Moses and GPS

The cartoon reveals a young boy and a young girl sharing a pew (presumably on Sunday morning). With Bible or bulletin in hand, the young boy says to the young girl, “Moses could’ve really used GPS.”

I love cartoons. I love to laugh. Most cartoons are intended to make one laugh or chuckle or put a smile on the heart. In addition, and this is what makes cartoons clever, they make us think or they reveal a truth about who we are as people. For me, good cartoons cause me to laugh and then make me go, “Hmm . . .”

I recently ran across this cartoon in my congregation’s March newsletter. After the initial humor I thought that this is really appropriate because our Affirmation of Baptism class is studying the book of Exodus right now. Then I got to the “Hmm.”

Certainly, many people have a mental image of Moses leading the people of God aimlessly through the wilderness for 40 years until they finally reached the promised land. This cartoon relies on that image.

I would maintain, however, that Moses really did have GPS (God’s Presence Sustains). God did not abandon God’s people to wandering aimlessly for 40 years. God was fully present with the Hebrews as a pillar fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. And wherever God’s presence went the people would follow. So the people were led by God to wherever God would have them be. God was fully present with God’s people. (The truth is: it is the same today!)

Yet God’s presence was there for more than guidance and protection, as if that wasn’t enough. God fully provided for the needs of the people and thus sustained them throughout this journey. God’s people needed food and God provided manna and quail (throughout the entire journey). God’s people were thirsty and God provided water. God’s people needed direction and God led them. God’s people needed to know that they were loved and God provided the teachings of how God loves them and how they were to love God and each other in return.

Moses really did have GPS (God’s Presence Sustains). God was fully present with God’s people and that presence provided for their needs and sustained them in God’s own loving ways. In Jesus Christ our God reveals the same providing, sustaining, loving presence for us today. I find great comfort in that. Our God is truly with us, Emmanuel.

Thoughts?