I have just been reading Chapters 13 and 14 in the book of Numbers. It’s an intriguing story of the Israelites’ first encounter with the Promised Land.
Twelve people, the elite of their various tribes, were sent out examine the land, its people, food, fortifications and the like. After 40 days, they reported back to the entire assembly. Ten of the 12 gave various reasons why they thought it would be impossible to enter and conquer the land as God had promised.
These reports struck fear into the hearts of the people and they turned on Moses, Aaron and sought to replace them as leaders. Many wanted to stone them. Their grumblings constantly comparing their enslaved state in Egypt favourably to the prospect of facing the fearsome people who occupied the land.
The remaining two, Joshua and Caleb, felt sure of success, given the support that God had always provided on their journey from Egypt. As most of you would know, God was not pleased with this lack of faith and respect.
The “timid ten” were dispatched immediately and the rest of the Israelites were sent to wander in the desert for another 40 years, while everyone except Joshua and Caleb, died in the desert.
As I read, I recognized some parallels with our current situation in Barbados, the region and many parts of the world.Â
First of course, is the number of people who are examining and commenting focused on the diminished creature comforts caused by the current economic situation. There are those who are saying there are opportunities to prosper but I am not sure it’s as many as 20 per cent.
Far too many are hesitant, fearful and hostile toward those who advocate drastic departures from the status quo. I don’t for a moment believe we will “perish in the desert” but I do believe our failure to recognize what God has provided, has us chasing our tails.
Why do we choose strategies and approaches that avoid admitting that poor performance may have more to do with leadership and outmoded structures than people’s unwillingness to work? The dilemma of making omelettes without breaking eggs is as ancient as humanity.
I will once again suggest that, unlike the Israelites, we have no clear definition of the “promised land”. There is much speculation about market forces, investor motivation, hostility toward our tax treaties, airlift, and the amount and type of accommodations needed.
This week, another Budget will be laid before the people, containing remedies that correspond to these various elements.
If tradition holds, these policies and plans will once again be presented without a clear destination in mind.
There will of course, be the obligatory incremental adjustments but little that acknowledges the presence of an uplifting “promised land”. I would love to be proven wrong because it is the confidence of the people that needs to be restored.
What should Barbados be known as, by whom, by when?
When we can get agreement on the answers to these questions wrapped into a statement of no more than 25 words; we will have described our “Promised Land”.
Incidentally, anything that is less than 18 months and more than 36 months, will be too weak to mobilize the necessary commitment, energy and resources.
Let’s pray for God’s help.
