The story of children of Nagas in scattered places –east, north, south and centre (Kohima) and their hardships and sufferings at the hands of the rulers is one of the epics of all time. The past happenings introduced us to a rapidly enlarging picture of a nation, we call Nagalim. There are still individual heroes, A.Z. Phizo (the Moses of Nagas by Stracey) Khutao Yanthan, Adino Phizo, S.S Khaplang, Issac Swu and Th. Muivah from the south, the Generals and Commanders, the Chaplees and Mothers who led and leading Nagas for the alien bondage: and today we are following a great multitude and not merely one man or one family.
In the Israel history, battles were adventurous- more victorious than defeats. A youth kills lion, carries off the gates of a city and family taken prisoner by enemies. There are Joseph, Joshua and Rahab (Once a prostitute and later became a lineage mother of Jesus). May the heroes of today inspire youths to be conquerors to serve their fellow men and their God.
Think of all that happening in Egypt more than three thousands years ago! I guess we, Nagas are not so different from people who lived then. Slave! The word stung as Amram said it over and over. He well remembered how the cruel guard had stuck him with the whip and called him “Slave of Pharaoh” yes it was true.
Amram went with the gang of slaves to the brickfields. Sweat poured from his aching body as he kneaded the mud, shaped the bricks and laid them in the hot sun to dry. If only he could rest for a few minutes in the shade; but no he must keep moving or guards would make another red welt on his bare back. Some of the men were sick and when beating could not force them to work any more, they were left to die. A cry went up from the gang of workmen that Amram knew well. It was a prayer asking god to remember his people and deliver them from the tortures and slavery of their Egyptian master.
Moses lived in a magnificent palace. Here were wonderful status, rich paintings and furniture of ivory and gold. Moses clothed in fine Lenin garments embroidered in many colors, rode in the royal chariots. He became a General carefully trained to lead the Egyptian cultures; the Price might someday be the king of the mighty nation on the Nile River.
However, all the riches and splendors of the cities and temples, palace of Egypt did not dazzle this youth. He refused to worship the many Gods and also refused to be the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. The terrible slavery of his people troubled him greatly.
When price Moses was about 40 years of age, he left the court of Pharaoh one day determined to see hoe the Israelites were being treated. On the way he noticed a gang of Hebrew slaves building a city for the king. Huge blocks of stone were being dragged into place by thousands of workmen. The sun beat down upon the men and many cried for mercy. Moses went on his way with a sad heart but had not gone far when he came upon an Egyptian guard who was beating a slave unmercifully. Moses knew that the tortured man was one of his people. He became very angry when he thought of many times his own father had been whipped while he toiled for Pharaoh. Perhaps this is the time for me to rescue my people he said to himself.
Jumping from his chariot, He ran and grabbed the guard. The whimping slave fled in terror when he saw this young officer attacking the Egyptian. Moses struck him fierce blow and knocked him to the ground dead. Moses looked in every direction to see if anyone had seen him: but the beaten slave had disappeared so he felt safe. He buried him in sand.
The next day, while he was riding through a country Moses came upon two Israelites quarrelling. He stopped and spoke to the one who was hitting his comrade. “You are both brothers why should you injure each other?” asked Moses.
The man who had struck his fellow Israelite looked at him recognized him as prince then he replied, “Who made you our ruler or judge? Do you mean to kill me as you did that Egyptian yesterday?”
The life of Moses was in peril knowing that his own people did not understand his saving action against the Egyptian guard. He made his decision quickly. Faith in God’s plan made him reply “refuse to be known as son of Pharaoh’s daughter for he preferred sharing the hardships of God’s people to a short life enjoyment sin in Pharaoh’s palace.
Life question- what life are we leading today?
On the desert, Israelites grumbled and they came to Moses and Aaron with their troubles. “o that we had died by the hand of the lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by pots of flesh and had plenty of food to eat”, the Israelites said to them, “For you have brought us into this desert to make this whole crowd die of famine” poor Moses! He had helped the people gain their freedom but now they longed to be back in Egypt as slaves1 he was patient and kind. Again he turned to God for help and the Lord promised food for the hungry throng. The waiting throng rushed for manna and water from the rock.
But there was happiness for only short time. Soon scouts came running to Moses with bad news. A fierce tribe from the desert was coming out to fight against Israel. The savage and cruel Amelikites warriors attacked Israel.
Life question- who is Amelikete(s) among the Nagas today?
Human beings are strange sometimes. Man dreams of getting a lot of fun from money he will have when he robs a bank; but after he gets the money his mind is tortured and he is haunted like wild animal until finally the law catches him this reminds us of the wise words of king Solomon, he said “there is a way which seemeth right unto man but the end thereof are the ways of the death”
We read in the papers about bank robbery, lootings, cheatings, and scans etc. which have become a routine as if the law has sanctioned the illegal acts. A thief cannot be judge a thief. Many have gone down in peril and many are pursuit of short cut to riches. Money, Money, money followed by gun fight.
Life question- money is the root of all evils.
Standing before the whole camp, the rebels shouted against Moses and Aaron, saying, “enough of you!” when Moses had finished speaking, behold the ground under the rebellious leaders spread open and a yawning crack in the earth swallowed them.
Life question: who are Moses and Aaron and who are the rebels?
The King, Balak was furious at Balaam. “Have you treated me” he said. Balaam went home in disgrace without silver or gold. He had longed for the treasures of the wicked king but because he blessed Israel he never received them. If cursing any tribe or any group is legimate then killing is the rule of law sanction by God.
For anything best known to oneself or group or faction: is it god’s sanction to curse one another? Will the blessing come from heaven where there is full of strife and sin? Reality comes when and where there is no shadow no doubt.
God gives us the motto “Nagaland for Christ” to help us look forward to a wonderful event. However in our journey to Kohima, if any tribe (say Tangkhuls) or group of people is a thorn in the flesh of Nagalim then that person (s) will not form pus and cause pain in the body. Under heaven one will find a place to live as a people as Israel lives today. Finally Gods will prevail.
R. Rungsung
Wino Bazar, Ukhrul
