Numbers 11:5-15
“THE CHILDREN of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: but now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, besides this manna, before our eyes.”
They had complained before, but this was worse. In despising the manna they despised the grace of God; they were blind to all the gracious goodness He had shown toward them. They seek something else than God gave them as the most suited and perfect food for the way. How sad it would be if God were to give His people some food which would attach them to earth. But God in His perfect wisdom gave them manna from heaven, for in spite of their complaining and despising “when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.”
Israel remembered the fish, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic of Egypt — things of earth enjoyed there — but they foot the slavery, the bricks and the lashes. Satan does not bring to our remembrance the miseries of this world, but that which the flesh delights to indulge in. But God in His love does not give that which would cause us to settle down and be happy here and at the same time forget that we are in the wilderness and only marching through it.
When the manna fell each morning it was a token of God’s loving remembrance of His people. If He had, say, given the manna just once a month, He would have shown His love but once, not every day. But God shows us moment by moment how much He loves us, and the believer receives His gifts while loving the One who gives them. If we are not content to see the manna every morning, we really despise His love. May we know more and more what it is to be wholly dependent on God. Moses was both displeased and discouraged by the people’s murmurings and here he failed in faith. The responsibility of carrying the burden of such a multitude on his shoulders was too much for him. He said, “I am not able to bear all this people alone.” But the Lord did not ask him to do so. Surely God was able. Could not Moses trust Him and find in Him all the strength and wisdom needed for his task. We may blame Moses in this, but how many there are who will not trust the Lord for salvation, and many when saved cannot trust Him for their daily needs. But, “the Lord is good, happy is the man who trusteth in Him.”
Moses forgot that the difficulty was before God, and that it concerned Him. The disciples in the ship tossed in the midst of the waves were afraid, but could they perish if they were with Jesus? God will never give us more to do than we can with His strength. God had said to Moses, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Ex. 33:14. Surely if he had realized that the Lord was with him, and had been enjoying the rest which His presence gives, he would not have complained of the burden. God can do without any of us, but He gives us the precious privilege of serving Him. Then may we never complain of the burden He gives us to bear, nor feel we have too hard a task, for “God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” 2 Cor. 9:8.
ML-08/12/1973