One Among the Many
And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:5 NASB
If– Avivah Zornberg frames our persistent question: “How can an individual count? The children of Abraham are to be like the sand on the seashore, or the stars in the heavens—these are the analogies that God makes in the course of His promises to the patriarchs. Numbers means survival, power, blessing. But they also carry an undertow of melancholy, as each of us becomes a grain of sand, less than a speck among the immensities of the heaven.”[1] This is the question of the ages. Do I really make any difference?
In her commentary on the book of Numbers, Zornberg makes this telling remark: “The book of Numbers is a narrative of great sadness, in which the midbar, the wilderness, swallows up all the aspirations of a generation—people who experienced the Exodus, the Revelation at Sinai, and the creation of a sanctuary for God.”[2]
When we consider the story after the exodus, we realize that all those who experienced God’s direct manifestation at Sinai, who heard His voice and saw His presence in the wilderness journey—all of them—died! They were all turned to specks of sand in the vast desert. Their personalities were lost. No one knows them anymore.
The wilderness is God’s home. But it is the place where human beings cannot survive, where they are consumed by the emptiness. Man cannot live in this place without the direct sustenance of God. “Is this the very nature of the midbar—the unmarked surface on which no human trace is visible?”[3] We should respond, “Yes.” In the wilderness, we disappear.
God’s promise to Abraham contains a hint of this dissolution. “Count the stars.” But, of course, the idea is that they are so numerous you can’t count them. So how does any one of them really make any difference? What of the tens of thousands of followers of YHVH through the centuries whose names have long been forgotten? Yes, there are a few heroes of the faith, but you and I probably aren’t one of these. We are part of the millions who will fade from the pages of history, disappear into the sand or be lost among the stars. What about us?
“If you are able,” says the text. In that tiny word, “if,” creates the dilemma. Do we as individuals really matter? We would like to think so, but the course of biblical history might suggest otherwise. A few make a difference; the rest are absorbed into nothingness. Even John’s proclamation, “For God so loved the cosmos,” doesn’t really include us as individuals. Once more, we are stuck with the question of the ancients. Do we really count in the vastness of eternity, the true wilderness of creation?
You and I are but infinitesimal dots in this immense cosmic play. Somehow we are swept into the plans and purposes of its Creator. But like corpuscles in the bloodstream of life, perhaps our real purpose is to be found in the identity of the many, not the individual. Perhaps “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” is a Western invention.
Topical Index: if, stars, multitude, purpose, plan, wilderness, midbar, Genesis 15:5
[1]Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, Bewilderments: Reflections of the Book of Numbers, p. 13.
“Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean, and the pleasant land” (Julia A. F. Carney). Oops; that would be the Western view. One drop of water or grain of sand: what are those – BY THEMSELVES? BUT, as an essential part of the land or ocean they participate in forces and functions far beyond themselves. They are an essential, functioning part of the cosmos. The function of the ocean and the land make the little pieces as important as the whole: the whole gives to the pieces all the vitality and purpose of itself. Little grains and drops do not ‘give’ ‘purpose’. That’s backwards! On the contrary, the better connected they are to the whole, the more purpose and function they get to enjoy.
The chapter of 1Cor. 3 is about pieces of the Corinth Body trying to establish relevance as discrete pieces, distinguished by their DIFFERENCES from each other. Paul disabuses them of this notion by reminding them that their relevance was in how well they were resonating with the Body as a WHOLE. He reminded them that the only enduring parts of our character are those built on the foundation head of Christ. We are ‘important’ to the extent that we are participating in the importance that we are to Him. How is He able to use us today in His Body? That’s where our little temples – sacred spaces for His Holy Spirit to dwell – are reproducing His image in us: not where we are attempting to reproduce our own image.
I suppose quantity may come to mind if we are sourced by a singular understanding. I have wondered what was seen by those who in that time looked up and gazed at the objects that lit the night sky. Job 38 might lend a thought…
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Maybe those descendants will sing together as they are stars.
So what is a star?
You might be surprised.
I choose to be part of the many. I believe that in my little portion of the world I exist for a purpose. Without that, without knowing that I am part of something much bigger than myself but at least my faith and belief in YHVH helps me on a personal level throughout each day. Yes I may be a particle of sand but it beats not being counted among the sand and the stars.
Rabbi Eric
Skip! Thank you!
The realization we will soon be forgotten is hard to swallow after we have worked so hard all our lives to achieve something. I only have a Mrs. and Mother degree, nothing compared to you, Skip. Solomon and all His splendor reduces his life to, “Vanity, it is all vanity.”
Being as intelligent and successful enables you to see what we don’t at times but the one thing I know is, “He KNITTED ME!” Have you ever tried your hands at knitting? I encourage you to try to make a small potholder to put His love and care to create You into a corner of your mind.
As we keep on going this I know, “Trust in the Lord and do good.” He is a rewarder and soon you, too, will look in the eyes of the Master whom You have loved and served and receive your reward.
A childlike heart is the hardest part to do because our minds never shut up; always reasoning with an unsatisfied hunger to learn. It’s ok to tell your mind to shut up and go play, learn to knit and enjoy the life He has given you.
I have not read any teachings we have to know it all or do it all. As you are simplifying your life,
Count it all joy! Laugh like a child again and look for the great expectations for today. May something wonderful happen to you today so you know His love and concern for you. He will never leave you or forsake and certainly will not forget you. Your hairs are numbered and so our our days. So let His peace rule and reign in You! If not, return to your closet and shut the door and you will find Him waiting to be one with you.
My reaction is far less humble and mature as these others. So if I don’t matter, what is the point? Why do I seek to please God if I don’t matter? This is my struggle many days. I search for meaning in my existence but then wonder does God really have a “plan” for my life. I recall the times that you have written about making our own plans when God it really the one in control and are we willing to let go and let God so to speak. You have also said that everything we do effects both the cosmos and eternity no? Maybe I read into the things you write meaning that was not there. I don’t know anymore… As lost and as frustrated as I was at 19 yrs old. How can that be? How is it even possible to put so much effort into learning and growing and changing and feel utterly lost and sometime paralyzed by the real possibility of the hopelessness I fear. How, I wonder do people who have far more challenging lives than I continue on? I agree with qōheleṯ many days all is vanity and a little drink and good food is the best we can hope for. Maybe that is not what he meant either but that is how I hear him.
He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. But, He has breathed in us the breath of life and we are not to question our worth because we are of more value than many sparrows and He cares about sparrows. We are living in a culture that leads to hopelessness. We are spending less time in nature and our diets don’t contain good nutrition. We are exposed to chemicals and messages that are destructive to our well being. We have inherited lies and trauma. No wonder we feel hopeless! I try to choose life in what I eat, what I think, and what I do. I pray the Psalms out loud and I find it helps. I really work hard to stay in the moment. I read things that inspire me and I make an effort to look at beautiful images. I daily ask God to help me bring hope and encouragement to someone. I use essential oils. I hug people and buy fresh flowers in the winter because Michigan is cold and gray for months. I try to do active things that I enjoy. I set goals that I can actually achieve and work towards them. I remind myself that God has not given me the spirit of fear. He has given me a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. These are some of the things I do to battle the things you have written about. Yeshua did not sugar coat the life of a disciple, but the church sure did. He did tell us, though, that it would be worth it. He has provided so many things for us to enjoy throughout our lives. I think He wants us to experience the wonder of being alive too. Maybe the best that we can hope for is that we bring the Kingdom of the Holy One to those we love.
Theresa I also know you I remember you I saw you at The store we are neighbors I see the same things you do I choose life in the food I choose life and the things that we watch I choose to see life and other people his image his reflection it’s my reflection it’s us looking into our own eyes do we not see God working in a drawing of calling us wing us to himself silently without words in a little flowers someone is said somewhere no manure no milk no pain no pleasure no bitterness no sweetness there cannot be light without darkness at least in this world temporary be glad to be glad Shalom shalom shalom amen amen ??
Cheryl I know you you’re my sister we walk the same path at 19 as we do it this present age many mornings I wake up and before my eyes are open I feel the despair and darkness I wonder what did I do wrong in my thoughts turn to the only one who can help me I go vertical as I stumble out of bed and put my feet to the ground and try to get my balance I drink a little water to wash the parched throat and I drink more and then I sit and ponder the next step as Skip has said somewhere first we must stumble over the Torah over gods things before they can begin to build our life upon that corner stone yes life has much darkness and we see glimmers of light and hope like a bagger searching for bread in the dumpsters of life we find a little morsels that satisfy us as skip it said some red wine a little food the sunshine the fresh air a light rain or downpour the flowers stream or river and eagle flying I’ll confirm to me love unconditional love a little child’s face even remembering the life of the one that I took bitter and sweet sorrow and hope confrontation and comfort Cheryl you were loved Skip you were loved all of us are loved look into the eyes of a stranger consider the orphan the poor the homeless the attics we don’t have to go far do way broken pieces put back together mended torn lives stitched together what a wonderful life just to be alive blessed be his name
If we feel insignificant as a child of the Most High God, perhaps the enemy is trying to do a number on us.
1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are. The world does not know us because it does not know Him.”
Too many answered prayers, answered in a way where without any shadow of a doubt Abba heard and answered to believe that except for a few we all just disappear into nothingness.
I take Him at His word. He cares far more about each one of us than we can even imagine. Unfortunately we try to figure out the Source of all things with our human brains- probably why we all get stuck
sometimes.
My thought/question right now is, the Exodus generation died in the wilderness because of their disobedience. If they hadn’t doubted/disobeyed, would they have died in the Promised Land?
Trying to send this once again…
From a metaphorical perspective,
stars shine because of nuclear fusion reactions in their core. The more luminous they are, the more reactions are taking place in their cores. Massive stars live shorter lives than the common small stars because even though they have a larger amount of hydrogen for nuclear reactions, their rate of consuming their fuel is very much greater. (From astronomynotes dot com)
Life as we know it is directly related to all the activity happening inside our closer star, still like all others, one day it will die too.
I like to think that I am able to bring light to others; that somehow I can spark someone else’s life so he or she can shine by himself. That happens because all the internal reactions, struggles and changes in paradigm that are continually fighting in my very own core.
As you thought us few weeks ago, the blessings need to be shared; so we are worthy to receive more and to give them back again and again.
I am grateful that you are not holding on the blessing, and that you are willing to share your light to me and to this community. All the “nuclear reactions” happening in your very own core, are all “necessary” to bring more light to the Word and to our own little worlds. Thank you Skip for all you do :-))
As I get older, I find that I do not need as many answers as I thought I once did. Particularly after my fall down the stairs, punching a hold in the door with my head nd suffering a concussion, the question of why am I still alive lays in my lap. But I did survive, sort of, and will accept it as part of my life. I stopped trying to understand it all, all the time. Life I accept as a gift and I will enjoy it as a gift.
Oh Roy, you express my own thoughts so well! I am much more able to enjoy the blessings and even simply see them we I am not obsessed with needing to understand it all, all the time 🙂
Roy, sorry for your fall. It sounds serious. Having personally suffered 4 TBI’s in my 67 years I may be considered an “expert” in head trauma, at least in my own head. My warning is to not take it lightly. My last fall, a year ago, is a case in point. The ER did an X ray which showed no major problems, but because my headaches and light/sound sensitivity did not lesson they did an MRI a few weeks later which showed a blood bleed where my head hit the slippery wet tile. They also discovered a cyst, of unknown origin and duration, in the center of my brain. There is nothing they can do for either, but it is good to know, if for no other reason, to know how to better pray. My best wishes and fairest prayers.
Lazarus counted !
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