Israelite Tendencies: A Failed Recipe for Manna

 

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.  The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.  In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.  On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

The LORD said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.  Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread.”  Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ “

 Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.  This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as they need.  Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’ “

The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little.  And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.  Each one had gathered just as much as they needed. 

Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”

However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.  So Moses was angry with them.

LORD, I just want to apologize for allowing my insecurities, doubts and fears to overcome trust in your provision.  I have read stories about this stupid group of people for so long, and have never been able to understand how they relinquished trust time and again in favor of their own means.  Since I was a child, I have scoffed at their ’stiffneckedness,’ never believing that I could be so stubborn. 

Maybe this is because I have always had a home; and it’s always been a much better home than Egypt, I must say.  Now for the first time in my life, I find myself in the same shoes as the Israelites: searching for a new home, for a place to which I have been guided and which is certainly promised, but which is also unseen.  And like these stupid Israelites, I find myself panic-stricken, scouring the ground for every last trace of security that I can find before the uncertainty of tomorrow sets in. 

I guess I am learning to go a little easier on my Isrealite brothers, because I am discovering these Israelite tendencies of stubborness, insecurity, and short-sightedness within myself.  I pray that I can heed wisdom, that I can find contentment in what I am given, and renew my trust in the God who produces bread from thin air, in order to love his people and draw them closer to Himself. 

LORD, I am yours.  Let me sleep with peace tonight.  Let me know that any worries that I take with me to sleep will turn to rot and maggots. And help me to trust in the timing, provision and goodness that you have never failed to show me as I have journeyed away from my own familiar Egypt.  You are good, and I will yet praise your name.

Amen