January 29

Numbers 11:4
“And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?”— Num. 11:44And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? (Numbers 11:4).
THE people of Israel, influenced by the murmurings of the mixed multitude, despised the manna and complained because they had no other food. They lusted for the delicacies of Egypt, but they forgot the taskmasters’ whips. When people get out of fellowship with God, the things of the world become attractive again. But Israel’s backslidings brought judgment, and this is ever the result of departure in heart from the Lord (Prov. 14:1414The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (Proverbs 14:14)).
“When our soul is much discouraged
By the roughness of the way,
And the cross we have to carry
Seemeth heavier every day;
When some cloud that overshadowed
Hides our Father’s face from view,
Oh, ‘tis well then to remember
He has blessed us hitherto.
Looking back the long years over
What a varied path! And yet,
All the way His hand has led us,
Placed each hindrance we have met;
Given to us the pleasant places’—
Cheered us all the journey through,
Passing through the deepest waters,
He has blessed us hitherto.”
―L. Oakley.