«Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us?» (Numbers 16:13).
During the rebellion initiated by Korah, two ringleaders of the conspiracy—Dathan and Abiram—refused to appear before Moses to resolve the dispute. Instead of talking to him face to face, they sent an insolent but very revealing response: «Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness» (Numbers 16:13). They described Egypt, the land of their slavery, in the same words that God had used to speak of the Promised Land: «l have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt. . . to a land flowing with milk and honey» (Exodus 3:17). After witnessing so many miracles in the wilderness, how was it possible for Dathan and Abiram to describe Egypt in such words? Because, although their bodies were free, their minds remained enslaved and chained to the past.
Freedom requires responsibility. Since they were slaves in Egypt, just property of their masters, the Israelites were not accustomed to the responsibility of their own lives or to trusting in divine provision. Their masters mistreated them, yes, but they also fed them. There was some certainty in that abusive and toxic relationship. Theologian Rousas Rushdoony, in his commentary on Numbers, wrote, «At this point, Israel looks like many modern societies: it wanted all the advantages of slavery and freedom at the same time. Slavery . . . offers security, while freedom demands responsibility and is full of risks. A slave mentality will distrust God’s freedom.»
There are aspects of our lives in which we cling to the past, not because it is better than God wants to give us, but because it demands less risk and personal responsibility. Today I invite you to leave behind the mindset of a slave, to unlearn bad habits. Accept the freedom and responsibility that God offers you today!
Lord, please renew my mind. I want to get out of mental slavery and receive freedom in Christ. I accept my responsibility in this process. I’ll go wherever You lead me!
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
