Something I Want To Share

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I have decided to do a post that is a little different than what I usually do.  This year I have set a goal to read through the entire bible. I'm not sure if I will get through it within this year, but I will try. While doing this, I came across a chapter that I feel like I need to share with you all.

The passage is Numbers 11. I encourage you to read this chapter before you continue

Here is a summary about what has happened up to this chapter. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. God sent Moses, and many plagues, into Egypt to free them. Moses is traveling with them to the promised land. God is leading them there by a pillar of clouds in the day and a pillar of fire at night. He provides them with food by giving them manna from heaven. He takes care of their needs.

Numbers 11:4-9 - The Israelites remember all the meat, cucumbers, melons, etc. that they got to eat in Egypt and they are complaining because the only thing they are given to eat is manna. They want to be given "better" food.

Numbers 11:10-15 - The Lord heard the people complaining and grew angry. Moses hears them, as well, and seems to get overwhelmed. He asks God why He has given him this burden. He is basically responsible for all these people that, as he put it, he hasn't even given birth to. He is saying that these people aren't even family members, or his children, so he doesn't understand why he alone has to be responsible for all of their troubles. He even tells God that if He isn't going to relieve him of this burden then he wants God to put him to death so that he doesn't have to struggle with it any longer.

Numbers 11:16-17 - God tells Moses to gather seventy of the Israelite elders and bring them to the Tent of Meeting so he can put the Spirit on them so they can help Moses with the people.

Numbers 11:18-20 - The Lord tells Moses to explain to all the people that He will provide meat for them, but that is all they will eat for one full month. The Lord was angry that they said they were better off in Egypt,  where they were slaves, so He is making them eat it until they loathe it.

Numbers 11:21-23 - Moses tells God that he is among six hundred thousand men and asks how meat is going to be provided for all of them for an entire month. God asks him "Is the Lord's arm to short?" Basically, asking him if he doesn't think God can do it and tells him that he will see if what God says will come true.

Numbers 11:24-25 - Moses gathers together the seventy elders and the Lord comes down in the cloud and speaks to them and puts the Spirit on they elders so that they would be able to help Moses.

Numbers 11:26-30 - Two elders, Eldad and Medad, had not gone to the Tent, but the Spirit was still put on them and they prophesied in the camp. Moses was told to stop them by Joshua, but he said that he wished that all of God's people had the Spirit on them.

Numbers 11:31-35 - The Lord sent a wind that brought the quail from the sea to the camp. They were three feet deep and covered the ground as far as a days walk in any direction. The Israelites gathered them all day and night. Then the Lord sent a plague to show them that He was angry with what they did.

When I read this, my first reaction was, "These people are so ungrateful! How can they complain when they were delivered from Egypt, are clearly being guided to where they need to go, and they are given everything they need. How could they ask for anything more?" Then certain things started to occur to me:

- How many times do we do that today? God provides us, not necessarily with everything we WANT, but with everything we NEED. Yet, we still complain to Him because we want more. We are unhappy with the "manna" He is giving us and we want "meat" instead. For instance, my husband and I aren't rich by any means, but God provides us with money we need to pay bills, buy groceries, etc. I cannot tell you how many times I have complained about the amount of money we make so we can get a better tv, more clothes, or anything else. We should be thankful that our NEEDS are being met and feel even more blessed whenever He fulfills our wants.

-I am thankful that God hears us when we come to Him with our problems and He helps us when a burden is too heavy for us to bear, just like He helped Moses when he told God that being responsible for all these people was too much for him.

- Many times we act just like Moses did in Numbers 11:21-23. God tells us that he will do something and we worry about how it is going to happen. That is like asking God how He is going to do it, and sometimes we LITERALLY ask Him that. And how many times does God say to US, "Is the Lord's arm too short?" He reminds us that He is GOD, He can do anything! We shouldn't worry or doubt what He is capable of. Just like the question He asks Moses seems kind of silly, when you stop and REALLY think about it, It does seem quite silly to know all the miracles that God has done and everything He has accomplished and doubt that He can't accomplish something in our lives. 

- Moses expresses how he wishes everyone could have the Spirit within them. Today, people who are saved have the privilege of having the Holy Spirit living within them. We can pray and speak to God ourselves, we don't have to go through someone else to do so. We don't realize how much of a privilege that is. Imagine everytime you wanted to pray, you had to go through someone else, or not being able to pray anytime or anywhere you wanted. We are lucky enough to have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Christ.  

- God has a will, or path, for our lives that He wants us to follow. While He doesn't lead us quite as clearly as a cloud or fire in front of us showing us where to go, we can pray and ask Him to show us the path we should take. God knows what is best for us and, if we follow His path, we can fully experience the blessings He has in store for us. Everything that happens is for our good and His glory, EVERYTHING!!

I just felt that I should share that with you all. If you have anything else that needs to be added or shared, please do so! I think it helps to share because different people can get a different message from the same passage. Have a great day everyone!