Numbers 11:10-23

S Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel . Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.”

“And say to the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow you will have meat to eat. You were whining, and the Lord heard you when you cried, “Oh, for some meat! We were better off in Egypt !” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will have to eat it. And it won’t be for just a day or two, or for five or ten or even twenty. You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and you have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt ?”

But Moses responded to the Lord, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you say, ‘I will give them meat for a whole month!’ Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”

O The People of Israel and the foreigners who traveled with them in the wilderness were dismayed and tired of eating the manna (small coriander-like seeds). The weeping and complaining was heard throughout the entire camp. Moses himself was also very upset. After crying out to the Lord in protest of his responsibility to shepherd these people—The Lord promises to provide something different to eat. Moses doesn’t believe the Lord and the Lord tells him “oh but I can provide meat for all of you.”

A It’s not as though Moses hadn’t seen any of the Lords power on display before. But now the daily ration of manna was getting old for the travelers and the Israelites. And God promises meat for all? Moses’ response is “How can this be possible?” My response might have been the same. For we’ve heard that God tests our faith at times and surely this was a time of such testing. How long can you be satisfied with what I give you–Jason? Every now and then I need a cold water wake up splash to remind me to be ever thankful for what I have been provided—much of which are beyond the essentials.

As luxuries get put on the back burner, finances squeezed, car upgrades put off, warm-sanded vacations delayed—I can hear the Lord whisper to me, “be thankful with the manna I’ve provided—I’ll take care of you”.

P Father I choose this day to be thankful for what I have been given. When I think of the poor in my town, country and worldwide—I can only feel humbled by what I have been so generously provided. Thank you for all you provide,

your son

Jason

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