Rabbi Cliff Maynard
Shemot
The parasha (portion) of Shemot (Names) covers much of the life of Moshe (Moses). We see him from the time he was an infant all the way to an old man in the beginnings of his leading the people of G-d. There is just one small part of this portion of Scripture that I want to focus upon this week.
The reason I want to focus on this single point is to hopefully eliminate the thought process of many believers that I think is well-meaning, but nonetheless incorrect. Also, in doing so, I will hopefully snatch away some of the undue credit Ha Satan gets!
Let’s read Exodus 4:10-14,”Then Moses said to the L-RD, “O my L-rd, I [am] not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I [am] slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 11 So the L-RD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? [Have] not I, the L-RD? 12 “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” 13 But he said, “O my L-rd, please send by the hand of whomever [else] You may send.” 14 So the anger of the L-RD was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.” (NKJV)
We see Moshe doing what so many of us do so naturally, and that is to shy away from something and blame one of our own perceived shortcomings, whether physical or other. The clear and obvious hinderance in the mind of Moshe was the fact that he was slow of speech, or heavy of tongue. We don’t know exactly what his trouble was but it would seem clear that it was some sort of speech impediment.
It is not so much the self-doubt or sense of inferiority that Moshe seemed to suffer from, but something a little different that we will look at. That is the response of G-d.
Somewhat similar to the retort G-d gave Job in their famous exchange, G-d answers the man’s question with a question of His own. Point number one is that HaShem is always, without exception, completely in control of all things. There is nothing that escapes His notice. There is nothing He cannot do with us, in us and through us if we choose to walk in emunah (trust).
Point number two are the words of G-d Himself. He doesn’t say I know what the enemy put on you and I will work with that, or heal you first in order for you to be adequate to fulfill your purpose in this life. Nope! Not at all! In fact, He actually takes credit for creating the eye and the ear and the tongue and for making them work properly as well as for when they DO NOT!
Uh oh! This presents a bit of a problem from our humanly perspective. Rightly so…I mean, after all we are only human and understanding the divine is not an easy task. Suffice it to say that before the beginning of the world as we know it, G-d had a plan. In that plan every consideration was made for every possible outcome of every possible choice every person would ever make. Amazing to say the least!
We are reminded by Yeshua (Jesus) that we are to consider the Lilies of the field and the sparrows of the air. The sparrow doesn’t sow or reap but the Father takes care of their every need and we are further reminded that we are so much more important to the Father than these birds! Well then, doesn’t the Father know I need my sight? Doesn’t he know others need their hearing and still others need their ability to speak, or walk or you can just fill in the blank with any other maladie you wish. The answer is of course He does. The deeper truth is that because he knows we need these things and the world perceives people such as these as weaker or somehow incomplete that the Father chooses the weaker vessels to demonstrate His divine control, authority and even His love for all of us in and through these things.
This is not to say that the Father won’t heal those pleading for healing. We need only look to the Brit Chadeshah (New Covenant) to see men and women who were afflicted with various problems that were afflicted for the very purpose of showing the compassion, love and healing power of the Most High!
It is only in the fulness of time that we can know the final outcome for each believer what will come of their afflictions. Even if healing does not come, we are assured that our lives will be filled with purpose and full of meaning and G-d will always show his glorious love and strength in and through us. It is only our job to trust and walk with Him until we receive healing, or are rewarded in Shemeim (Heaven).