“Murmurs”

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

The children of Israel is an analog to things that happen today. They had left the tribulations of Egypt, celebrated their liberation, then fell into despair of no water. Despair is easy.

When you are troubled by life’s knocks, God provides what you need, when you need it. The children of Israel arrive at Marah. They couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter. God shows Moses a tree that when cast into the water made the water sweet.

Here God gives them the instructions for them to follow.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26)

No sooner had they had water, then they began to murmur against Moses and Aaron. This was not just a few, the entire congregation began to murmur. Apparently they have no idea on how to pray to God directly, instead they speak out against Moses and Arron.

“11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.” (Exodus 16:11-12)

In the evening quail appear right when they need it. The next morning, all over the ground were small round loaves of bread. Manna from heaven.

God makes it clear that over the next 6 days you will have all the bread you want. Take it and eat it, but don’t leave any. Of course, they left some and in the morning it was full of worms and stank.

People do people things and as often as not ignore rules. Moses was angry about it. Over the coming days the people got a handle on how much they should gather. If they waited until the heat of the day the manna would melt.

On the sixth day Moses tells the people to gather a double portion and hold it until the seventh day, because there will be no manna available on the Sabbath.

God teaches the children of Israel about the Sabbath. They will be fed manna for the next 40 years and rest every Sabbath.

The murmurs continue at Rephidim for water. God has Moses take his rod and strike a stone in front of the elders, and water flowed from the rock.

Then comes war…..to be continued stay tuned.