PATIENT BUT FIRM |
| It was only around thirty days since the people of God left Egypt, confident that they had been set free from slavery by the Almighty who had watched over Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was even less time since they saw the Creator of the universe open a path in the Red Sea and slay those who pursued them with evil intent. They must have been impressed with the sweetening of the water at Marah as the Holy One provided for their thirst and the care of all their cattle. Despite the marvelous things their heavenly Father had done for them, it did not take long for His children to begin to question His love for them. (Isn't this typical of human nature: children tell their parents how wonderful they are when the children get what they want: they complain when they are not satisfied.) This was not the first time Abba (which means Father) heard the grumbling and complaining sweep through the camp. They had accused Moses, which included God, who was working through him, of plotting against them just before He rescued them by parting the waters of the Red Sea. (Ex. 14:11) They questioned God's goodness again in Ex. 15:24. Now Moses reports the behavior of these people again in Ex. 16:3 And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Is this not the nature of human beings to question God's goodness when things do not go the way they plan? Their selfishness, their near sightedness, their foolish wisdom did not turn God away from them. Once again we read that God planned good for those who turned on Him as we read in Ex. 16: 6b-8: “At evening you shall know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt. And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord; for He hears your complaints against the Lord. But what are we, that you complain against us?” Also Moses said, “This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.” As we discover what our human nature is like, we also learn more about our heavenly Father. He would have been perfectly justified in destroying these ungrateful people. Instead, He revealed He is gracious, merciful and forgiving for those coming to Him with their fears and lack of understanding. The primary purpose of the Almighty in being so gracious with us is revealed in verse 12a when He promises: "And you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” As He met their daily needs despite the impossible situations these people met, He wanted them to get to know Him so they would accept Him as their God. This first Generation never did get the message from God. They remained stubborn and determined to manage their own lives. God was good for them as long as He did what they wanted. They would dump Him or ignore Him when He insisted on managing their lives. It takes a miracle from God to change the human heart so people will trust His love and wisdom. It takes a transformation of human beings to create a people eager to follow their God's will for them regardless of the cost. The majority of people will never allow God to take charge so they go into a lost eternity. Humble, repentant people invite God to send His Spirit into their lives to guide them daily as they learn what it means to know the Creator is our Lord. Prayer: I confess that it is not always easy to let you be Lord. Help me to submit to your word and do your will by your grace. Amen |
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