Quakers at Pharoah's court

During the last few years it has become relatively Common for Quakers in the UK to describe themselves as actively seeking God.
Although every need, starting point, perspective and insight will be different,  through this blog I have an opportunity to share things that have been helpful to me.

One of my favourite characters from the Bible is that of Moses. Despite having lived thousands of years ago, Moses seems to me a character we might so easily recognise today.
This young man had been brought up with everything but the truth. Through his adopted parents and the influence of Egyptian culture he might easily have over-estimated his importance, the certainty of a life surrounded by  possessions in the next world and even believed he was a God.
Perhaps Quakers also have a tendency to hang out in Pharoah's court. We talk somewhat vaguely of having "that of God within us" and in a rather smug manner have from our earliest times regularly described ourselves as being "The Children of God." These sources of self flattery may have been to the detriment of every other faith, and a considerable source of annoyance to others, but it is possible to become very attached to a sense of group identity that seems to work so well. Those adopted parents will look at you adoringly, provide few guidelines and uncritically accept almost everything you do. Through the distractions and priorities of our secular court, and puffed up by the pride of our own intellect, we build our own pyramids, storing up our culture, traditions and possessions as if they will be of relevance and use to us for ever. As Moses discovered, the main casualty of spending far too long in Pharoah's court is truth.

Although privilege, opportunity and a particularly narrow escape involving a wicker basket, might be seen as an advantage, so far this had not been the case for Moses. Instead of growing up into a helpful and responsible adult, he still had no understanding of other peoples' lives and lacked self-control. When confronted by injustice he did the first thing which came to mind, killed a man, and so proved himself to be of no particular use. At times Quakers will express a need to intervene, express their views in the most forceful manner possible, whether or not they understand a situation, appreciate the many different perspectives, or will be of any use. Perhaps like Moses, aspiring gods over-estimate the importance of power to resolve a conflict, like to do something none the less, and think it particularly important to be seen.

In the wilderness Moses almost certainly realised that it was possible to go back.  A royal prince could after all do anything he liked in Pharoah's court. His adopted family would focus on the good bits, adopt an editorial approach to his recent killing, and of course forgive him. There would be a life of luxury again. No one would ask questions, no one would question his character or judgement. From now on instead of witnessing the life of Jewish slaves he was forewarned, knew this might prove upsetting and so could choose his company with care.

Instead Moses chose to remain in the wilderness, undertaking a very different kind of journey. Without status, possessions, or an adoring royal court it was possible to feel very small. There was no one else about to say that ignorance and killing another human being didn't matter. Through being thirsty, hungry, and unable to stop the beating sun, Moses gradually came to realise that he was not an everlasting god but human.

Those times of living in the wilderness, even at our local Quaker Meeting can be particularly hard and lonely. Most of us would undoubtedly prefer to live a life of comfort in Pharaoh's court, happily endorsing all those cultural practices which so conveniently make us seem so very Quaker. Our spiritual journey might so easily stop with the bring and share lunch, the company of those who seem very like you or even at the cake stall. Our way forward might so easily involve making a judgement, perhaps even a rash judgement which we later recognise to be wrong. This spiritual journey begins a knowledge of being human. Through suffering, injustice and a full appreciation of our own ignorance, we gain an opportunity to learn.