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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Anger (01/24/05)
The fury of the blood-strewn swords reflected the rage embedded in the eyes of both brothers. "You defiled our sister!" Simeon's accusation soars above the women's screams as they watch the slaughter of their husbands and sons.

The men of the city realize too late that the covenant had been a deception. The pain of circumcision still fresh, their resistance is futile.

One man of the city remains alive. The brothers lust for revenge cannot be satiated while he still holds breath in his body. His heart, pierced by desire for Dinah, takes its final beat pierced by the sword of her brother Levi.

*******

The old patriarch leans his frail body against his weathered staff. Bursting with the Spirit of prophecy, Israel summons his sons from the swirling Egyptian sands. Through eyes dimmed by time he peers out at the twelve men standing before him.

"Simeon, Levi, come near!" the intensity of his voice an echo of strength. "Cursed be your anger!" Israel thundered. "Your self-will has revealed your violence."

*******

A deliverer of the nation Israel, born to the house of Levi, is filled with indignation. Another cry for vengeance reverberates across the desert. Raising his arm of flesh, Moses spills the blood of the Egyptian. The vast desert sands are unable to hide his sin.

*******

The smoldering mountain crest warming his back, Moses descends through the thick darkness. The rugged terrain, trembling at the terror of God's presence, is unsteady beneath his feet. Newly born stone tablets, birthed by the hand of the Almighty, are cradled protectively in each arm.

Moses' song of praise shatters the silence. "Merciful Lord, deliverer from Egypt's bondage, you are a mighty God of war! With the blast of your nostrils the depths of the sea stood at attention, guarding the path of your redeemed. At your command the waters charged and our enemies sank like stones.

"Now the perfect Law of holiness, inscribed by the finger of God, lay against my breast. Holy, just, and good is your Law. For you, O Lord, have demanded righteousness."

Chaotic sounds from the camp below intrude Moses' reverent worship. A scowl darkens his face.

Anger, simmering within him, erupts into a full-rolling boil as his eyes witness the wickedness before him. Nakedness! Drunkenness! Immorality! Idolatry!

Infuriated, Moses' arms of flesh raise the holy tablets high above his head. "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only!"* he bellows.

With a mighty heave Moses throws the tablets toward the ungodly scene before him. They shatter - reduced to rubble.

*******

Bitterness consumes the people. Their unbelieving hearts spew defiling words from mouths parched with thirst. "Moses is a liar," they sneer. "He has brought us to this evil place with no water to destroy us."

Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides, instructs Moses. "Speak to the rock and it will bring forth water."

Moses looks to the rock towering against the crimson sky. Clothed with the glistening rays of the sun, the majestic granite stands as a beacon of hope.

As Moses journeys through the camp his great expectation is quenched by the treachery surrounding him on every side. Hateful hands clench stones, desiring to murder their leader as he passes by. "We were better off in Egypt," they hiss despitefully. "God cannot deliver us."

The whispers and grumbling among the people ignite the fiery anger of generations buried deep within the prophet. "You rebels!" Moses roars. "Here is your water!"

Moses' arms of flesh raise his rod and strike the rock. His anger still controlling him, he raises up and strikes again while God's command to speak to the rock is ignored.

Abundant waters spring forth like a river. The people drink and are appeased.

*******

Head bowed in shame, the friend of God stands face to face with his Creator. "Your anger is a curse Moses." God's voice brings the man to his knees. "You have not believed me and have walked in your own self-will. You will not bring my children into my holy land."

Grief engulfs Moses. He has laid down his life interceding for this unbelieving generation. He has suffered reproach. Longing for the promised land, his anger has devoured his labor.

"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be required..." Luke 12:48 (NASB)

*Matthew 4:10 (NASB)
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This article has been read 1690 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Norma OGrady
01/31/05
informative
Yeshua Bless
Cheri Hardaway
02/04/05
I like how you open the scene by drawing the reader into the battle. The ending is powerful, especially: Longing for the promised land, his anger has devoured his labor.

"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be required..." Luke 12:48 (NASB)

*Matthew 4:10 (NASB)

So often, anger can devour our labor! Well spoken.

God bless,
Debbie OConnor
02/09/05
Christa, this is terrific! You really unfolded truth scene after breathtaking scene. You have a wonderful gift for description and you write very well. Awesome!
Sally Hanan
02/12/05
Ecellent work. I read in a Matthew Henry commentary that the reason why God told Moses to speak to the rock the second time around was that Christ was struck once for our sins, and once was enough.
Becky Meyer
02/23/05
Amazing. It really puts anger and its effects in God's veiw of them.
L.M. Lee
03/04/05
WHOA! Powerful!
Nancy Hardy
03/18/05
Crisa,
A very thought-provoking read!
How willful is my arm of flesh? For every time it is raised in anger, it invariably drives me to my knees. What endless mercy flows from the hands of the Almighty!
Well written, indeed!! - Nancy
Mitzi Busby
05/29/05
Christa,
What great insight you have into the Word. We all must have a "blood transfusion" through the blood of Jesus Christ to break the generational curses. Great lessons and very well written.