Scripture: Numbers 11:4-23a; Quail From the Lord
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 handmill 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.”
16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.
18 “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. 19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”‘”
21 But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ 22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
23 The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?
- The Israelites grumbled and complained against Moses, saying, “If only…” With our current situation in the world, it would be easy to complain…’ if only the grocery stores weren’t overrun if only our kids could get back to school, if only we couldn’t go to the Church on Sunday…” Let’s strive to stay positive and bring our cares and concerns to the Lord, trusting in His goodness and provision.
- Even Moses needed some help – he couldn’t do it all on his own. It’s OK to ask for help. We are called to help carry each other’s burdens. Today, someone may help carry yours. Next week, you may help carry someone else’s. Reach out if you need help!
- To help Moses, God placed some of the power of the Spirit that had been given to Moses onto 70 leaders. The Holy Spirit empowers us to get through difficulties. The Holy Spirit also helps us to know the Lord is near.
- God told Moses that he would provide quail for the people – so much so, it would be coming out of their nostrils! Moses questioned God. God replied, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?” That was a rhetorical question. God’s arm is long, and His grace is sufficient; God’s hand be upon during these days.
“Social distancing doesn’t equate to spiritual distancing”; use this time to draw nearer to the Lord and God’s Word, and God will draw closer to you.
Be Encouraged Today,
Pastor Chris