The first confrontation the Federation has with the Ferengi quickly
becomes a struggle with an unknown force that threatens both ships. Will
they work together to overcome an even more mysterious enemy than
either one is to each other?
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Matthew 10:26
The
Unknown: one of the scariest things many can think of. I'm scared of
the unknown. In this episode we find out that everyone on the Enterprise
is scared too, as well as everyone on board the Ferengi ship. And fear
makes us do some crazy things.
The first scary thing for the
Enterprise is the Ferengi themselves. The two races have never met
before and the distant familiarity has bred some wild rumors about how
disgusting the other people are. We're not OK with not knowing
something, so we make up information to fill in the gaps. Picard tries
to help everyone think clearly about the rumors they've heard and
insists of proceeding with common respect for their fellow beings in the
other ship. This is a frustrating stance, and Picard has to do a couple
face palms as the Ferengi refuse diplomacy, but it's the right thing to
do. Even when it appears that the Enterprise having it's power drained
(they don't know it's the planet yet) Picard does not follow Warf's
advice to fight.
But we quickly find out that the Ferengi are
just as scared of the humans as the humans are of them. The Ferengi
handle their fear by doing their best to run and hide when faced with a
more powerful opponent. They also try to use fear to intimidate. They
only see diplomacy as a weakness even when it's their only option as
their power is being drained as well.
And everyone gets scared
when they discover that they're trapped by a force on the planet instead
of the other ship. The Ferengi never try to overcome their fear. They
meet the Enterprise's away team with violence in mind. How often do we
attack a brother when a situation that threatens us both presents
itself? I'm guilty. I do it with my kids all the time. I've got a wife
who's chronically ill and when that gets overwhelming, I yell at my
kids. Does that make any sense? How does attacking them help me overcome
this other situation that's confusing to me? God of light, help me
trust you! It's fear that drives behavior like that.
So how
should we respond to fear? Especially of the unknown. We have a good
example here in what Picard and Riker did with persistent diplomacy and
defense. But they were still relying on their education and patience.
Where does God come into the picture?
God tells us in Matthew
10:26-28 not to fear other people. Can you believe this is a command?
His reasons are great: His kingdom is real and we will be saved (Matt
10:22) & men can only kill your body (Matt 10:28). So is it a sin to
be scared of someone else?
In Matthew 10:16-18 Jesus tells his followers to beware of men. This
may be a fine line, but we're instructed to follow it. Men deserve
respect and caution because they have the image of God in them. They are
free agents and can potentially do anything.
In this cautionary
instruction we also find that God has the right to command our
emotions! Why does God command us to do something we cannot do? Give us
the 10 commandments right? There's a set of instructions I can follow
(yeah right!). But we think that, don't we? I think Jesus here is
pushing beyond any form of external obedience to our inner landscape to
prove that we cannot measure up and that we need Him. We have to call on
the name of Jesus to live a fearless life. Ungodly fear is worry and we
need to confess it before God and our sibs in Christ.
So what
drives out fear so that we can stop sinning in this area? The Fear of
God. 1 Peter 3:13-16 talks about this. Ungodly fear is an idol in our
heart. It harmonizes well with the big three: money, power, and fame. As
we move through the world and meet one confusing scary thing after
another, let us continually invite the Lord back on the throne of our
heart!
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for
what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you
will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your
hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a
defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so
that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in
Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:13-16
"Behold, I
am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as
serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you
over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be
dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before
them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how
you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will
be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the
Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother
over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against
parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my
name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When
they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to
you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the
Son of Man comes. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant
above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher,
and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark,
say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the
housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the
soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are
not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the
ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all
numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many
sparrows." Matthew 10:16-31
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