Numbers 11:5-155We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: 6But 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. 15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. (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. 33:1414And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exodus 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. 9:88And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:8).
ML-08/12/1973