perhaps question is
where are you in your moral
decision making
In the New York Times Opinion Piece (Part of the Conversation Series), NYT Opinion columnist Bret Stephens asks readers to ‘Ponder the meaning of the word “hineni.”’
The word hineni is linked to this definition/explanation of the word.
On several occasions, God asks Adam, Abraham and Moses, “Where are you?” Understood literally, it’s a nonsensical question. If God is all knowing, doesn’t God know where they are?
Perhaps the question isn’t about geographical location. Perhaps instead, God is asking: Where are you in your moral decision making?
The answer “hineni” means: “Here I am ready and waiting to do Your will. Here I am, a partner with You in the eternal covenant between You and our people. How can I fulfill my role more fully?”
Yet the word conveys so much more. To say “hineni” expresses a yearning for a spiritual awakening, a moment, however fleeting, in which we feel close to the heart of the Universe.
It signals the moment when the details of my own life story become one with the story of our people — a legacy I stand ready to pass down to those who follow.
Perhaps instead, God is asking: Where are you in your moral decision making?
What legacy do you stand ready to pass down to those who follow?
Hineni sounds like a dangerous word.
A word not to be taken lightly.
Especially if you accept who is asking the question.
Take us out of today’s legal news cycle.
Take us out of today’s political news cycle.
Take us out of today’s world news cycle.
And put the major players of those news cycles and picture them, not in courtroom, not in a legislative meeting room, not in a war room but in a room where a question is posed to these major players by God.
And God asks, Where are you in your moral decision making?
Okay, so forgot the major players.
How about me?
I am going off to ponder the meaning of the word hineni.
No Haiku For You 