And in Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, we find a fascinating discussion about fear, faith, and the ultimate stability of the divine.
The passage opens with a powerful statement: "Therefore, we will not fear when the land is exchanged." But what does it mean? How can anyone remain unafraid when the very foundation of existence seems to crumble?
The Sons of Korah, a group known for their musical and prophetic abilities (they even have several psalms attributed to them!), offer a comforting perspective. They reassure us, "Do not fear him, for the day is coming when the Holy One, blessed be He, will shake the wicked from the earth." They’re referencing Job 38:13, which speaks of God taking hold of the "ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it." A cosmic housecleaning, if you will!
And it doesn't stop there. Isaiah 65:17 promises, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth." A complete renewal! But where do the righteous stand during such a monumental upheaval? Deuteronomy 4:4 offers solace: "But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day." Those who remain close to God will endure.
The Sons of Korah then point to their own history as proof. Remember the story of Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16? The earth opened up and swallowed Korah and his followers as punishment. “And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up” (Numbers 16:32). But the Sons of Korah survived! "And where were we at that time?" they ask. "We were in the air." And as Numbers 26:11 states, "And the sons of Korah died not."
Now, Rabbi Nehemiah offers a slightly different interpretation. He suggests that instead of being miraculously suspended in the air, the Holy One, blessed be He, stood them upright "like the mast of a ship" at the very moment the earth opened. Imagine that image! A testament to divine protection amidst utter chaos. Numbers 26:10 reinforces this with the phrase, "And they shall be a sign." A sign of what? Of God's unwavering support for those who remain faithful.
The Sons of Korah reiterate their message: "Do not fear, for we know what the Holy One, blessed be He, has done for us. We will not fear when the land is exchanged."
The passage concludes with a quote from Isaiah 54:10: "For the mountains shall depart." Even the most seemingly permanent fixtures of the world can be moved, but faith… faith can remain.
So, what are we to take away from this ancient teaching? It’s not about denying the reality of change or the presence of fear. It's about anchoring ourselves to something greater than the shifting sands of earthly existence. It’s about remembering that even when everything around us seems to be collapsing, the divine presence offers a lifeline, a steadfastness that transcends the chaos. Maybe, just maybe, that's a message we can all use today.