We’re promised something amazing, something life-changing, but a little part of us whispers, "Show me. Just a little sign."
That tension is ancient. And it’s right there, simmering, in a fascinating passage from the Midrash of Philo. Here, we see a figure grappling with a divine promise. He's seeking a sign, a ratification. But it’s not a simple request. Philo, interpreting the biblical text, unpacks the complexities of this desire.
According to Philo, two things are worthy of examination here. First, is the believer's affection of the mind—the emunah, the belief in God according to His literal word. That initial faith is crucial. But then comes the second point: this overwhelming desire not to be left wanting signs. It's a deep-seated need to feel, with our very senses, a confirmation of the promise. Think about it – how often do we crave that tangible reassurance?
The person making this request offers profound respect to the one making the promise, addressing him as "Lord." "For by this title," Philo writes, the person says, "I know thee to be the Lord and prince of all things, who art also able to do all things, and there is no disability with thee." In other words, there's an acknowledgement of God's power and sovereignty. It's not a challenge; it’s an affirmation.
But then comes the vulnerability. "But in truth," the person continues, "if I have already given credence to thy promise, still I nevertheless wish to obtain speedily if not a completion of it, yet at all events some evident signs by which its consummation may be indicated." It’s like saying, "I believe you, I really do. But my human nature yearns for a glimpse of what's to come."
There’s a raw honesty here. The person admits, "in truth I am thy creature, and even if I were to arrive at the highest degree of excellence, I am not always able to restrain the violence of my desire, so as not, when I have seen or heard anything good, to be contented with obtaining it slowly and not immediately.” Sound familiar? We’re impatient creatures!
The passage ends with a plea: "therefore I entreat that thou wilt give me some means of knowledge, by which I may comprehend those future events." It's not about demanding proof to create belief, but about seeking understanding to sustain it.
This Midrash of Philo touches upon something deeply human: the struggle to reconcile faith with our innate desire for tangible evidence. It reminds us that questioning, seeking, and yearning for reassurance aren't necessarily signs of weakness, but rather expressions of our very human condition as we strive to connect with the Divine. So, what do you do when that need for a sign arises? How do you balance faith with the human desire to know?