets, but the role of the prophet has been taken up by newspapers that expose corruption in politics, business, and religion. Their job is to speak truth to power and keep people honest. When the media fails to do this, society suffers. Unfortunately, we often see the media acting as handmaidens of power, supporting specific political agendas rather than critically examining policies, especially during crises like the coronavirus pandemic.

This brings us to the importance of teamwork in leadership, where the focus is on a God-centered team rather than a leader-centered one. The executive, legislature, and judiciary should all be guided by God, living a spiritual life and listening to their conscience. This leads to cooperation and harmony. A key teaching from Moses is to love your neighbour as yourself, which originates from the book of Leviticus. Moses instructed not to hate your brother in your heart, as it is easy to develop resentment when someone hurts you. Instead, he encouraged us to reason with our neighbour and express our feelings honestly.

When someone does something hurtful, it is crucial to communicate that to them. If you remain silent and allow resentment to fester, you are the one who suffers. Often, the person who hurt you may not even realise their actions were wrong. By addressing the issue directly, you give them a chance to apologise and restore the relationship. If you do not speak up, the relationship may remain broken indefinitely. Moses emphasised that we should not seek revenge or hold grudges, as this only damages ourselves and our relationships.

Criticism can lead to hatred if we do not address wrongdoings. Moses urged us to intervene when we see someone behaving badly, as failing to do so makes us complicit. This principle applies to all relationships, whether between a disciple and a teacher, a child and a parent, or a prophet and a king. Each has a responsibility to challenge and hold the other accountable. Following one's conscience is paramount, even if it means risking one's safety or position. It takes courage to speak truth to power and to stand up against wrongdoing, but it is essential for a just and good society.