Exodus 16:1-3
“Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
It’s been said that there were up to 3 million Hebrews that left Egypt. They would have had some provisions when they left, but those would be long gone. God provided water for them at Marah a week or so earlier. He had not yet provided food for them. A small band could hunt and live off the land as they traveled, but not three million. Logically, the people thought they were doomed. They could not hunt or gather that much food. That idea spread through the camp. The above passage says, “the whole congregation….grumbled against Moses and Aaron”.
As we look back we ask why they didn’t trust God? He has just satisfied their thirst not long ago. It was clear God wanted them out of Egypt. He went to great lengths to free them. They had the promises given to Abraham that they would live in Canaan. Puting those thoughts together would indicate that they would survive. It’s easy to be critical in hindsight. There’s a phrase “fatigue makes cowards of us all”. A derivative might apply here. Their hunger and fatigue tested their faith. In their defense, they hadn’t witnessed God provide food and prior to a month ago they hadn’t witnessed any miracles at all. As far as I can recall God hadn’t miraculously provided food prior to this example. It’s difficult to image that which has never been done.
As we look back we ask why they didn’t trust God? He has just satisfied their thirst not long ago. It was clear God wanted them out of Egypt. He went to great lengths to free them. They had the promises given to Abraham that they would live in Canaan. Puting those thoughts together would indicate that they would survive. It’s easy to be critical in hindsight. There’s a phrase “fatigue makes cowards of us all”. A derivative might apply here. Their hunger and fatigue tested their faith. In their defense, they hadn’t witnessed God provide food and prior to a month ago they hadn’t witnessed any miracles at all. As far as I can recall God hadn’t miraculously provided food prior to this example. It’s difficult to image that which has never been done.
1 Corinthians 10:11 says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” This is the worlds largest demonstration. We are to learn from these examples. When in need, trust God.
They are beginning a habit of grumbling. They complained at Marah. They are complaining now. It will continue. This is not good. 1 Corinthians 10:5 & 10 says, “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness….Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” At this point in the story, God doesn’t show His disapproval. It will come later. This grumbling is the beginning of a bad attitude. It will lead to much worse. Bad attitudes remind me of the passage in Hebrews 10:15 “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” Bad attitudes are contagious and poisonous. It’s ironic that the land they were is called the Wilderness of Sin.
Lord, help us to trust You. There will come difficult times. Help us to remember this as well as the times You’ve delivered us.