“AS REMARKED earlier Numbers gives us the journeys of the children of Israel in the wilderness and alas, their continual murmurings and rebellion. But this history only exalts God for it shows His patience and grace towards His people. How wonderful to read at the end of that journey, “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel.” Num. 23:2121He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. (Numbers 23:21).
After three days journey Israel complained of weariness and we have the beginnings of that work of unbelief in the hearts of the faithful. They had forgotten that song of perfect deliverance they had sung on the banks of the Red Sea when they saw their enemies dead on the sea shore. For when it is necessary to march through a desert where there is neither water nor a highway, where one must depend entirely upon God for everything, then the flesh begins to get weary and to think of enjoyments it had in Egypt.
A Christian through being in God’s presence will often grow weary of the evil of the flesh and this proceeds from the love of Christ in him. This sort of weariness God delights to relieve so that one does not grow slack in His work nor does he yield to temptation.
Israel complained and “it displeased the Lord,” for in their complaining they really were rejecting Him. They despised Him though it took the form of weeping (v. 4, 10). When we allow the flesh to become active in us, we are weary of the way and the Lord is set aside. This the flesh ever does. God takes care of everything, but the flesh only finds weariness and breaks out into complaining.
God allowed the fire to burn among the people in order to bring them back to Himself. They humbled themselves and Moses interceded for them, so that God could continue His mercy toward them. But there were apparently many among them whose hearts were yet in Egypt. “The mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting.” Doubtless these were strangers, hangers-on who had accompanied them out of Egypt when those fearful blows of God’s judgment fell on that doomed land. But they were not of Israel, and God had put a difference between Israel and the Egyptians (Ex. 11:77But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. (Exodus 11:7)).
For our journey home to heaven we have need of but little; and, in fact, the lighter our baggage is the easier will be our march. God does not give us that which would attach us to this world of sin, but only what is necessary for the journey toward Canaan. But the worldly-minded are not content with this provision for as seen in “the mixed multitude” they have no hope of heaven (Canaan), they have no inheritance there.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart
To taste those gifts with joy.
Through every period of my life
Thy goodness I’ll pursue;
The desert past, in glory bright
The precious theme renew.
Through all eternity to Thee
A joyful song I’ll raise;
But, oh, eternity’s too short
To utter all Thy praise.
ML-08/05/1973