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ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORG
AUGUST 2020: INHERIT THE EARTH + GOD’S HAND
IN HISTORY + PICKING UP THE BASIN AND
THE TOWEL + SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS + HUMILITY
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL + COMING HOME
HUMBLE
LIFE
MORE ABUNDANTLY
I have come that they may have life - and have it more abundantly. willplan.org
VOLUME 197
08/20 NUMBER 08
FEATURES
18 HUMBLEST MAN ON EARTH | LAEL CAESAR
Was Moses that great at being humble?
22 THE CONSTANT CATALYST | DIXIL RODRÍGUEZ
HUMBLE Creatures make mistakes. All the more reason to trust our Creator.
26 HUMILITY IN LEADERSHIP | PARDON K. MWANSA
Are leaders there to lead, or to serve?
28 GRACE UNDER PRESSURE | KEN FLEMMER
Lectures aren’t always the most helpful answer.
30 HUMILITY IN FOLLOWERSHIP | JOHNETTA B. FLOMO
When it’s time to roll up our sleeves
32 PICKING UP THE BASIN AND THE TOWEL | GERALD A. KLINGBEIL
Will we know when we’re humble?
COVER PHOTO © LUMO / LIGHTSTOCK AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 1
“True leadership is not a matter of power.
It’s also not a question of strategy or careful
calculation. Biblical leadership calls us to serve—
not to determine or direct. Like Jesus, we are
called to lead humbly and tread carefully.”
34
ARTICLES
36 OUT OF THE MOUTHS 44 THE PATH OF DISCOVERY 50 GOD’S HAND IN HISTORY
OF BABES ELLEN G. WHITE JUD LAKE
MERLE POIRIER Not everything we believe The First Battle of Manassas
It was just a little pill. came perfectly formed on in America’s Civil War
stone tablets. Indeed, we may revealed much more than
38 INHERIT THE EARTH
have more to learn. military strategy.
Three young adults discuss
humility: how to recognize it, 48 I WANT TO BREATHE 54 WHO ATTENDS ADVENTIST
how to practice it. WASHINGTON JOHNSON II SCHOOLS? AND WHY?
A wake-up call for all who AIMEE LEUKERT
42 HUMILITY AND
believe that racial equality is As a church, we invest a lot in
JUSTICE FOR ALL
a thing Adventist education. Who
KRYSELLE CRAIG
benefits most?
Christians know about
discrimination. But do we 60 NEW LIFE
know what to do with it? FRED CHILESHE
The man thought he had
nothing to live for.
62 I CAN BREATHE
GARY BLANCHARD
As long as evil is in the world,
we have to stand against it.
36
NEWS|OPINION
EDITORIAL
» New Encyclopedia of Seventh- 5 BILL KNOTT
day Adventists Now Online THE QUIETEST OF VIRTUES
» Seventh-day Adventist Church D E PA R TM E N T S
Unveils Its Strategic Focus 6 LETTERS
47 HOUSE CALL
» G. Alexander Bryant Named North 68 CLOSER LOOK
American Division President 70 VOICES
» On National Television, COLUMNS
AdventHealth CEO Discusses COVID 41 INTRODUCING THE WHY
Care, Masks, and Disney Opening JIMMY PHILLIPS
59 THE LIFE OF FAITH
» 107,000 Meals and 245,000 ANDY NASH
Pounds of Washed Clothes 67 JOURNEYS WITH JESUS
JILL MORIKONE
72 IN OTHER WORDS
LAEL CAESAR
2 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORG
TRENDING
THE MOST SHARED STORIES ON
ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORG LAST MONTH:
G. Alexander Bryant Elected President
FOUNDED 1849. PUBLISHED BY THE GENERAL
CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS®
1 of North American Division
“Where Was the Justice?”
PUBLISHING BOARD
Ted N. C. Wilson, chair
Guillermo Biaggi, vice chair
2
AdventHealth CEO Interviewed
Bill Knott, secretary
Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, Williams Costa, Daniel R.
Jackson, Peter Landless, Brad Thorp, Geoffrey
3 on National Television
Mbwana, G. T. Ng, Daisy Orion, Juan Prestol-Puesán, Children’s Sabbath Schools
Ella Simmons, Artur Stele, Ray Wahlen
Karnik Doukmetzian, legal advisor
4 Practice Distance Learning
Overcoming Pandemic Challenges in India
EXECUTIVE EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF ADVENTIST
REVIEW MINISTRIES Bill Knott 5
ASSOCIATE EDITORS/DIRECTORS,
ADVENTIST REVIEW MINISTRIES
Lael Caesar, Gerald A. Klingbeil, Greg Scott
COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR/NEWS EDITOR 75 YEARS AGO
DIGITAL PLATFORMS DIRECTOR Gabriel Begle
ASSISTANT EDITORS Sandra Blackmer, Stephen
Chavez, Wilona Karimabadi
FINANCIAL MANAGER Kimberly Brown
MARKETING Jared Thurmon
ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN
Bryan Gray/Types & Symbols
LAYOUT TECHNICIAN Fred Wuerstlin
COPY EDITOR James Cavil
OPERATIONS MANAGER Merle Poirier
EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR
Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste
EDITORS-AT-LARGE Mark A. Finley, John M. Fowler
SENIOR ADVISOR E. Edward Zinke
AD SALES Glen Gohlke, Seth Hill, Carlos Medley
CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, on August
Rebecca Hilde, Sharon Tennyson 6, 1945. The Review covered it briefly, the first time in the
TO WRITERS: Writer’s guidelines are available at the August 23, 1945, issue. A statement written by Adventist
Adventist Review Web site: www.adventistreview.org
and click “About the Review.” For a printed copy, evangelist Clifford A. Reeves appeared on September 6,
send a self-addressed envelope to: Writer’s 1945. We share just a portion of it.—Editors.
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E-mail: revieweditor@gc.adventist.org. With dramatic suddenness the world has been hurled into
Web site: www.adventistreview.org. the Atomic Age. Nature has been forced to yield one of its
Unless otherwise noted, Bible texts in this issue most forbidding secrets. There has fallen into the hands
are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. of mankind something of the powers of Omnipotence. The
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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incredible atomic bomb, with its terrifying consequences
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AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 3
DISCOVER
THE JOY OF BIBLE STUDY
Joy is one of the emotions that we seem to emphasize least when we
think and talk about reading the Bible. Spiritual nourishment—yes. Deep
convictions about eternal truths—by all means. Encouragement and direc-
tion—we need that too. But joy?
When we make time for God to speak to us, when we see how the dots
are connected, when we begin to recognize the intricate bigger picture in
Scripture—that’s when things begin to happen.
As you begin reading these engaging chapters focusing upon Adventist
fundamental beliefs, you will discover not only spiritual nourishment, truth,
and encouragement, but also joy—the joy of spending time with God’s
personal message for humanity.
©2020 Pacific Press ® Publishing Association. Please
contact your ABC for pricing in Canada. 2055901039
EDITORIAL
BILL KNOTT
We are building counterculture here.
The Quietest of Virtues
I
t is the age of braggadocio, and broken men and women who instead of smugly counting those
we are never sure whether to may never stand atop an earthly within the stadium or fold. Our
laugh incredulously at all the podium, but whose permanent, kids can learn that no external
empty posturing, or weep for all ineradicable value is enshrined in sticky star can ever match the
we’ve lost—like modesty and the heart of God. He gathers in, inner prize of knowing that “your
grace. He said, the poor, the disabled, Father who sees in secret will
The airwaves crackle with the dispossessed, and sets them reward you” (Matt. 6:4).*
boasts that only yesterday were at His banquet table (Luke 14:21). It requires collective courage to
deemed unspeakably preposter- And so must we. insist on these things, and to
ous. Politicians, athletes, enter- That’s just the reason we must build again within this move-
tainers and 3-year olds stare always guard the way we think ment the habits—strategies—for
unblinkingly at us and say what and speak about Christ’s church. making certain that “love, joy,
ego always wants to say: “I am Against the tide of endless chat- peace, patience, kindness, gener-
the best. There is none like me.” ter about performance, person- osity, faithfulness, gentleness, and
And so we fault poor parent- alities, and politics borrowed self-control” take root, grow up,
ing, big salaries, and omnipresent from the culture, we can say set flowers, and bear fruit (Gal.
television cameras for coarsening aloud—again—that those who 5:22, 23). Not only is there no law
the culture, for reducing the advertise themselves are selling against such things: there’s a pos-
humility we once admired to what we do not want. We should itive commandment that we cher-
what gets said by those who fin- set a guard for narcissists who ish them. “Bear one another’s
ish second or clutch congeniality flatter us with words designed burdens, and in this way you will
awards. When “man is the mea- to bring them glory. We can find fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
sure of all things,” we quickly see the godly resolve to say “No” Humility is not an accidental
how cheap and tawdry all things when leaders take the credit for virtue we acquire casually along
seem. Our beach is overrun by the harvest God has ripened— the way. If it is ever true that we
surging hubris, and we ache for those who build their résumés are humble, individually or as a
understatement; graciousness; and reputations on all the self- people, it will be because we
the self-control that can allow less acts a hundred thousand speak of it and preach of it and
another to go first. saints have quietly performed. underline it as a virtue we insist
Cue the church—the one place This is a time for telling differ- on—“encouraging one another,
left on Planet Earth where humil- ent stories than the ones our cul- and all the more as you see the
ity still finds a home, a resting ture roars. We are building Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
place, a value. The founding ethic counterculture here, a wall Because this is the call of
of this community Jesus built against a corrosive tide of arro- Christ to all who are members
deplores the boast, the taunt, the gance and self-assertion, and evi- of His body, the church I want
cruel jest. It prizes anonymous dence suggests that we can’t labor to belong to is . . . humble.
deeds of kindness only heaven fast enough. Our pulpits should
sees; values tender words that preach patience and hiddenness,
rebuild broken hearts; urges ser- of seeds that grow in secret, and
vice to the ones the world tram- of a Father who watches even * Bible texts in this article are from the New
ples and forgets. The church of sparrows fall. We need more les- Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copy-
right © 1989 by the Division of Christian Edu-
Jesus is, by definition, a sanctuary sons about the uneconomical cation of the National Council of the Churches
for losers—for all the mixed-up, searching for lone lost sheep, of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 5
INBOX
have today more than 1,000
SPOT ON churches. It was a great contrast
We read with great interest Lael to the cathedrals where no one
Caesar’s commentary “Jesus and paid any attention.
Leviticus” and wholeheartedly I will never forget the welcome,
concur with his position: the book smiles, and kindness of members.
of Leviticus has something to say to They made us feel at home,
us today. The antipathy toward Leviticus is part of modern Christiani- helped us find a seat, introduced
ty’s war on God’s law, as though the gospel negates the law of God. us to other members, and read
This antipathy should have been resolved long ago for Sev- the stanzas of the hymns. We had
enth-day Adventists. Ellen White wrote: “The law and the gospel no idea how to do it.
cannot be separated. In Christ mercy and truth are met together; That inspiring service still stays
righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The gospel has with me in my ministry; I’ve tried
not ignored the obligations due to God by men and women. The to convey to our members how
gospel is the law unfolded, nothing more nor less. It gives no more important it is. I’ve also wanted
latitude to sin than does the law” (From the Heart, p. 289). These our church to open its doors, as
principles still apply. The moral law statutes and judgments still Stephen Chavez said, to the
apply. Where Scripture commands an animal sacrifice, there we are marginalized, disenfranchised,
to lift up Christ’s death on the cross. Ellen White was shown in and other groups who need to
vision that at a time when trouble was coming upon the earth just find refuge. As a former youth
before the close of probation, “We [Adventists] went forth and director, our young people need
proclaimed the Sabbath more fully” (Early Writings, p. 33). to feel accepted and loved in our
What is “more fully”? “That the obligations of the Decalogue churches.
might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts Leo Ranzolin, Sr.
were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Estero, Florida
Commandments. These laws were called judgments” (Patriarchs
and Prophets, p. 310). The statutes and judgments are the “more Stephen Chavez’s article “Jesus
fully” of the Ten Commandments. The Seventh-day Adventist Said, ‘Come’” is a readable and
Church has a message to give “more fully.” convincing article about how to
Ron Dahlke make everyone feel safe,
Walla Walla, Washington worshipping with Adventists
without having to “behave like us,
think like us, or look like us.” It
WE CAN BE MORE WELCOMING all our churches. harmonizes with Jesus’ teachings
“I’ve appreciated the articles by When I became an Adventist throughout the Gospels.
Bill Knott and Stephen Chavez to Christian at a very young age, my The article is well worth
help our members not lose sight mother and I attended our first reading again and again.
of the friendliness and under- worship service. It was a small R. Lynn Sauls
standing that should permeate church in São Paulo, where we Naples, Florida
6 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORG
The mix of people and the inclusion of atypical
Adventist parishioners is an inspiration.
LAWRENCE G. DOWNING, VIA EMAIL
The June 2020 Adventist Review DON’T TRY, DO! ever again. You’re a winner, and
with the cover title “Welcoming” I thank and praise God every winners don’t try, they do!”
capitalized on the opportunity to morning I can get out of bed. I’ve not found the word “try” in
address stories we’ve all heard: A I take exception with the word His Word, and I believe our Lord
visitor comes to church, baubles “try” used by Stephen Chavez in and Savior continues to be a
dangle from her ears; gaudy the closing article of the June winner in every respect!
bracelets, one stacked upon the 2020 issue. When I used the word Alive and active at 73.
other, adorn her arms. A gate- “try” in front of my mentor years Terry Nobbe
keeper sidles up to the woman and ago, he said: “Terry, I don’t want to via email
with piety dripping like water from hear that word out of your mouth
a leaky faucet, says, “I thought you
should know that in our church we
believe in modest dress. We don’t COMMENTS FROM ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORG
wear jewelry.” This ends the
conversation and the desire ever WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT RACISM IF I’M WHITE?
to return to that church. Beautiful read! Thank you.
The article “Jesus Said, ‘Come’” Beverly Rachel, via web
takes the discussion further and
addresses the matter of intention. NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS IS NOW ONLINE
It well made the case that a Congratulations and praise God! We look forward to ready access of
congregation has the opportunity more stories of the development and worldwide spread of our
to intentionally create a welcom- message as the Lord uses human servants in this family of God.
ing church. Glendale City church Lloyd and Sheila Schomburg, via web
supports your thesis. I have
attended the church and NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION BIDS FAREWELL TO ITS PRESIDENT AND
presented to the congregation. FIRST LADY
The mix of people and the President and Mrs. Jackson, thank you so much for your years of
inclusion of atypical Adventist leadership. We have prayed for you often and will miss having you as
parishioners is an inspiration. our North American Division president. God’s blessings as you retire.
Lawrence G. Downing Don and Louise Driver, via web
via email
A DEEPER REALITY
HEAVY RAIN Well, don’t get all light and fluffy on us, Cliff! Seriously, though, “can
“Forecast: Heavy Rain” was this quantum phenomenon, or some variant thereof, explain how
right-on! Extraordinarily well stated. something in the classical realm, such as Jesus crying out, ‘It is
And so timely. Thank you, Adventist finished,’ could be instantly conveyed ‘through every world and
Review, and Dixil Rodríguez. through heaven itself’?” Probably not. But why not? It’s intriguing.
Duane Rollins Quantum physics really humbles us in so many ways.
Elwood, Indiana Jennifer Jill Schwirzer, via web
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 7
New Release: Digital Discipleship & Evangelism Guide By Jamie Domm A practical guide for using technology to spread the gospel. The North American Division has released its first guide to digital discipleship and evan- gelism! This book is a practical guide for outreach, com- munity service, growth, and evangelism for conferences, local churches, and personal ministries. It digs deep into content evangelism, effective writing for online audiences, and practical tips for commu- nity care and engagement. This comprehensive resource is packed with practical “how- to” nuts and bolts that will help you establish or grow your digital ministry. Learn more & get the book at SDAdata.blog/book Print: $19.95* Kindle and ePub: $11.95 *Quantity discounts are available.
NEWS
“I am first indebted to God for His
call to ministry, and second, to
those who have poured into my
life over the years.”
—G. Alexander Bryant,
president, North American Division.
The new Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists
is now online after its July 1, 2020, official launch.
NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SEVENTH- years Adventists had a presence in
DAY ADVENTISTS NOW ONLINE China, missionaries worked only in
the eastern part of the country,
NEW RESOURCE TELLS THE STORY OF ADVENTISTS AS
relatively close to sophisticated port
NEVER BEFORE, SAY PROJECT COORDINATORS.
cities, which had connections by ship
BY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH OFFICE OF ARCHIVES, STATISTICS, AND RESEARCH
to the Western world. Arthur Allum
id you know that the first woman Hospital in the Democratic Repub- and Merritt Warren were the first to
D authorized to practice medicine
in Mexico was a Seventh-day Ad-
lic of the Congo were treated by
John Sturges and his wife, Viola, on
travel deep into China, and, having
set up a mission station at Chongq-
ventist? It was Lillis Wood Starr, who the veranda of their thatch-roofed ing, in Sichuan, in the country’s west,
served as a missionary to Mexico. hut? after six months they traveled east
Did you know that the current Did you know that one of the first again. With their wives, Evaline and
world church system of organiza- Seventh-day Adventist missionaries Wilma, they then spent several weeks
tion was originated by Asa T. Rob- to Papua New Guinea was a Fijian, journeying back to Sichuan.
inson, a pioneer missionary to south- Peni Tavodi? He died, while serving These stories and thousands
ern Africa and Australia? He preached there, after a fatal snakebite. more are found in the Seventh-day
his last sermon at the age of 95. Its Or did you know that it took the Adventist Church’s first online ref-
title? “The Blessed Hope.” first Adventist missionaries to the erence work, the Encyclopedia of
Did you know that the first patients far west of China up to 60 days of Seventh-day Adventists (or ESDA),
at what is now Songa Adventist travel each way? For the first dozen which launched July 1, 2020.
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 9NEWS
So it was that in 2014 the execu-
tive officers of the General Confer-
ence asked the Office of Archives,
Statistics, and Research (ASTR), lo-
cated at the world headquarters, to
produce a replacement for the ven-
erable Seventh-day Adventist Ency-
clopedia. David Trim, director of ASTR,
came up with a plan for a truly global
and online encyclopedia, which the
world church funded. Because it
was to be an entirely new work rather
WHAT IS ESDA? membership. The old Seventh-day than a revised edition, it was given
The Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia was written a new title: the Encyclopedia of Sev-
Adventists is the fruit of a five-year by a small group at the church’s enth-day Adventists.
project (to date) of the worldwide headquarters in Washington, D.C., It has been prepared by hundreds
Seventh-day Adventist Church. It representatives of a church that was of researchers and authors and doz-
launched with 2,100 articles and 3,200 still largely of European descent. ens of editors from around the world,
photos, most of them never before Furthermore, since the 1990s, writing on the institutions, organi-
published. ESDA online is a free Seventh-day Adventist historical zations, and first church members
resource that will be regularly revised: scholarship has been almost and church leaders of their own
at least another 6,000 articles will transformed. Finally, numerous errors nations and people groups. All ar-
be added, along with many more in the old Seventh-day Adventist En- ticles have been peer reviewed,
photographs, plus video, audio cyclopedia have been identified, which has expanded the number
recordings, and original documents. while many more sources have been of Adventist scholars, administra-
In addition, existing articles can be discovered. tors, and church members who have
corrected and augmented. While a The Seventh-day Adventist Church contributed to the project.
version will eventually appear in thus needed a new “go to” refer- Trim has overseen the Encyclo-
print, the ESDA online, which is ence work, reflecting the astonish- pedia of Seventh-day Adventists as
constantly being updated, will be ingly diverse and truly global church editor, while the role of managing
both more flexible and more accurate of the twenty-first century. There editor was filled initially by Benjamin
than any printed work could ever was also need of an online ency- Baker, and, since 2018, by Drago-
be—and easily available to anyone clopedia that allows all the possi- slava Santrac. According to Trim,
with a cell phone, unlike bulky (and bilities of the digital age. Santrac made a key contribution
expensive) multivolume books. One concept for such an online by her energy and enthusiasm.
work was conceived in the Adventist
WHY ESDA? Review office, and the current ESDA GOALS
The old Seventh-day Adventist encyclopedia has drawn on some ESDA’s stated goals are:
Encyclopedia was published in 1966; ideas from it. Adventist scholars have Supply reliable and authori-
the second revised edition appeared produced short reference works, but tative information on Adventist his-
in 1996. The worldwide Adventist they relied on the old encyclopedia tory, crucial events and themes,
Church has experienced dramatic for their information, and the works organizations, entities, institutions,
shifts in that time, not least in global were not available online. and people
10 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORGI Will Go, the strategic
focus plan of the
Seventh-day Adven-
tist Church for 2020-
2025, was launched at
a livestreamed event
on July 3-4, 2020.
ADVENTIST NEWS NETWORK
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Strengthen Adventist iden- UNVEILS ITS STRATEGIC FOCUS
tity in a fast-growing worldwide PLANS FOR THE NEW QUINQUENNIUM WERE OFFICIALLY
movement, heightening aware- LAUNCHED AT JULY 3-4, 2020, LIVESTREAMED EVENT.
ness of distinctive doctrinal and BY BETH THOMAS, FOR ADVENTIST NEWS NETWORK, AND ADVENTIST REVIEW
prophetic beliefs n a special livestreamed event sight Committee, chaired by Michael
Provide a reference work
for those new to the Adventist
I July 3-4, 2020, the Seventh-day
Adventist Church unveiled its stra-
Ryan, a former general vice presi-
dent of the Adventist Church, after
faith, mature in the faith, and tegic focus for 2020-2025. The next consulting with divisions.
not of Adventist faith, to learn five years will focus on mission Gary Krause, Office of Adventist
about all aspects of Adventism through the Reach the World: I Will Mission director, offered a concise
Bring out the role of de- Go initiative, church leaders said. overview of the initiative focus:
nominational organization in Initially set to launch at the 2020 “The plan is summarized in 10
fulfilling the church’s mission General Conference Session in In- key objectives—four mission ob-
Highlight the missional dianapolis, plans for presenting jectives, three spiritual-growth
challenges still remaining in or- the initiative to the world church objectives, and three leadership
der to “reach the world” had to be adjusted because of the objectives. But another key objec-
Reflect the nature of the coronavirus pandemic. So it took tive has been added: ‘Holy Spirit
world church today, both in sub- place in a weekend celebration, objectives: to be defined as the
ject matter and in those who write broadcast on Hope Channel, the Holy Spirit leads.’ This is an ac-
and edit the encyclopedia Seventh-day Adventist Church’s knowledgment that although we
Facebook page, and other social have made plans as good stewards,
THE FUTURE media platforms. we need to be open to the Holy
According to Trim, although Spirit fine-tuning or adding to our
ESDA online launches with more I WILL GO: AN IMPORTANT TOOL mission priorities.”
than 2,000 articles, there are more I Will Go is “a tool to help the According to David Trim, Office
than twice as many articles that church be more focused and effective of Archives, Statistics, and Research
still need to be written. World in performing critical tasks. This director, almost unprecedented
church funding will continue for strategic plan is rooted in the Great research informed the direction
another two years. Trim also Commission found in Matthew 28, for this new initiative.
states that many of those who’ve which calls Jesus’ followers to go Of the surveys given to church
written articles to date have found and make disciples of all nations,” members in all 13 world divisions
the experience faith-affirming, according to the initiative website. in 2018, there were 63,756 responses
even transforming. He appeals Adventist Church president Ted to questions dealing with personal
to Adventist scholars of all dis- N. C. Wilson said that through this spiritual practices, local church en-
ciplines, not just history, and to focus, church leaders hope to see vironment, and a range of biblical
any church member who is pas- “a worldwide, massive involvement beliefs. This data enables church
sionate about Adventist heritage, of all our church members in their leaders to get a finger on the pulse
to contact the ESDA office if they evangelistic and witnessing com- of the church and know how to best
are willing to write or review mitment during these last days of encourage spiritual growth and
articles. Many more interesting, earth’s history.” commitment, leaders said.
encouraging, chastening, inspir- The plan was developed by the Research efforts will continue
ing stories from Adventist history Future Plans Working Group Stra- through the next five years to eval-
are waiting to be told. tegic Planning and Research Over- uate the plan’s effectiveness.
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 11NEWS
G. Alexander Bryant, North
American Division president
PHOTO: DAN WEBER, NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION NEWS
you. . . . Hopefully, by our efforts
together, we can hasten the com-
ing of the Lord through our mis-
sion work throughout our territory
and beyond; and Jesus will come
and we can go home.”
Wilson affirmed the decision for
NAD president, saying, “Alex, we
will place you in prayer—that God
will be with you and Desiree and
your family as you take up these
G. ALEXANDER BRYANT new responsibilities. . . . I know he
will have a tremendous evangelis-
NAMED NORTH AMERICAN tic imprint on North America for
DIVISION PRESIDENT the future, and it’ll be a privilege
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH’S GENERAL to collaborate with him on that.”
CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VOTED BRYANT All world division executive offi-
INTO THE OFFICE ON JULY 9, 2020. cers serve as elected officers of the
GC, and their nomination and elec-
BY KIMBERLY LUSTE MARAN, NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION NEWS
tion by the region they represent
n July 9, 2020, the Seventh-day is someone who is a careful lis- must be approved by the General
O Adventist Church’s General
Conference (GC) Executive Commit-
tener to people. He will take [these
cares] to the Lord and ask for guid-
Conference Executive Committee.
The division’s nominating com-
tee met virtually to receive the name ance. . . . I believe that God can mittee is termed a standing com-
of G. Alexander Bryant, the recom- use him in a very, very special way.” mittee. It was appointed by the NAD
mendation for division president, Bryant said in response to the executive committee in 2015. During
from both the North American Di- vote, “I am first indebted to God the past five years the nominating
vision’s nominating committee and for His call to ministry, and second, committee has recommended the
executive committee. Bryant was to those who have poured into my names of individuals to the exec-
confirmed in a vote of 153 to 3. life over the years. I am deeply hum- utive committee for a vote in order
Ted N. C. Wilson, General Con- bled by the confidence Elder Wil- to fill division vacancies.
ference president and, as policy son, our chair, and the NAD and GC Following a process disclosed
indicates for the vote of division executive committees have placed earlier, the division’s nominating
president, chair of the NAD nom- in me with this assignment. committee met on July 6 and se-
inating committee and executive “This task is too big for one in- lected the name of Bryant, which
committee held on July 6 and July dividual or office,” he said. “It is was presented and voted on by
7, said, “I’m looking forward to a abundantly clear to me that it takes the NAD executive committee on
renewed focus on the three angels’ all of us working together to ad- July 7. Bryant’s name was sent as
messages, and I believe that Elder vance God’s kingdom. I deeply covet a recommendation to the GC Ex-
Bryant can help lead in that great your prayers.” ecutive Committee. All meetings
adventure, because that is what He added, “I ask for my wife and were held virtually via Zoom with
is entrusted to each of us. [He] is for myself—that you would con- a previously used electronic vot-
a mission-focused individual. He tinue to lift us up daily as we will ing process.
12 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORGBryant replaces Daniel R. Jack- tral States Conference voted Bryant
son, who served at the NAD head- to serve as youth/Pathfinder/Na-
“It is
quarters from his election in June
2010 at the GC Session in Atlanta,
tional Service Organization direc-
tor, temperance director, and su-
abundantly
Georgia, and his reelection in 2015 perintendent of education in 1990. clear to
in San Antonio, Texas, until his re- He became president in 1997.
tirement on July 1, 2020. The search In addition to pastoring several me that it
process for a new executive sec- churches early in his career, Bryant
retary has begun. also served as a student missionary
takes all of
Glenward Alexander (“Alex”) Bry-
ant most recently served as exec-
to Japan for one year. During his col-
lege years Bryant’s administrative
us working
utive secretary of the NAD and as- abilities helped him serve as the together to
sociate secretary of the GC, posi- Adventist Youth director at Oakwood
tions he’s held since October 2008, College and president of the Black advance God’s
when he was elected at the GC An-
nual Council in Manila, Philippines.
Students Association of the Semi-
nary (BSAS) at Andrews University.
kingdom. I
Bryant was reelected at the 2010 Bryant is the second African deeply covet
GC Session. While serving as the American elected to serve as NAD
division’s secretary, Bryant con- president. Charles E. Bradford, the your prayers.”
ducted leadership seminars, train- division’s first president, was also
ing, and orientation of conference African American. Previous divi-
—G. Alexander Bryant
executive officers; organized a di- sion presidents include Alfred C.
vision-wide diversity summit; co- McClure, Don C. Schneider, and
ordinated the digitalization of the Daniel R. Jackson.
NAD Secretariat; and conducted Bryant is married to the former
annual evangelistic series. Desiree Wimbish, who served as
Before coming to the NAD, Bry- associate superintendent of ed-
ant served as president of the Cen- ucation for the Potomac Confer-
tral States Conference in Kansas ence, superintendent of education
City, Kansas. for Central States Conference, and
Bryant graduated with a double as former principal of the V. Lind-
major in theology and business ad- say Seventh-day Adventist School
ministration from Oakwood College in Kansas City, Kansas. Desiree
(now Oakwood University) in 1982. serves as assistant director and
He began his ministry that same projects coordinator for Adventist
year in Springfield, Missouri, and education in the NAD. The Bryants
Coffeyville and Independence, Kan- have three adult children and three
sas. In 1986 Bryant was ordained, grandchildren.
and he continued his education
by earning a Master of Divinity de- For a video interview with Alex Bryant
gree from the Seventh-day Adven- about his education, early years in min-
tist Theological Seminary at An- istry, and his hopes for his role as NAD
drews University in 1988. The Cen- president, see vimeo.com/436307082.
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 13NEWS
AdventHealth CEO Terry Shaw
chance. AdventHealth teams learned
ON NATIONAL TELEVISION, all they could to develop and im-
ADVENTHEALTH CEO prove their protocols but were also
DISCUSSES COVID CARE, supported by the organization’s early
commitment to get ready.
MASKS, AND DISNEY OPENING “In March and April, we spent an
TERRY SHAW PRAISES HIS TEAM AS HE SHARES THEIR enormous amount of money on PPE,
PROACTIVE APPROACH TO CARING FOR PEOPLE. and we continue to stockpile PPE
that we so desperately need right
BY MARCOS PASEGGI, ADVENTIST REVIEW
now,” Shaw said. He added that Ad-
n a national television interview Shaw went on to explain that ventHealth is getting shipments of
I aired on July 12, 2020, Advent-
Health CEO Terry Shaw stressed the
following those strict protocols,
the number of COVID-19 patients in
broad-spectrum antiviral medica-
tion remdesivir, so they “have enough
hospital network’s thorough prepa- intensive-care units across the doz- to continue to care for people.”
rations and the quality of care of ens of AdventHealth hospitals in
the teams he leads during an un- Florida has been cut in half. The same A MULTISTATE SYSTEM
precedented surge of COVID-19 can be said about the number of During the July 12 show, which
across the U.S. state of Florida and people coming to AdventHealth included interviews with U.S. sur-
beyond. In a live interview on the hospitals who need a ventilator. geon general Jerome Adams and
CBS News show Face the Nation, “Because of those things, our death others, Shaw emphasized the mul-
Shaw focused on the proactive rate has also been cut in half in that tistate nature of Adventist health
steps AdventHealth has taken, as time,” he told Brennan. care. He said they are working with
he lavished praise on what he called When asked about the peak of institutions in Colorado to bring
the “amazing job” of the organiza- hospitalizations, Shaw said he be- clinicians to support Florida’s staff
tion’s clinical teams. lieves that Florida hasn’t reached needs. This is critical to keep the
“I’m thankful that we’ve had the peak yet. He called people to level of care, he said.
several months to learn how to follow advice about wearing masks “It’s very important that you have
treat the disease,” said Shaw when and keeping social distancing. “COVID the ability to move staff around
reacting to host Margaret Bren- gets passed from one person to the within the state,” Shaw said. “[We
nan’s question on the current state next, and we can all do a better job developed] a staff redeployment
of preparations. “We are much making sure that we are caring for program that allowed us to move
better prepared in July than what one another by just wearing a sim- critical resources around our orga-
we were in March. We have ade- ple mask and staying six feet (from nization, both within the state of
quate personal protective equip- a distance perspective) from the Florida and from out of the state to
ment [PPE]. We have a stockpile next person,” Shaw advised. Florida, or vice versa, based on where
of ventilators, and we have an spikes were coming, and where peo-
amazing clinical team that has SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT ple would be needed the most.”
taken best practices from around Shaw made clear that the posi- Every move, Shaw emphasized,
the globe and put them into our tive results AdventHealth is currently was made to focus on how to better
treatment protocols.” achieving are not the result of care for people.
14 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORGADVISING WALT DISNEY
WORLD RESORT
107,000 MEALS AND
Shaw’s interview took place on 245,000 POUNDS OF
the same day Walt Disney World
Resort, near Orlando, Florida,
WASHED CLOTHES
opened its doors to the public af- IN BRAZIL, ADRA’S MOBILE TRAILER COMPLETES
FOUR YEARS OF SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED.
ter weeks of closings. Many experts
BY AYANNE KAROLINE, SOUTH AMERICAN DIVISION, AND ADVENTIST REVIEW
wonder whether this was a wise
decision at a time when cases have mobile service unit sponsored food, clothes, and psychological
skyrocketed in the area. Advent-
Health is providing advice and sup-
A by the Adventist Development
and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Brazil
support.
“During the pandemic, with the
port to Disney’s plan for reopening. reached four years serving the needy increase in poverty and unemploy-
Brennan’s last question to Shaw on June 26, 2020. During those four ment, our truck continues to guar-
sought to get his take on it. years the trailer has served more antee the essentials to maintain
“As a health-care provider, my than 20,000 people, organization the dignity of the most humble
job is to help people do things leaders said. Brazilian families,” Salles said.
safely,” Shaw answered. “Based on Launched in 2016 as a project “‘Love on the Go’ is our trailer’s
the way Disney is approaching this, to assist communities affected by slogan. It is love with justice and
limiting people in, doing all the disasters, it has been on the ground compassion,” he explained.
screenings that they are doing . . . to help victims of natural disasters
I wouldn’t hesitate to go to Disney across the country, including land- SPACIOUS AND PRACTICAL
as a health-care CEO, based upon slides in São Paulo. More recently The modified trailer truck has
the fact that they are working re- it has underpinned the agency’s approximately 480 square feet
ally hard to keep people safe.” efforts against COVID-19. (about 45 square meters) of floor
Adventist Review executive ed- In four years of operation it space. It is divided into three com-
itor Bill Knott said that he enjoyed has visited more than 40 cities, partments, each intended to meet
the interview. “I appreciated Shaw’s served more than 107,000 meals, the affected population’s primary
responses that explained clearly and helped wash 245,000 pounds needs, according to agency lead-
the hospital system’s need for care- of clothes. ers in charge of the project.
ful planning, as well as the impor- “The first section is used for pre-
tance of strategic deployment of RELIEF IN THE paring hot meals, with an output
needed personnel around the [Ad- MIDST OF SUFFERING of up to 1,500 meals per shift,” they
ventHealth] system.” According to “ADRA Brazil’s trailer was cre- explained. “The second is intended
Knott, Shaw handled the questions ated to bring relief in the midst for washing and drying clothes,
and issues with confidence. of suffering,” said Fábio Salles, and can deliver about 800 pounds
Face the Nation is a weekly U.S. ADRA Brazil director. “Natural di- [363 kilograms] of clean clothes
news program airing Sundays. sasters are common in Brazil. In per day. The third is used to pro-
Created in 1954, it is included on the midst of the despair of having vide psychological support.”
the list of the longest-running news lost everything, the services of-
programs in the history of televi- fered guarantee basic care for FOUR YEARS ON A TRUCK
sion. It usually features interviews those affected.” Cristiane Alejo de Freitas Maximiano
with prominent officials, politi- Salles explained that the basic and her husband, Tiago, have been
cians, and authors. assistance provided includes coordinating the truck services
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 15NEWS
“Being part of this mission has
transformed me and my life.”
During the past four years the ADRA trailer has served the needy and the homeless in more than 40
Brazilian cities. PHOTO: ARTHUR HENRIQUE, ADRA BRAZIL
thanks to a partnership with ADRA Cristiane and Tiago take care of more than 10,000 meals and washed
Brazil. Cristiane said she has lived every task connected to the ADRA 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of
through several different realities trailer, including the logistics and clothes for people on the streets.
along the way. what happens inside. “Being part In the southern state of Rio Grande
“I have spent time with victims of this mission has transformed do Sul, it served shelters where
of floods and landslides, and me and my life,” she said. vulnerable people are isolated,
time with vulnerable people,” she offering 3,000 meals and washing
said. “It made me reflect on my SERVING IN more than 13,000 pounds (5,900
love and empathy for others.” TIMES OF COVID-19 kilograms) of clothes.
Cristiane believes that by walk- With the pandemic triggered by The ADRA trailer is currently sta-
ing in other people’s shoes, we COVID-19, and the need to support tioned in Espirito Santo, and is
can better understand their suf- many Brazilian cities, ADRA’s mo- scheduled to stay until August to
fering, then act in practical ways bile unit has moved into action. In serve as an isolation center for
to alleviate it. “I understood the 20 days operating in Salvador, Ba- those who are homeless and needy
meaning of compassion,” she said. hia, the trailer volunteers served in the local community.
16 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORGNEWSBRIEFS
GOLDEN ANGELS LAUNCH SERIES OF “ROOM CONCERTS.” South Korea-
based Adventist singing group, the Golden Angels, turned disappointment into a
major witnessing opportunity. When COVID-19 ruined its schedule of concerts
throughout South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, the group turned into media
producers—reading books, watching teaching videos, learning production, procuring
equipment, and producing and uploading recorded videos called Golden Angels Room
Concerts to their YouTube channel, with English, Chinese, and Japanese subtitles.
HELPING TO SAVE LIVES IN YEMEN. In a project serving 225,715 people,
including 121,532 women, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is
bringing public health resources and supplies to the population of Yemen, suffering
one of the world’s greatest humanitarian disasters. With funding from the govern-
ment of Canada, ADRA renovated and equipped three health units, including a fully
functional laboratory, and is paying the salaries of health-care providers, including
doctors, obstetricians, midwives, nurses, and nutrition experts.
ADVENTIST SCHOOL GETS BEST INDIVIDUAL RESULT IN 30 YEARS.
Norway’s Adventist Junior College (Tyrifjord Videregående Skole) regularly has good
results. But this year, for the first time in 30 years, one of the 65 June 21, 2020,
graduates received top marks in all subjects. Tonje Karoline Knutsen takes her
studies seriously. But she gives high credit to the excellent teachers and social
environment she experienced at Tyrifjord Videregående Skole. Moving there three
years ago, she says, was the best decision she ever made.
PRAYER RELAY CAPS 100 DAYS OF PRAYER ACROSS INTER-AMERICA.
For 24 hours straight, beginning before sunset July 3, Adventist churches across the
24 unions of the Inter-American Division (IAD) celebrated faithful prayer. Thousands
of members and church leaders united virtually in praise and supplication at the
climax of the division’s 100 days of prayer. Samuel Telemaque, NAD Sabbath School
director, said, “We see this initiative as a catalyst for all the ministries of the church.”
TOP-OF-THE-LINE TRAINING FOR ROBOTIC SURGERY CLINICIANS.
AdventHealth, one of the United States’ largest faith-based health-care systems, will
extend its partnership with C-SATS, a platform providing anonymous personalized
and near-real-time reviews of a surgeon’s work once the surgeon captures their
robotic surgical procedures on video and securely sends them to C-SATS. Advent-
Health was the first health system in the country to deploy C-SATS, and sees its
added value for both surgeons and patients.
MORE THAN 1,000 PODCASTS ON FAITH, HEALTH, AND HOPE. In early July
2020, the Adventist Church’s South American Division (SAD) launched 7Cast, a
platform that brings together podcast productions from church members, pastors,
and church institutions. 7Cast was born with a similar goal as Feliz7Play, the SAD
video platform: to share hope with people. One thousand free podcasts are available
already, in 15 different categories, and on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts,
Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Deezer.
NEW APPOINTMENTS VOTED IN GEOSCIENCE, AUDITING SERVICE. Ronnie
Nalin was elected director of the Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) by the General
Conference Executive Committee July 9, 2020. He succeeds Jim Gibson, who has
retired after more than three decades of leading the Loma Linda, California-based
institute. The committee also elected Boris Cardenas as associate director for
workflow and innovation of the General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS). Nalin
(right) is from Italy, Cardenas from Colombia.
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 17HUMBLEST
MAN
ON EARTH
Is meek the same as stupid?
1LAEL CAESAR
It’s altogether too difficult to dispute the uniqueness of Moses. As the human source
of three great world religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Moses and his greatness
may be freely asserted. His humility, however, turns out to be more of a problem.
UNFORGETTABLE PARENTHESIS that Scripture’s most remarkable lines about Moses
Numbers 12:3 may well be the Bible’s most unfor- relate to Jesus rather than to humility, to a proph-
gettable parenthesis, and for no positive reason. ecy in Deuteronomy rather than to a parenthesis
Many find it impossible to accept that the height of in Numbers. Invoking that prophecy, Peter in Acts
humility would be for Moses, considered the book’s 3 and Stephen in Acts 7 both argue that Jesus is
author, to describe himself as he does, “more humble Jesus because He properly fulfills Moses’ prediction
than anyone else on the face of the earth.” And of a coming prophet who would be like him: “The
besides the oddity of such an action, there is ade- Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like
quate room to wonder about Moses as meek. me from among you, from your fellow Israelites.
Beyond his domination of early Israelite history You must listen to him” (Deut. 18:15). Both Peter
he is seen as a major figure in the New Testament: in Acts 3 and Stephen in Acts 7 state that this
the healed leper must carry out Moses’ instructions prediction is about Jesus: Jesus is like Moses.
for ritual cleansing (Matt. 8:4); Jesus and His oppo-
nents all claim Moses’ support in their argument BEGINNING TO ANSWER
about marriage and divorce (Matt. 19:7, 8). In Jesus’ We now have three points to ponder: (1) How can
hypothetical, well-known story about the rich man humility declare itself most humble? (2) Can we be
and Lazarus, one thing is clear: it’s about Moses sure, given his accomplishments and stature, that
(Luke 16:19-31). Mentioned 80 times in the New Moses was all that meek? (3) Why should heaven
Testament, Moses is an undying hero. Except that and the prophets say that Jesus is like Moses? That’s
he does die in the Old Testament (Deut. 34:5-7), only the opposite of the directions of our Sabbath School
to rise again before the New Testament gets too far songs: “I would be like Jesus. Be like Jesus, this my
along, so he can show up to encourage Jesus before song, in the home and in the throng.”2
His passion—which Luke actually calls Jesus’ exodus One major way to begin addressing the multiplied
(Luke 9:28-36). queries would be vis-à-vis the superlative claim of
Moses’ support is not in vain: Jesus conquers Numbers 12:3. Answers to our multiple questions
devil and hell, bursts out of the mountain, and may have their best starting point in the unforget-
soars to glory with a promise to return for His table parenthesis: “Moses was the humblest.”
friends. Once the news gets out to “every creature The term ‘anaw (“humble”) that Moses applies to
under heaven” (Col. 1:23), priests and Pharisees, himself in Numbers 12 was no coveted epithet
Jews and Gentiles, plebes and patricians all want among the “haves” of Old Testament times. Its
to follow the Nazarene’s way. possession did not contribute to superior status or
The Christian church holds its first deliberative constitute a position of power. Answering our first
council, seeking for process and practice that question, a pronouncement on humility in Num-
will be fair to all. James, presiding, reminds bers is not designed as a statement of greatness.
delegates of the pivotal presence and word of That ‘anaw is sometimes confused with the closely
Moses for making things go right (Acts 15:13-21). related ‘ani (“poor,” “afflicted”) only underlines the
All of which confronts us with a new question: fact that to declare oneself such is hardly to be heard
are we even reading right in Numbers when we as a braggart. To be ‘ani was to be the natural object
hear it say that this giant of a statesman, author, of exploitation (see Ex. 22:22-24), so helpless in
legislator, and nation builder was humanity’s one’s affliction that the Lord Himself must person-
humblest ever? ally intervene to help and deliver (Ex. 3:7, 8).
The questions aren’t done yet. For it may yet be And because ‘anaw itself never represents high
AUGUST 2020 | ADVENTIST REVIEW 19Moses is soon confronted with a new trial, this
We claim to value humility now only time the unnecessary and “evil report” (Num. 13:32,
because Jesus does, and we want to KJV) the spies bring back. Their “spy idea” was unnec-
essary and insulting to God because He had spied
sound Christian. out the territory already (Eze. 20:6). He had long ago
guaranteed the land of Canaan to Israel’s great ances-
tor Abraham (Gen. 15:18-21), even explaining the
schedule for taking possession (verses 13-16).
Yet the people cringe at Moses’ wonderful
announcement: “You have reached the hill country
of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving
social standing or popular esteem, considering the us. See, the Lord your God has given you the land.
famous parenthesis a note of conceit happens only Go up and take possession of it” (Deut. 1:19-21).
by detaching it from its contextual moorings. Taken Comparing Deuteronomy and Numbers shows
in its original context, the text seeks to communicate that though Moses and His gracious Lord accept
Moses’ indisposition about preserving his reputa- responsibility for the commissioning of spies
tion. Or it pronounces upon his sheer inability to (Num. 13:1-16), they both knew it was wrong
protect himself from slanderous verbal assault or (disastrously so, it turned out). The faithlessness
rebellion against his divinely appointed authority. that inspired the idea of sending spies equally
His personal dignity, his choice of spouse, his manner inspired their report. That same faithlessness riled
of leadership—all were subject to open attack and up the congregation receiving the report, and
ridicule by his siblings and/or by hundreds of sub- inspired their desire to murder the ones who pre-
alterns responding to strong urges to prove them- ferred to trust in God (Num. 14:10). Moses’ humil-
selves superior to whatever he thought of them. ity only encouraged their bold faithlessness: he
Moses’ story, as recounted in the relevant chap- was either so nice or so naive that they knew he
ters of Numbers, presents a report consistent with would eventually surrender before their clamor;
the lot and experience of the biblical ‘anaw, a group they could threaten to stone him and all God’s
whose divine support and blessing never relate to faithful, and he would back down; they could
their community status or their role in the society. complain all night and his resolve would melt.
Indeed, it is their need that evokes God’s succor. The rebellions keep piling on: the Numbers 16
Left to themselves they will be swept away by any attack is by the cream of the crop: “250 Israelite
onslaught of evil as they encounter people whose men, well-known community leaders who had
goal and practice is to “trample the needy and do been appointed members of the council” (verse
away with the poor [‘anaw] of the land” (Amos 8:4). 2). These are men who know their standing in
society, and know they have huge followings on
THREE MOSES STORIES Twitter and Facebook, if not on Instagram and
In Numbers 12, Moses’ creative, assertive, extro- TikTok. They echo Miriam, though now Moses
verted sister—in the lead, with older brother Aaron and Aaron are lumped together: they take too
trailing—unleashes a shameful insult against the much on themselves; they lack proper respect for
man and his wife, stuffing her sad sentiments into the capacity of others to do what they do; they
an enveloped labeled “God’s Service”: “Has the Lord think themselves superior to everybody else,
spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken “above the Lord’s assembly” (verse 3). When God
through us?” (Num. 12:2). If God had not told us miraculously destroys these champions of fairness
explicitly, we would not know that Miriam’s holy for all, their followers scream at Moses and Aaron,
jealousy is just a cover for her racism: “Miriam and “You have killed the Lord’s people” (verse 41).
Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Through these episodes of racist insult, bold faith-
Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite” (verse lessness, and class warfare, Moses’ attitude gives us
1). Cush as location means Ethiopia. God Himself a consistent answer to our second query: can we be
intervenes to severely discipline the gifted, preju- sure of his humility? In each of these three cases—(1)
diced prophetess (verses 4-15; see also Ex. 15:20). his brother and sister, (2) the spies, (3) the famous
20 ADVENTIST REVIEW | AUGUST 2020 ADVENTISTREVIEW.ORGYou can also read
