Numbers 11:31-3531And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. 32And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. 33And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. 34And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. 35And the people journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth. (Numbers 11:31‑35)
ISRAEL in their unbelief had sunk 1 down to the level of the mixed multitude — the strangers who had followed them out of Egypt and lusted. They were really in heart looking back into Egypt, like Lot’s wife, escorted by the angels from the doomed cities of the plain. An object of mercy and grace, surrounded by angelic care still her heart went back to Sodom. She neither appreciated the goodness of God in sparing her nor did she believe that the threatened judgment upon Sodom was so near at hand. She looked back, and she became “a pillar of salt” — a standing witness of the folly of unbelief. How solemn for our days are the words of the Lord Jesus: “Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:3232Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32).
It is a solemn thing to consider that if in unbelief we insist on having something, God may give it to us. But often there is a vast difference between God’s mind and what He allows. Perhaps a young Christian might desire something which the Lord knows would not be good for him. Where the heart is not humble one might even persist in prayer for it, till at length God may allow him to have what he sought after. But it is only to reap the sorrow that comes from self-will and the heart insisting on having its own way.
So it was with Israel. God showed that He was able to supply the people with flesh as He had said. He sent a wind which brought the quails from the sea in countless numbers.
When quails migrate it is said, they do not seem to be able to fly against the wind, so they wait for a favorable breeze. After a lengthy flight they become tired and can be easily knocked down or captured. On this occasion the quails flew two cubits or about three feet above the earth, and they fell in thick heaps all around the camp, so the people gathered them in great quantities. They gathered them greedily all day and all night, and all the next day. They forgot the warning of the Lord — and while they were greedily eating the meat, but forgetting the mighty One who sent it, the Lord struck them with a very great plague, so that many of them died. God was displeased with them for their unbelief.
How much better had it been if they had ceased their murmurings and humbled themselves before God. But alas, in spirit they were far from God and they took their own way, as if they knew better than He did what was good for them. No doubt they flattered themselves at His answer to their request. But it was a sorrowful answer He sent them. “He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psa. 106:1515And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. (Psalm 106:15).
And Moses called the place Kibroth — hattaavah, which means “the graves of lust,” because there they buried the people who lusted, that is, who wished for the meat and melons of Egypt. And they left this place of their sin and sorrow, and traveled on to Hazeroth. Surely Israel’s lessons in the wilderness were written for our learning.
ML-08/26/1973