The encounter between God and Elijah at Mt. Horeb is full of
intrigue and challenging imagery. The
prophet has fled to the wilderness of Sinai, fearing for his life. Jezebel had not looked kindly on his
authorized slaughter of the prophets of Baal, and she vowed that within
twenty-four hours, he would join these others in death.
He
journeyed forty days and nights—an echo of Moses’ sojourn there, and a tithe of
the time Israel spent wandering—and arrived exhausted at the mount of God. Suddenly the word of the LORD came to him:
“Why are you here, Elijah?” He responds: “Because of my great zeal for the LORD
the God of Hosts” (1 Kings 19:10). Elijah goes on to tell the Holy One that he
is the only one left who has not bowed the knee to Baal, an admission that God
later corrects.
God
instructs him to stand on the mount where he might receive divine
revelation. Wind, fire, and earthquake
came in mighty display, but these were not the media of God’s disclosure,
albeit God had used each of these means on other occasions.
Then Elijah
heard another intimation of God’s presence, translated variably as “a soft murmuring” (NEB), “a gentle whisper”
(NIV) or a “sound of sheer silence” (NRSV).
Each rendering of the Hebrew suggests a numinous experience, which
transcends the capacity of human language.
Prompted for further encounter with God, he listens for guidance for his
next moves.
This past
Thursday I participated in an interfaith conversation with a Buddhist and a
Jew, scholars in their own tradition and widely conversant with the faith
practices of others. As we sought to
share the heart of our faith, I noticed how our words, even of our sacred
texts, could only go so far in describing our understanding of the infinite
being. Sheer silence may be most
appropriate.
Further, we cannot dictate how,
where, or when God will make the divine presence known. God was not “in” the familiar modes, and
Elijah waited. So, too, must we wait to
learn the myriad ways through which God is drawing near to persons who seek
such an encounter. I sensed a great
hunger among those who gathered for the lively exchange at Scarritt-Bennett,
and I was aware that a triumphalistic approach would sound a bit like Elijah’s
complaint to God that he was the only one who remained faithful.
God directs him to return by a
different route, anointing new leadership along the way, including Elisha who
will succeed him. God assures him that
there are 7000 Israelites who have not succumbed to idolatry; rather they
embrace the mystery of the unseen LORD.
Living in religious pluralism has
always been the challenge and opportunity for people of faith. Embracing mystery instead of easy certitude
will surely assist.
Molly T. Marshall
Central prepares women and men for
seeking God, shaping church, and serving humanity.
No comments:
Post a Comment