Ashen Shadows Cast by a Fire of Celebration
by Alexander Wendeheart
San Francisco Theological Seminary Senior Student
Psalm 95
Hear this psalm in a different way, as a blessing told by refugees lost in the desert (vv. 1-7a). They are nomads about to arrive in the land of their ancient forebears, encamped with great anticipation of a new land and new lives. This short psalm is a faint echo proclaiming God’s genesis of the world and the exodus of a forlorn people. It speaks of their suffering for many, many years and the loss of an entire generation. Imagine this short psalm accompanied with celebratory fireside music praising God with joyous dancing, drums beating, tambourines shaking, while flutes and lyres are being played.
But also imagine the rest of the psalm (vv. 7b -11) recited by Moses as he crosses to his tent while shadows of the celebration fall ashen upon its walls. Aged and tired, Moses continues this psalm as a prayer while remembering all their endured struggles, all of his tested leadership, and all God’s grace that guided them to this place. Listen to Moses’ dust-strained voice as he prays with undertones of fear that this new generation will err in heart too in these new surroundings.
Hear Moses praying, sense his head tilted back with his eyes closed, fearfully thinking that the faith of God’s people, previously distracted by wanting, will now be distracted by having in a foreign land. Listen to how difficult it is to bless these people who in time may not regard God’s ways as their ways. Can you feel his words dry and crumble in his throat, caught in a prayer of anger at the old ones who would never change, showing they would never be ready for a new land? It is woven with a prayer requesting forgiveness for waiting for their deaths, before crossing the threshold to receive the promise. Listen for hints in his voice of solidarity, knowing he too will not see the Promise, for his own death is imminent.
Lent is a time to focus upon whether we participate in God’s work as blessing. The people of the Hebrew Bible journeyed out of a place of nothingness to a new land of promise. They brought with them the joyous celebration of being saved. They brought with them a tempered faith. Remember that God walked the path with them, as God continues to walk along side us now
Let us remember our struggles along our life’s path,
knowing that God’s intention is to bless us in the end.
