Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. 3 So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them.
4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!" 7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium. 8 The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. 9 And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it. 10 Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,' to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' 14 I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!" 16 So the LORD said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.—Numbers 11:1-17
Today’s reading in Numbers 11 held up a mirror to my own soul.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.—Hebrews 4:12
As I read, I took the following mental notes:
—Complaining is displeasing to God.
—it kindles His anger
—complaining appears to be “infectious”
—the flesh is never satisfied. 2 Peter 1:3a came to mind
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
—despite having heavenly bread, the people still desired the earthly.
—memories can be deceiving
—Moses complained about the people’s complaining and in so doing saw his own wretchedness
—God heard Moses and provided him a way of escape
I am so thankful for the word of God even and especially when it is bitter to my flesh. My Jesus’ desire is to keep me from stumbling and present me faultless before the presence of His glory. His will for me is from His heart of love...His commandments are not burdensome but are for my good. I WANT to please Him. To this end, I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to reveal to me my heart in my complaining. The answer was immediate.
My complaining, prior to my salvation, was a plea for help...not to God, but to man. My heart was overwhelmed by all that was before me...and I knew I was not sufficient for it. My pride still had a long way to go, however, before I came to the end of me and sought the Lord. I am now His child...saved by His grace and standing forever in His favor. My sin of complaining may have helped me feel momentary relief from pressure in my old life, but has no place in my new life. Sadly, in the time it took for my heart to cry out to God instead of man, my complaining had become habitual. Habits are hard to break...
Help me, Father, to be ruthless with my sin... 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.
Oh Father! Forgive me! Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who convicts my heart of sin and unrighteousness. Help me to remember that I AM NO LONGER ALONE. You are with me. You dwell in my heart...You are my all sufficient God who helps me in my weakness. I will bring my complaints to You. You are my help. You will hear and answer. You are my burden bearer...You perform all things for me, make my way perfect and perfect that which concerns me. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. I can boast in my infirmities because when I am weak, You are strong.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."—Matthew 11:28-30
