Quarreled (Saint)

 . . . the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord . . . . 

 - From Exodus 17

There's a big controversy in Exodus 17, which started when the Israelites had to go some time without water. At every step, so far, God had directed them. He got them out of every bind. He performed miracles, when necessary, to keep them safe and out from under the iron hand of Pharaoh.

But the water got scarce, and soon the grumbling began. The grumbling turned into full out quarreling. They were arguing with each other, they ganged up on Moses. They began to threaten violence. 

Scarcity is a fact of life in human society. Even the wealthy have some level of concern about losing it all, and ending up in squalor. We get so concerned about having enough stuff, that it effects our treatment of others. The anger we feel for each other becomes a challenge to our very faith. It's hard to lean on God, with a chip on our shoulder. 

When God is being tested; when faith is weak; when people get angry . . . we find people quarreling. 

Is there strife? Is there anger? Is there violence? Do not expect God in those scenarios. 

Oh, but someone protests: "What about Jesus in the Temple? What about His anger at the Scribes and Pharisees?"

Moses had anger, too, against Pharaoh. But his anger was measured. Our view of Christ in the Temple moment, is of Him in a manic rage, pretty much out of control. But we're projecting too much of ourselves onto Him when we think that. His response was more like the controlled play-acting of a teacher, feigning anger to a classroom, in order to get a certain result, or to get their attention. You can appear angry, while being in full control of your faculties. Jesus was not triggered, much as we would like to think of it as such. 

The scenes being played out in the streets of America right now, are too angry and out of control, to be confused for acts of God. 

Yes, justice is needed. It has always been needed, and always will be. And until Christ returns we will continue making progress on it, in His name. But our factions and divisions bespeak a separation from God, as much as from each other. 

We quarrel among ourselves, because we are testing God. Be still, be silent, be a servant . . . and draw near to Him.