Not Quite Enough
“But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me; and the LORD said to me, ‘Enough! Speak to Me no more of the matter.’” Deuteronomy 3:26 NASB
Enough! – Was God fair to Moses? Before you put on your theological-correctness hat, does this declaration from God seem consistent with His character? Does YHWH say that He is first and foremost compassionate, merciful and long-suffering? Then why treat Moses so harshly? What’s really going on here?
We have looked at this verse before. We mentioned the problem recently. Certainly we can supply justification for God’s verdict, but it still seems rather difficult to imagine God being infuriated by Moses’ request. Maybe we need to take a different approach to this verse.
The Hebrew phrase here is rab lak. Our translation expressing irritation seems to be the result of the LXX’s rendering with the Greek words ikanoustho soi (“let it be sufficient for you”) and the Greek verb arkeo (to be enough, be sufficient). But the rabbis saw something else here. They interpreted the idiom rab lak as an exhortation to be content, not simply a prohibition against further discussion. In other words, they viewed God as saying, “Be satisfied with this, Moses, for I am not delivering you over to the angel of death but rather, I myself will be with you.” The rabbis argued that the same structure is seen in Genesis 17:1 where Abraham is instructed to be content with walking with God. The Genesis Targum Onkelos actually changes the verse from “be perfect, blameless (tamiym)” to “be shalom (at peace).” Clearly the rabbis were not comfortable with the emotional outburst version. The rabbinic Midrashim focus attention on the expectation of hope and gain rather than on the disappointment of unsatisfied objectives. Moses is about to enter into a permanent and unmitigated fellowship with YHWH. Why should he not be joyfully content? Rather than an emotional outburst of frustration, YHWH answers in character, with compassion. “Moses, be content. I will be with you.” This is hardly punishment!
Perhaps this little exercise in translation perspective teaches us a simple lesson. God never deviates from His character. When we find ourselves reading a text that seems quite extraordinary concerning the character of YHWH, maybe we need to take a step back and ask if we haven’t blurred the text because of our perspective. In this case, perhaps Moses’ faithfulness is actually being rewarded, his mistakes included in the overwhelming grace of God. Perhaps there’s a lesson here that we need to absorb. God is good – always. Even when it seems as if He is being harsh, by looking a little deeper we discover one more manifestation of grace.
Topical Index: Moses, Deuteronomy 3:26, enough, rab lak, content
This is very much in line with 2Cor.12:9. The same harshness could be projected on God, Who seems to be unwilling to lift Paul’s burden. But no: His grace is more than enough for Paul to bear the burden!
“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” — Luke 12:48
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to G-d.” (Romans 14.12)
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1.5)
“And remember, I am with you each and every day..” (Matthew 28.20)
Moses heard from G-d. Moses receive the word of G-d and then acted accordingly. He did what YHWH commanded, (including picking up a snake by the tail!) Moses was willing to listen attentively and then carry out the explicit instructions of Elohim. “Strike the rock.” He obeyed. “Speak to the rock”- He failed, and struck the rock instead.
Listening, listening,- did Moses forget what G-d had said? We have. The failure of Moses is the same failure of Adam, and every man since. We do not “shema” the words of ADONAI. We do not listen and we do not obey. Epic, widespread failure, -all have sinned and come short of the glory of G-d.” Is there any perfect man among us? Who is without sin? – Only ONE, perfect, sinless Man that I know of, the LORD Yeshua (who is the) Christ (the Annointed ONE), G-d Incarnate.
His words to us are the same words He spoke unto Moses and unto his successor- Joshua. “As I have been with Moses, so shall I be with you.” “Behold, (look)- I AM with you- always.” In good times? yes. In “bad” times? Yes. He is. With us. Right now- right here, -right on time- forever. Is this good news? Is this “gospel?” Friend, “it is written.” His Name shall be called “Immanu El”- which being interpreted is? “G-d with us.” His words (again?)- “I AM with you- always.”
Is this an “eye-opener?” Or are we (once again..) sleeping right through it. What are the words of our Master? “I AM the LORD- I do not change.” (Malachi 3.6)
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if Someone rises from the dead.'” (Luke 16.31) Uhh.. excuse me? -Didn’t Someone rise from the dead? And should we listen to Him?
“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” — Luke 12:48
Perhaps the words stenciled on the rearview mirror should read: “God is not always what He appears to be.” Appearance has less to do about the One viewed and more about the perspective of the viewer. What is your perspective today?
So true! We oftentimes attempt to fashion YHWH into the form of another god, especially when He doesn’t fit into the category of who we perceive Him to be. I must admit, I have been found guilty of this, and therefore I praise Him for His grace and His patience with me. Perspective…how we need the mind of Christ! One way only, through His Word. Unadulterated, steadfast, true and everlasting…John 14:6
Excellent “observation” brother Roderick. Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure and one man’s treasure is another man’s trash. How many times in the scriptures have we been invited to “behold.” Not a casual, furtive glance, but a careful, fixed gaze. “Look.” “Behold, the Lamb of G-d” (I believe) is the Master Theme of G-d’s book.
Perception is not reality. There is such a thing as “Fool’s Gold”. Yes, -all that “glitters” is not gold. But G-d has promised, (has He ever lied?)- “if you seek for me with all your heart- you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29.13)
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:13-14 ESV)
Not all that is good, profitable, beneficial, or righteous will glitter, sparkle, feel good, or appear attractive. Am I willing to set aside my “take” and place my trust in the Torah of the Beloved, despite how He or what He has provided looks like? Or, will I continue to insist I know better. “Going along to get along” has the same intoxicating, mesmerizing affect. It’s called “group think”.
Someone once said, (I think it was written in a book somewhere)- “we walk by faith, not by sight”. (2 Corinthians 5.7) Too many of us are “sight-seeing” and not “faith-walking.” According to instructions written for us in this book are the words: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4.18) “Hey!- what are you lookin’ at?” “Nothing..” “Good!” lol!
His ways are NOT our ways, and His thoughts are NOT our thoughts. (Isaiah 55.8) We need to come around to His way of viewing things- another word for this might be “repentance.”
There is nothing at all stopping us from praying, “not my will but Thine be done.” Amein.