WE saw in our last paper, that the people began again to complain, and this so displeased the Lord that He caused His fire to burn among them, and many were consumed. For the moment they were subdued; but alas they were soon drawn into greater sin; and this was through evil association, A “mixed multitude” of people had accompanied them on their journey, and through the lust and evil influence of these people, the children of Israel began again their murmurs; and these murmurs grew so strong that they even spoke against God. They said, “Who shall give us flesh to eat?” —and, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Ps. 78:19.) They did not believe in God; they did not trust in His salvation; and so the anger of the Lord was again kindled against them, and Be sent this word to them through Moses, “The Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.” He let them know, however, that what they were so much longing after would become utterly loathsome to them. They should eat until the flesh would come out at their nostrils, because they had “despised the Lord” who was among them, and having grown tired of the bread which God had rained down from heaven for them, their hearts were turning back to Egypt. All this was very, very sad.
Be warned, dear young readers, and beware of the “mixed multitude.” You, who are on the way to the heavenly Canaan, should not find companionship in those who have not the land of promise before them. The company of Egyptians proved a snare to Israel, and so will the companionship of worldly ones prove a snare to you. If you mingle with such, you will soon find that Christ, the bread of life, is not enough to satisfy you; your heart will turn back to the pleasures of the world, even as Israel in heart turned back to Egypt, and were thinking of the flesh, the cucumbers, the melons, leeks and onions on which they had feasted there.
Which is satisfying to your soul—Christ, or the pleasures of the world? If you wish not to reap a harvest of sorrow, turn away, I beg of you, from worldly associates, and do not allow these lusts of the flesh, which would feed upon worldly pleasures. Feed upon that blessed One who can satisfy the longings of your soul—upon that One who has said, “He that cometh to Me shall never hunger.” And “make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
ML 02/28/1904