The Israelites started complaining
again, something that they were very good at. First they complained
about the hardship they had to bear and God punished them for it as
we saw last week. Then they started to complain about the manna
that God gave them.
"Oh, for some meat!" They
exclaimed. "We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in
Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and
garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone, and day after day
we have nothing to eat but this manna!" Numbers 11:5, 6
They complained about God's
provision, instead of going to Him and asking Him politely for a
variation of the manna He provided. Plus they had the audacity to
long back to Egypt! Suddenly they remembered all the good things
that they had in Egypt and forgot all about the terrible beatings
and torture that they had to endure at the hand of Pharaoh. They
conveniently forgot all about that and complained about what they
had now. They witnessed the miracle of manna every morning when
they woke up, but it wasn't good enough anymore. They wanted
more.
It was quite shocking for me when I
read this, how could they complain so much? But then I realized
that I would most probably have done the same. Unfortunately I have
to admit it. Have you ever tried to go on a diet of Pronutro and
fruit/vegetables for two years? Pronutro has all the vitamins and
minerals that you need and combined with fruit/vegetables and water
you are good to go! I don't know if I will last a month! Maybe I
would if I made a promise to God, or if I am fasting, I would but I
don't think I will make a year, never mind two years! We are just
as bad as they were and therefore we need to learn the lesson God
wants us to learn here. I am convinced that these 'stories' are in
the Bible to help us to not to make the same mistakes that they
did.
First of all, be grateful for what
you have, instead of longing for what you don't have. We all have
so much to be grateful for, health, a job, friends, family, food,
children etcetera. If you have a car, don't long for a better one,
if you have a house, be grateful, if you are healthy, praise the
Lord, if you have plenty of friends, cherish them, if you have
food, thank God for it, if you have children, don't compare them to
other children. Of course we can have dreams and plan towards it,
but first be grateful with what you have. And second of all, go to
God before you start complaining about things to your loved ones as
I discussed last week. Talk the problem over with Him and receive
His guidance and help.
But above all remember, don't
complain recklessly to your friends and wish for something
'better', you might just get what you ask for and it could have
grave consequences like it did for the Israelites. God sent them
meat, but He sent a plague along with it.
'So the people went out and caught
quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day
too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They spread the quail
out all over the camp. But while they were still eating the meat,
the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and He caused a
severe plague to break out among them. So that place was called
'the graves of craving' - because they buried the people there who
had craved meat from Egypt.' Numbers 11:32 - 35
Father thank you so very much for
all that You have graciously given us! You are bountiful in mercy
and grace and we love You so much! Please forgive us if we do
complain, we have so much to be grateful for. Thank you Lord. Amen