Cantankerous Pilgrims

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Opening Prayer

Creator God, I cannot begin to fathom all You have made and how it all works together. I respond in awe and wonder to You.

Read NUMBERS 11:1-15

^[1] Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. ^[2] When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down. ^[3] So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the LORD had burned among them. ^[4] The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! ^[5] We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost-also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. ^[6] But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” ^[7] The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. ^[8] The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. ^[9] When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down. ^[10] Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. ^[11] He asked the LORD, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? ^[12] Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? ^[13] Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ ^[14] I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. ^[15] If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me-if I have found favor in your eyes-and do not let me face my own ruin.”

Meditate

An old saying runs, “Nostalgia is remembering the joy but forgetting the pain” (4-6). It is so easy to have a distorted perspective on the past.

Think Further

Today’s incident takes place three days into the trek from Mount Sinai toward Canaan. Thousands of people are marching in order, with tribal standards flying. The Ark of the Covenant borne by Levites forms the vanguard (10:11-36), while the cloud of the Lord leads the way. A spirit of triumphant optimism pervades, for “the Lord has promised good things to Israel” (10:29).

Three days into the inhospitable desert, however, optimism implodes into discontent (4-6). A year earlier the people had also complained bitterly about lack of food. Then manna was divinely provided. Now the people complain again. This time the daily diet of manna has become monotonous (6). We, in our cuisine-loving Western society, find it easy to sympathize.

Grumbling is still a blight that blots many churches. Following up Paul’s point that the Israelites are a warning to us (1 Cor. 10:10), there are four reasons why grumbling among Christians can be deadly. First, it is infectious. A dissatisfied minority (“the rabble,” 4) can contaminate a whole community. Second, it is disorienting. Perspective is distorted. Memories of Egyptian cuisine block out recollections of cruel suffering (5). Third, it is censorious. It leads to fault-finding and breeds rejection of God-given leadership (11-15). Fourth, it is disastrous. Today’s episode is the lead story in a series of accounts in Numbers in which every section of the pilgrim community rebels against God’s provision and purpose, resulting in a whole adult generation (apart from two men) forfeiting the privilege of entering the Promised Land. James warns us that grumbling still merits divine judgment (James 5:9). Paul urges us to bear with one another and to forgive any we may have a grievance against. Since Jesus has forgiven us, how can we fail to forgive others (Col. 3:13)?

Apply

Do you think others would describe you as a complainer? Resolve today to speak positively rather than negatively.

Closing prayer

Loving Father, I am well aware that forgiveness is a biggie with You. I have received Your forgiveness; I ask for Your grace to forgive others.

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