When Silence is Wisdom

Torah Portion B’Shalach, Exodus 13:17−17:16, Haftarah, Judges 4:4 – 5:31

“Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”  Exodus 14.11-12 NKJV

The Bible is an economical book, never wasting words.  And so, it is both surprising and significant that Moses included the speech above.  Its transcribed words serve witness against those who prefer servitude to salvation. When faced with impossible waves before them, and an army behind, they kavetched, “Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians”.

Moses exhorted them to not be afraid, to stand still, to see the salvation of the Lord.  But his last exhortation was key to gaining victory. The Message translation  captures the Hebrew.

“God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!”  Exodus 14.14 MSG

“Keep your mouths shut!” 

Those words caused a collective hush to fall on the camp. The U.S. slogan of WWII, “loose lips sink ships”, might easily have been adapted at the Exodus. Silence can be critical to victory.  Solomon admonished us in Ecclesiastes that there is, “A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak.”  Ecclesiastes. 3.7 NKJV

How tempting it is to speak doubts of, “I told you so”, when it the enemy attacks.  Scripture enjoins us to silence at critical times.  I have often given messages about make our voices heard, and there is a time for that.  Rarely, have I spoken of Scriptures admonitions of silence. Yet, the Torah Portion B’Shalach, sees silence as military strategy. For the next few moments let us explore the wisdom, faith, and honor of silence.

I. When Silence is Wisdom

“Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom!” Job 13.5 NKJV

Job’s comforters gathered beside their sick friend, not saying a word.  That vacuum was deafening until someone finally spoke. What is it about silence that we dislike? We may go to funerals or sit shiva with mourners wondering, what to say.   Even our desire to be “a listening ear”, may not be helpful.  Job said, “silence is your wisdom”.

When you do not have a prompting from God, say nothing.   Your presence speaks for itself in those moments.

Those of Israel who spoke doubt did not REALLY want to live in servitude.  They too sacrificed the lamb, placed the blood on the doorposts, left in haste. They were expressing doubt as a form of self-pity.  The Hebrew word Moses used was harsher than simply not speaking. Cheresh describes forgoing the urge to speak for a desired outcome.  Silence becomes wisdom when we are offended at a family gathering.  Silence is wisdom when refusing to defend attacks on social media, Our words are on display to the multitudes and likely generations to come. Not only can silence be wisdom, but it can also speak faith.

II. When Silence is Faith

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”  Exodus 14.15 NKJV

Silence is a military strategy.  Mighty warships and submarines in ocean depths often maintain “radio silence”.    They do not give away their position to the enemy.   Moses commanded the people’s silence for they were spiritually losing the battle, creating doubt in the ranks, a giving comfort to the enemy’s position.  Rather than verbalizing our fears, being still and allowing God to work a miracle is a sign of faith.

Did Moses respond differently than the people?   Not much.   He verbalized his fear in prayer.  God asked Moses, “Why do you cry to me?”  Victory came when the people stopped the chatter and focused on the Lord’s command to advance.  Yes, but the waters are in front of me.  Lift your rod and see what God will do.  Yes, but the enemy is behind me.   True but the fire of God is between you and the enemy.

Please do not misunderstand. Our situation may look very different from Israel’s.  Yes, prayer is vital.  Even expressing worry and praying one for another can be healthy.   But there are times when we must do as Job, placing our hand over our mouth, to hear God.

III. When Silence is Honor

Isaiah, in the year Uzziah died, went to the Temple.   This time was different.   The manifest presence of God was overwhelming.  He saw God, high and lifted up, as His glory filled the space.   Immediately, Isaiah realized his lips were unclean.

A mighty revival broke out on Azusa, St, in Los Angeles, California.   The Pastor, a black man, named William Seymour, often placed his head in a box beside the pulpit as waves of the glory of God swept through that humble mission.  Soon the hungry masses crowded daily into that holy space.  At times visiting preachers came.  Preachers love to give a word.  Not knowing how to interact in such a holy moment and seeing the pastor with his head in the box, often a preacher would seize the pulpit to speak.  Witnesses said, these men could only speak a sentence or two, before they too fell silent.

 “Woe unto me”, Isaiah cried, “I am a man of unclean lips”.  Until the Seraph flew, placing a live coal from the altar on his lips, was he able to say.  Hinneni – Here am I, send me.   Silence in a holy moment where the pillar of fire and the column of smoke of God’s glory is an act of worship and honor to God.   Are we ready for such a holy moment?

Conclusion

Like Israel, we are facing change.   Tech giants, and governments are waging war on dissent.   Those of Israel who cried, “It is better to be a slave than to die following God” would have led the masses back to bondage. When you do not know how God’s promises will come to pass, be still and know that He is God.   When your mind tells you that freedom is beyond your reach, allow God to fight your battle, and quiet your spirit in Him.   When a hopeless diagnosis comes, call out in faith, but give no voice to fear.   What ever you face this week, know that if God be for you, who can stand against you!

Shavua Tov from Zion