According to tradition, it's going to be quite the leadership gathering.
Legends tell us that in that Messianic era, Moses himself will be one of the seven shepherds guiding Israel, right alongside the Messiah. Think about that for a moment. Moses! Back in the fold, helping to lead the way to a perfected world. It’s an amazing thought, isn’t it?
But let's rewind a bit, back to the very beginning of Moses's incredible journey. Remember that burning bush?
As the story goes, when Moses famously "turned aside to see the great sight, that the bush was not consumed," he heard a voice booming out, "Draw not nigh hither." (Exodus 3:5). Simple enough, right? But there's so much more layered into those words.
According to the ancient sages, this wasn't just a warning about getting too close to a divine phenomenon. It was a profound lesson about humility, leadership, and knowing your place. The message, they say, was that the immense dignity and honor God intended for Moses was meant for him and him alone. It wasn't something to be passed down to his descendants as an inherited right.
More than that, Moses was being cautioned, in a way, not to overstep. He was being warned "not to arrogate honors appointed for others," as Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews beautifully puts it. See, the priesthood? That was destined for Aaron and his lineage. And royalty? That belonged to David and his royal house.
It's a crucial reminder, isn’t it? Even for someone as chosen and powerful as Moses, there were boundaries. There was a divine order to things. We all have our unique roles to play. Our own burning bushes, if you will. And it's up to us to recognize them, to step up, but also to respect the roles and callings of others.
So, next time you read the story of the burning bush, remember it's not just about a miraculous flame. It's a lesson in humility, boundaries, and the beautiful tapestry of leadership that God weaves throughout history. And perhaps a glimpse into that future era, when figures like Moses will once again guide us.