During the month of August, I attended the online Bible Study on the book of Numbers. It has been a long time since I read this book and once again, I’m astounded by the Israelites’ grumbling and ungrateful hearts. The audacity they had, throwing God’s blessings back in his face! He provided them with bread from Heaven. The manna was a complete meal delivered as only God could provide, and it wasn’t good enough! How quickly they lost perspective!
IF ONLY WE HAD MEAT TO EAT!!!!
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “IF only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost-also the cucumbers, melons, leeks onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but manna!” (Numbers 11:4-6)
THEY WANTED TO RETURN TO EGYPT
Really, fish at no cost? As slaves, weren’t they working for free under harsh conditions? Imagine a grueling day of back-breaking work before having to fish and harvest for dinner. Not quite the country club experience they repainted in the complaints. God’s love for them showed up time and time again, but it wasn’t enough. They wanted to return to Egypt, back into slavery for fish and vegetables. Even though their hearts were far from God, he answered their petition. Not as a blessing but as a punishment.
“WHY DID WE EVER LEAVE EGYPT?”
“Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”” (Numbers 11:18-20)
LOTS OF COMPLAINING
Throughout the eleventh chapter of Numbers, the Israelites do a lot of complaining. I wonder, “What is wrong with these people?” Then I look inward and see I’m guilty too of the nasty, human trait of complaining and grumbling at the slightest offence. Left unchecked, the complaints become habitual. Soon we are as guilty of insulting God as the Israelites. Their complaints showed their heart condition: wanting to return to Egypt, rather than living in freedom with supernatural provisions.
So how are we doing in the complaint department?
- When we complain about aggressive drivers, shouldn’t we be thanking God for our cars and traveling mercies?
- When we complain about the news or politics, shouldn’t we be thanking God for freedom?
- When we complain about the price of groceries, shouldn’t we be grateful for not going to bed hungry?
What other situations can we add to the list of pet peeves and complaints that need redirected? Or are you able to stay grateful under less than desirable circumstances? While we are all in different spots along the journey, my hope is that we can stay thankful for the manna.
FORGIVE US WHEN WE WHINE
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive us when we whine. Help us to keep our hearts turned toward you. Let us use the example of the Israelites as a reminder of how easily we can slip into ingratitude. May we stop and reflect on your goodness and daily provisions. Thank you for your gift of salvation, your gift of eternal life, and the good gifts you provide while living here on earth. Let us appreciate the manna. Amen.