GOOD MORNING AMERICA – The lake, which provides 40 million Americans with water, has reached its lowest levels since the lake was created in the 1930s and has been exacerbated due to climate change.
Israel Faces Scarcity of Water in the Desert
3rd Sunday of Lent (A)
The state of California is facing one of the worst droughts in history, and the water levels in Lake Mead have dropped significantly.
The passage from Exodus 17:3-7 tells the story of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, where they faced a scarcity of water. The people complained to Moses, saying, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Moses prayed to God, and God instructed him to strike a rock with his staff, and water gushed out of the rock, providing relief and salvation to the thirsty Israelites.
The video at the top of this page focuses on Lake Mead, which provides water to 40 million Americans, is at its lowest level since its creation in the 1930s. The lake has dropped 25 feet this year alone due to drought, making relics from the last 80 years, such as a World War II-era ship and a sunken Higgins boat used for scuba diving, emerge from the lake. Climate change is a contributing factor, with scientists warning that the current 22-year drought would have only been seven years in the absence of human-caused climate change. The Bureau of Reclamation is giving states that use the water 60 days to come up with an emergency plan, or they’ll have to make cuts that could change farms in the desert. Experts warn that food prices could rise due to the limited water supply.
The story of the Israelites’ thirst in the wilderness is a powerful metaphor for our current situation. We are facing a scarcity of water, and we are thirsty for relief. The passage also teaches us an important lesson about faith and trust in God. When the Israelites faced their thirst, they did not lose hope or faith in God. Instead, they turned to Moses, who in turn prayed to God, and God provided a miracle.
Today, we too must have faith and trust in God, and pray for rain and relief from drought. It is easy to lose hope and become discouraged, but we must remember that God is with us always, and he will provide for us if we have faith.
Furthermore, the passage also highlights the importance of cooperation and community. When the Israelites were thirsty, they did not turn on each other or hoard the little water they had. Instead, they came together and asked for help. Similarly, in times of drought, we must come together as a community and make sacrifices, conserve water, and work together to find solutions.
Finally, the passage reminds us that God wants us to live in harmony with nature and each other. Water is a precious resource, and we must respect it and use it wisely. We cannot take it for granted, or abuse it. We must use it wisely, sustainably, and justly. That means supporting policies and practices that respect and protect our natural resources, and work towards a sustainable future for all.
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