(1) Obeying His commands
16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people will go out and gather the amount for each day, so that I may test them. Will they walk in my law or not? 16:5 On the sixth day they will prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather every other day.”
God could have just given them what they asked for: meat and bread, and the people would be silent. Why would He have to set up rules on how to collect them? (Same requirement from the lack of water incident from yesterday's passage).
God could have just given them what they asked for: meat and bread, and the people would be silent. Why would He have to set up rules on how to collect them? (Same requirement from the lack of water incident from yesterday's passage).
Probably because God wants to not just meet the need, but deal with their underlying problems. As the people of God we need to obey God. He gave them food and He had all the rights to ask them to follow His rule. For Christians, He saved us from sin and death; our lives belong to Him. Of course, He has all the rights to ask us to follow Him.
(2) Murmurings was the questioning of the intention of God
16:6 Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt, 16:7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your murmurings against the LORD.
v.12b ‘During the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be satisfied with bread, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”
The Giver of food, of course, is a mighty and powerful God. But here, Moses, said God was the One who was personally involved in your life, Who brought you out of Egypt, and He is your God. In order words, when they complained of hunger, they actually forgot their personal relationship with God.
v.12b ‘During the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be satisfied with bread, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”
The Giver of food, of course, is a mighty and powerful God. But here, Moses, said God was the One who was personally involved in your life, Who brought you out of Egypt, and He is your God. In order words, when they complained of hunger, they actually forgot their personal relationship with God.
How about us? When we complain, do we doubt about the love of God? Do we forget that He has guided and protected us all our lives?
(3) Murmurings was not a challenge to the leaders, but a challenge to God
16:2 The entire company of Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron in the desert.
v.7b because he has heard your murmurings against the LORD. As for us, what are we, that you should murmur against us?”
v.8b because the LORD has heard your murmurings that you are murmuring against him. As for us, what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.”
v.8b because the LORD has heard your murmurings that you are murmuring against him. As for us, what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.”
If I am one of the Israelites, I would be very shameful to collect the meat and bread. The food that I craved for finally came, but they were only the reminders that God had heard my murmurings.
Second, the 2 leaders that were bombarded by 1 million people were the earthly representatives of God. They may seem like weak leaders (the 1 million outnumbered the 2 of them, Moses was shy to speech), but when Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron, they were actually against the LORD.
How do we perceive authorities in our lives? Do we see the LORD behind our leaders? Unsaved leaders are also leaders. Scriptures did not exempt us from obeying them. e.g. Rom 13:1-7, 1 Pet 3:1, etc.
Col 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching—like those who are strictly people-pleasers—but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 3:23 Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,
Audrey
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