It didn’t do anything for me: the bright lights, the throw-back fancy dance numbers, the ripped Shah Rukh Khan defying time and age, and certainly not the story.
Speaking of story, let’s tackle that up front, shall we? We know from experience that he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword, so that’s that. And since that was established quite early on, there wasn’t too much left to ponder on that count. And that would have been fine to not have any suspense over the inevitable end had there been something more enduring, something more remarkable, something more redeeming, something a little more ‘raees’ than the very ordinary, very long, and actually very disappointing story altogether.
And so, I shall spare my breath and your attention, and tell you that you’d be better off sparing your twenty bucks, nay, make that more like twenty-five bucks if you think you need to go in with the popcorn or the Raisinets. No “Laila main Laila” however slick the song or the beat is worth your time or energy when there isn’t anything more to hang your hat or your dupatta on.
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The people have made it out of Egypt and they have even escaped the regret and wrath of the Pharaoh. The Red Sea is parted for their swift and safe departure, and Pharaoh’s horsemen who pursue them are swallowed up in the sea as it closes upon them. Imagine the stories that would have been told about this awesome event for generations to come!
And God’s provision continues with them on their journey through the desert. Manna falls down from heaven, and bitter waters are made sweet. About that magical manna, it has a strange quality to it. The people are told to take however much they need or want.
And this is what they observe: 18 And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.
Amazing, isn’t it? That is the beauty of God’s provision: we get just what we need and just when we need it, and God compensates for our lack of judgment when we ask for too much or too little! This very manna was provided to the people day in and day out– for the duration of their time in the desert which was forty years in all.
But forty years is a long time, and there were times when the people questioned Moses’ judgment and even God’s provision. There were those among them who were more disgruntled than others, and there were times when quarrels broke out among the people and Moses was expected to make it all go away.
Well, Moses did what he always did– he would go directly to God and ask for help! And God obliged– time and time again.
Turning next to Matthew, we continue to learn of Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees, the religious folk of the day. A few more parables and direct Q&A with the high-minding folks of the day, and Jesus has not any qualms about telling them his exact opinion — be it on the institution of marriage in the afterlife, or in the business of taxes on this earth. This was one straight-shooting, telling-it-like-it-is man!
Next, we turn to the Psalms, and David’s psalm for the day is yet another intimate one. He yearns for an everlasting union with God, and says this:
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Singing and making music to the Lord. That is David’s desire for himself. May it be mine as well.
Finally, words of instruction from Solomon, wise king of Israel:
20 My son, keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word. Amen.
