Under the Cloud

Have you ever been in a crisis?  What helped you get through the crisis? Today we examine Israel in crisis in the wilderness... Unfortunately, the fire at  Taberah   which affected  the complainers  on  the outskirts of camp did not reach the hearts of the people, for in the next verse of Numbers 11 we read, “the rabble with them began to crave other food.” The Israelites wailed, saying they had plenty in Egypt, lots of variety, and fish at no cost.  They were complaining about the bread from heaven.  The Lord became exceedingly angry.  Moses was  greatly troubled .  Moses asked God what he had done wrong to deserve the burden of these people.  They kept wailing for meat.  They were angry at Moses!  Moses asked God to put him to death.  This is a real crisis!      This complaining is reminiscent of last week's blog.  Also, we see in  Exodus 16  when Israel initially complained about food and  Exodus 21  when the people first spurned manna as detestable.  Provision of

I live in America.  The land of plenty.  I have the hope of heaven.  I have nothing to complain about.  But sometimes I do complain.  The Israelites find out quickly that complaining dishonors God.  Let that message sink into your heart today. Right  from the start , Numbers 11 starts with the Israelites complaining!   There was  a joyous vibe  in  Numbers 10 because  it was time to move out.  Here  they sh ould all be exhilarated to think they were finally going to take the Promised Land.  Instead, they started complaining about their hardships.  Verse 1 said they complained “in the hearing of the Lord.” Can’t the Lord hear everywhere, everything?  Matthew Henry explains the  statement in this way: “ Though God graciously gives us leave to complain to him when there is cause ( Psalm 142:2 ), yet he is justly provoked, and takes it very ill, if we complain of him when there is no cause…”   What do you think the Israelites complained about?   They were in the desert;  mayb