Title Numbers 11:1-35
Contents
January 2, 2012 (Mon)
<Text> Numbers 11:1-35 / Hymn 94
We've been thinking for a long time that the inner proof of being a true Christian is hearing God's silver trumpet, acknowledging God's rule in every area of his life. And by placing the Ark of the Covenant at the head of the people of Israel, I thought that it was God's consideration to show that when we go forward with faith in Christ, which the law points to, we can overcome any adversary.
Today's text is about the place called 'Kibroth Hattaawa', that is, the graves of greed in verse 34. There, the Israelites were not satisfied with the manna God had given them, and complained and complained for meat, and they were killed. So it became a land of greed and a place covered with graves.
The Israelites longed for Egypt and became greedy. All the tribes of the people of Israel weep at the door of their tents. It was, “Who will give us meat to eat?” He misses and complains about his time in Egypt. God gives them their greed in order to make them realize how unfortunate it is to be granted their wishes.
God drove the quails from the sea with the wind and made them pile up two cubits, or about 1 meter thick, over an area of one day in all directions around the camp of Israel. This enormous amount was the measure of the greed of the people of Israel.
The people of Israel gathered the meat piled up everywhere. To collect more quails, I spent two days without sleeping. For that reason, it is said that the few among them gathered about 'ten homers'. This volume is about 2,200 liters, which would be a staggering amount if the whole family put together. The Bible records that they spread it all over the camp and dried it so that they could eat it over and over again. This is the nature of human beings filled with greed.
The actions of the people of Israel in this event are the actions of many God's people on this earth living today, and we must humbly reflect ourselves before the word in fear and humility in front of the fact that they may be our actions at this very moment. It is a fact that many people weep like the Israelites when God does not give them what they want.
Deep in greed lies the dissatisfaction and rejection of what God has provided for our lives. I can no longer be satisfied with God, so I run to pursue something else. At the bottom of this attitude of life is a heart that cannot accept the richness of God's grace that works and provides in my life.
The Israelites ate a lot of meat. But spiritually they were infinitely poor. The Israelites had to understand. It means that God is with them and that they are the source from which we can enjoy abundance. And the fact that unless God is with them, what they have is always meaningless, and they are deeply disappointed. In the end, instead of giving the Israelites what they wanted to go, God turned against them and drove them into the wilderness.
Today, at this time, we must re-examine our attitude in life. Greed seems to promise prosperity and success at first, but in the end it leads to poverty and despair. There is no substitute for God. 2012 has begun. We should think once again that the road we are running is not the road to accumulating greed on this earth. Shouldn't the road we run along longing for the true reward from the Lord who will come again, so that we can walk with the Lord today and be satisfied only with Him, extending eternity?
<Prayer>
God, grant us a heart that is satisfied with and rejoicing in God alone by removing the roots of greed instead of God in our lives. Lord, who allowed the new year 2012, make it a new year in which we are thankful only for the joy, peace, and walking with God. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.