"We are in the presence of a lot of Moseses," Barack Obama said on March 4, 2007, three weeks after announcing his candidacy for President. He was speaking in Selma, Ala., surrounded by civil rights pioneers. Obama cast his run for the White House as a fulfillment of the Moses tradition of leading people out of bondage into freedom. "I thank the Moses generation, but we've got to remember that Joshua still had a job to do. As great as Moses was ... he didn't cross over the river to see the promised land." (Feiler, TIME) This past week; TIME Magazine had an incredibly astounding article discussing
how Moses from the Bible is a character often used to compare to U.S. Presidents. Author, Bruce Feiler called attention to several scripts siting George Washington and Abe Lincoln. He also noted that Superman, written by Jewish men, drew small similarities to Moses life as well as showed how Charlton Heston's The Ten Commandments reflected American government vs. European regimes.
What caught my attention most was the suggestion that perhaps President Obama should look to Moses, rather than Joshua, for a few leadership lessons. Feiler suggests, first, that the story of Moses is one of hope...that Obama must recognize that he needs "to sell the milk & honey." His suggestion is that it was the promise of what was to come that gave people courage to cross the Red Sea. I would go further to say, that this is a fine point but only matched w/ the fact that perhaps Obama should stop trying to BE the milk and honey- as such was promoted in his campaign. And people are finding, it's just not the case. He's one man who has to work w/in a system that isn't always going to give him what he wants.
Secondly the author states that Obama has "struggled" with responding to the immigration issue. He notes that in the "Moses story" there are a number of verses, in the Torah books, that refer the treatment and reception of foreigners. Feiler never suggests exactly
what Obama should do, but I gather that the point is he should not ignore the problem.
Finally, Feiler talks about Moses (and Obama's) "naysayers." Moses faced opposition, even his "birthright" being questioned, as Obama's. However, what Feiler noted was how well Moses stood his ground w/ the people~ and ultimately, Obama needs to do that same. In short? "Spine-up," which ironically has been a comment from both Liberals and Conservatives alike.
But continuing on, further than the article, for just moment: I find something else ever so interesting, something that really is just more of an observation than anything. Joshua, a name meaning "salvation" or "God saves," was a man that took the Israelites into the Promised Land. They conquered it and populated it~ it was paradise, so to speak. Many years later, a Man with a derived name from Joshua, did the same thing, for the
heart of mankind...gave them a way into "paradise"- a life filled w/ the beauty of "milk & honey."
I find it awkward that many people have hailed Obama as a "Savior." Oh, no, they won't say it that way, but did you notice how many Americans flocked to him as if he would be the answer to ALL the country's problems? Not only so, but the quote above indicates that Obama "accepted" this call. A bit presumptuous to put it lightly.
Ironically, folks, he thus far has not panned out the way it was all expected. While the U.S. has pulled from Iraq, Afghanistan is a mess, Gitmo has not closed down (yet), Health-care reforms are battling, unemployment has reached 9.8%, higher than it's been since the 1980s and several other factors. Granted, I'm
not suggesting the Obama can't succeed or won't. There's still a few years ahead. BUT what I am suggesting is that,
just perhaps, a Utopian society is not purposed for life on Earth- and that the U.S. still may have some wrestling in the desert to do. Obama must be ok with that and realize that you can't force water out of the rock just because you don't think it's going to come through due process (
Numbers 20:1-13).
The truth is: we still live in the freest country in the world, our elections are watched like hawks from foreign neighbors and while tough times are frustrating~ our leaders don't always have the flawless answers, but we will get through them. So the question becomes: are you ok with that?
After I raced to get the car back, trollied to the ticket counter and stripped for security: i boarded the aircraft with readiness and anticipation. Watching the sunset above the clouds was fascinating. Just seeing it made my insides smile.
*taken from my mobile phone*
