After Caleb and his companions had reconnoitered the Promised Land according to the Book of Numbers, the majority were skeptical about the ability of the Hebrew children to occupy the land. The local Canaanite residents were fierce looking and scary: we felt like mere grasshoppers. In the gospel of Matthew a Canaanite woman (was she also fierce looking and scary?) confronted Jesus and the disciples demanded, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” We recognize these reactions since they are ours as well. When we have to face some problem or difficulty we can “feel like grasshoppers,” overwhelmed that our little selves will never be able to cope. When some person or situation is in our face demanding a response we tend to wish it would go away and just leave us alone. Neither reaction is helpful. We are not grasshoppers when we rely on God but “can do all things through the one who strengthens me.” And facing issues instead of wishing them away is the only path to peace and justice.
