Moses and Dr. King: Two Leaders on the Journey to the Promised Land
Va'etchanan
This week's Torah portion, Va'etchanan, commences with Moses beseeching God, yearning to cross over and see the Promised Land beyond the Jordan (Deut. 3:23, 25). Although upset about God's decree that he wouldn't personally enter the Promised Land, Moses found some solace in God's allowance for him to climb Mount Pisgah, look around to every side, and drink in the view of the land he could not enter (Deut. 3:27).
Reflecting on this passage as a Black woman, I am drawn to the poignant parallels in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's monumental speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop." He foretold of challenges to come but remained steadfast in his conviction:
"I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land."
In his words, Dr. King was prophetic, not only about the ultimate attainment of equality and justice – our collective Promised Land – but also about his own destiny. Like Moses, he didn't live to see the full realization of his dream.
Both Moses and Dr. King, exemplary leaders, were denied entrance into the very Promised Land they dedicated their lives to guiding others towards. Their responses, however, diverge markedly. Moses grappled with his destiny, wrestling with God's decree, the people, and his personal circumstances. Conversely, Dr. King accepted his fate with unwavering grace and humility. His focus was not solely on personal attainment but the collective journey and progress of a people. Though he himself didn't reach the Promised Land, his work and enduring legacy propel us forward.
Dr. King was able to learn from Moses' example, drawing insights from the Bible's narrative. He saw how, following Moses' death, Joshua continued the mission, ultimately leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. This biblical understanding likely fortified Dr. King's conviction that his people's journey towards equality and justice would persist, even without his physical presence.
Both Moses and Dr. King bequeathed a world improved from their contributions, even if they were unable to witness the full fruits of their labor. They may not have experienced their respective Promised Lands, but their legacies still reverberate, their lessons continue to guide us, and their dreams still inspire us to persevere in our shared journey towards the Promised Land.
Let us always remember that, even when we face barriers to our own Promised Lands, we retain the power to make a profound difference. Guided by the examples of Moses and Dr. King, we must persist in the pursuit of justice and equality, regardless of the length and difficulty of the journey. Their legacy is a testament to the transformative change we can effectuate, irrespective of whether we personally reach our 'Promised Lands.' Indeed, the journey itself, fraught with trials and tribulations, is part of our collective progress toward a more equitable world.