What is Worshiping? By Ishmael
After Queequeg and Ishmael have bonded in Moby Dick they make there way back to their room to prepare for the night. When they are settling down Queequeg begins going through the same idolatrous routine he did the previous night. But before Ishmael didn't know him, and he feigned sleep because he was half curious and half afraid of the man he called "Cannibal." But now, as he watches his friend go through his routine he feels compelled to join him.
By certain signs and symptoms, I thought he seemed anxious for me to join him; but well knowing what was to follow, I deliberated a moment whether, in case he invited me, I would comply or otherwise. I was a good Christian; born and bred in the bosom of the infallible Presbyterian Church. How then could I unite with this wild idolator in worshipping his piece of wood? But what is worship? thought I. Do you suppose now, Ishmael, that the magnanimous God of heaven and earth—pagans and all included—can possibly be jealous of an insignificant bit of black wood? Impossible! But what is worship?— to do the will of God? that is worship. And what is the will of God?— to do to my fellow man what I would have my fellow man to do to me— that is the will of God. Now, Queequeg is my fellow man. And what do I wish that this Queequeg would do to me? Why, unite with me in my particular Presbyterian form of worship. Consequently, I must then unite with him in his; ergo, I must turn idolator. So I kindled the shavings; helped prop up the innocent little idol; offered him burnt biscuit with Queequeg; salamed before him twice or thrice; kissed his nose; and that done, we undressed and went to bed, at peace with our own consciences and all the world.
It is an interesting thought, no? It reminds me of the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5. In verse 18, after Elisha refuses payment from Naaman, Naaman makes a strange (and somewhat idolatrous) request.
"In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.”
Naaman, the same one who was made whole by the God of Elisha is seemingly capitulating. Not ten minutes after his healing and he is ready to participate in idolatrous worship with his boss. My inner evangelical wants to scream at him, "NO! Stand firm for God! Be willing to suffer!" Why would you betray the God who revealed himself as true for the sake of your standing with your 'master?'"
I expected Elisha to agree with me, but all he said was, "Go in peace." The Hebrew says, "Yalak Shalom."
After a moment of confusion I understood that Elisha was telling him that when he goes back into his world that is confusing, and troubling, and idolatrous, he can go with the awareness that God is with him. That's what shalom is; it is not peace as we know it - the absence of trouble - but peace as in the presence of God.
Ishmael and Naaman are helpful reminders of that.