“The Sorrows”

 “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” (Numbers 11:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

God had provided the children of Israel with manna, all that they needed. All they had to do was go pick it up off the ground (Exodus 16). Yet they continued to complain.

They complained that in Egypt they had fish, cucumbers, and melons that they could eat freely. God knows a real problem, from a whine about what you want. In Egypt nothing was free. The children of Israel were under extreme burdens to eat. Nothing in Egypt was free.

With the manna from Heaven they had what they needed, but worried themselves about what they wanted. A discontented spirit will seek any reason to quarrel. They failed to spend their time listening, learning and worshiping God.

God was angry at how the children of Israel were mad at God for saving them. God turned their inward anger to an outward fire that consumed their bodies.

Historically, it is the failure of mankind to give people what they want without any work for it. Without work there is no struggle; without struggle there is no growth.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the poor in finances”, how much money you have, or do not have is not an issue. Your spirit is what is of concern.

Yet, God provided them with flesh. Quails were sent by a wind from God.

“But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?” (Numbers 11:20)

The sorrows of the children of Israel begins along with our’s, which continues until this day. Trust in God to provide what you need. Complaining to God about what you want is an insult to God.