My Father Was a Wandering Aramean

When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance … you shall declare before the Lord your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean,” …and you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household. - Deuteronomy 26:1, 5, 11

This was part of Moses’ last teaching to the Israelites before entering the promise land. Part of the story that they found themselves in was the story of a ‘wandering Aramean” - which is a fantastic description of Abraham. It reminds them that they come from somewhere and that someone had no idea where he was going and was not even Jewish himself. It’s a reminder that our pilgrimages through this world all have a lot of wandering in them. In fact, Moses is telling these things to the Israelites at the tail end of their FORTY YEARS of wandering through the deserts of the Arabian peninsula.

Is there some wandering that’s part of your life story or your ancestors’ stories? As we wind our way towards the manger this weekend, it may be helpful to reflect on how circuitous a route we have taken. And then, with that perspective, really lean into the final command, to “rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.”