Always credit your sources
Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:
What did I like about today’s passage?
I love God’s sign given through the budding, blossoming staff of God’s ability to bring life and fruitfulness to his people, as well as making his will known on matters of leadership.
The priests had such an important role in Israel, specialising in closeness to God, fully relying on him and receiving offerings to God for food while not growing it for themselves. No wonder some people wanted this life and even argued it should be for everyone. God would indeed fill many more people with his Spirit and, in Jesus, we would all be called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” (1 Peter 2:9)
But first, for this to be meaningful, God needed to demonstrate through a few chosen priests the specialness of life close to him. They didn’t just need to obey special rules but remember that all of their power, responsibility and materials came from and belonged to God.
Unfortunately, this was Moses’ tragic failing when the people cried for water. Wasn’t it a miracle when he and Aaron used the staff God gave them and water came out? Not according to God. It seems that Moses and Aaron neglected to do the most important part of their role and point people to God at this critical time. God provided water, but when Moses and Aaron said "Must WE bring you water out of this rock?" they took the credit.
That seems really harsh to me, and I'm sure God judged what was really in their hearts rather than condemning them over getting a few words wrong, but it all goes to show the challenge for priests to be faithful to their purpose, keep trusting God and always point people towards him.
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
God is loving and generous, answering prayer and providing for his people, but he needs us never to forget that he is Lord. It was people forgetting this which led to anxiety, rebellion and death in the first place. God is still building his Kingdom where death will be defeated, and our involvement in this requires us to remember that our life is in him, rather than fool ourselves that we command our own divine power.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
This reminds me of when I made “Always credit your sources” my number one golden rule for work. Initially it was out of annoyance when people ripped off my stuff, but I grew to recognise what a huge difference it makes to credit others, including God. Do I still do this?
Who am I going to share this with?
People I work with, especially where creatives of all kinds (including God) don’t get credit.