Numbers 11:6-146But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. 7And the manna was as coriander seed, and the color thereof as the color of bdellium. 8And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. 9And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. 10Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favor in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. (Numbers 11:6‑14)
The children of Israel soon forgot the wondrous deliverance the Lord had wrought for them in Egypt. They forgot that they were staves there, and of how they had longed for deliverance, and now they only remembered the food of that place from which the Lord must wean them. Dear young reader, how is it with you? If your heart is not filled with Christ, if you are not enjoying His love, get into His presence now, in prayer, and tell Him all about it. Have it out with him, owning all that has come in to rob your soul of this blessed portion, and think of the great things He has done for you. Think of His love until your heart is warmed with it, and overflows in thanksgiving and loving service to Him. It is our hearts He wants—and surely He has done everything to win them.
Having become tired of the flavor of the manna, the children of Israel started to grind it in mills and beat it in a mortar. Then they baked it in pans in order to get a little variation, but this only spoiled it, for when it was first given in Exodus 16 it tasted like “wafers made with honey,” but when it had been “fixed up” in these various ways its sweetness was gone, and it tasted like fresh oil. How this reminds us of the attempt on every hand today to try, by various means, to make the things of God more attractive to the natural heart of man. All kinds of entertainments are introduced to attract people. Instead of the old faithful preaching there is an attempt to “tone it down,” or to make it interesting to the intellect, thus robbing it of that freshness, and sweetness—and power which is ever found when the truth is presented in its simplicity by the Spirit. Oh that we knew more of that feeding upon Christ which would enable us to bring Him—Christ Himself—before those with whom we come in contact. It is this that is needed, just as here when the people were complaining, grinding and baking the manna, it still continued to fall as before.
The Lord was angry with the people, and Moses was displeased. Alas, Moses became weary of his responsibilities. He had listened to his father-in-law some time before, when he told him he had too great a responaibility, and now he mentions the same thing of his own accord. How often we are influenced by relatives who would hinder that full devotedness to Christ, and who tell us the path is too difficult. Then, too, if we are not watchful, we follow their suggestions to our loss. We may be sure that God will never give us more to do than we can do with His help. Moses said that he could not bear the burden of the people all alone, but this the Lord had never asked. Him to do. The Lord had said, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest,” (Exodus 33:1414And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exodus 33:14)) and surely if he had realized that the Lord was with him, and had been enjoying that rest which His presence gives, he would not have complained of the burden. God can do without any of us, or find more workmen if He wishes, as He did here, but it is a privilege to serve Him. Let us never complain of the burdens He gives us to bear, nor feel we have too hard a task, for He wants us to be “workers together with Him,” (2 Cor. 6:11We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (2 Corinthians 6:1)) —blessed privilege—true rest!
ML 09/16/1951