Numbers 11  Three days out of Sinai.. and the complaining began... It began with the "rabble".. those on the outskirts of the camp.. but quickly spread to the people of Israel. The Lord heard the complaints and became angry.  He sent fire that "burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp."

An attitude of greediness seeped into the camp, again beginning with the "rabble" and spreading throughout the camp. The people began crying and complaining to Moses.  They wanted meat. They wanted the food they had in Egypt.  They wanted more than manna.  They wanted more than what God had provided. 

Moses was "displeased" and the Lord was angry.  Moses began his own complaining.. "Why hast Thou been so hard on Thy servant?"   That touches a nerve, doesn't it?  Lord.. this is too hard.. why are You so hard on me?  Why have You given me so much responsibility?  Why have You made me carry this heavy burden ?  What is it that I am complaining about today?

The Lord listened to Moses and granted him some help.  70 elders were called to the tent of meeting.  God took the Spirit who was upon Moses, and put Him upon the 70 saying, ".. and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you shall not bear it alone."  And so He did as He said. 

He also addressed the complaints of the people. They wanted meat and He gave them meat.  Quail by the thousands landed for miles around the camp. Bushels and bushels of quail were gathered by the people. But..."While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was even chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague. " 

The Lord told Moses, "Is the Lord's power limited? Now you shall see  whether My word will come true for you or not." It is a word we need to hear too. 

The Lord dealt swiftly and justly with His people. He always does what He says He will do and we need to listen carefully to what He says.  We are given this example for His purposes.. to learn from the failures of Israel.. They listened to the "rabble".  First mistake.  We fall into this so easily.. we listen to the world.. the complaints and the greediness of this world invade our thoughts... and our lives. Secondly, the people of God turned to Moses.. to a man and not to God.. for the solutions they wanted. We need to take heed of this error.  No man can accomplish what Moses was asked to do.  But God can.. He is the One with unlimited power! 

The biggest mistake that the people of Israel made though... is that they didn't trust God or take Him at His Word. They allowed the spirit of greediness to take hold and forgot all the goodness that He had poured out on them. They completely missed the one thing that would make all the difference.. Gratitude. True faith.. true love.. true obedience are found in a life that is full of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. 

Father in heaven,  You have poured out.. lavished Your grace upon us through Jesus Christ the Lord. You are worthy of all praise and thanksgiving.  You have blessed us with every spiritual.. and physical blessing that we need.. and You have loved us with everlasting love. How can we hold back and complain?  Oh, may we continually give thanks to the Lord.. You are good. You are ready to forgive. You are abundant in lovingkindness. There is none like You! There are no works like Yours. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit.. Amen.