AFTER enjoying for a time the grateful shade of Elim, and being refreshed by its fountains of water, Israel took up again their march through the desert. One month from the time that the “pillar of cloud” began to lead them, they were brought into the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Mt. Sinai, and there they encamped again—these, “many thousands of Israel.” But there was no bread for them there, and their thoughts and hearts turned back to the “flesh pots” of Egypt, and they wished themselves back again. Then they began to murmur against Moses and. Aaron, telling them they had brought them forth into this wilderness to kill them with hunger. How very wrong this was! It showed that they did not have confidence in God. They might have known that God would not allow them to die of hunger and. thirst in the wilderness after having visited them in mercy and brought them out from the fearful bondage under which they had labored in Egypt. They did not know that it was better to be in the desert with God, than to be in the brick-kilns with Pharaoh.
O! dear children, have we learned this great lesson which Israel of old had not yet learned? We may be in a wilderness where there is no bread, and no water, but if we have God to care for us, we have nothing to fear. Some set out to walk with God, but when trial or pressure come in the pathway they begin to murmur and rebel. Israel seemed to forget how sore their bondage had been; and how great was the deliverance that God had wrought for, them and What mercies had followed their steps. He led them through the deep. If Marah’s waters were bitter, He sweetened them for them. He gave them refreshment at Elim.
And now, if some cloud darkens our path, shall we forget the great victory that Jesus has gained for us, and the many mercies with which God has strewn our desert path! Oh, let us remember that we have God with us, and God for us; and may this keep our hearts from murmuring and discontent!
Notwithstanding Israel’s murmuring, God was very gracious, and told Moses that He would rain bread from heaven for the people. This was in great contrast with the “flesh-pots” after which they had been longing. These belonged to earth, but the “angels’ food” which God was about to give them belonged to heaven; and now God was going to test Israel by this heavenly food, for He said, “That I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no!”
Are there any flesh-pots for us? and has heavenly bread been provided? John 6:32, 33, 3532Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (John 6:32‑33)
35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) shows that the true bread from heaven, which the Father gives, is JESUS. Now the question comes, How many of us are feeding on this true bread? We well know that daily bread is needed to nourish our bodies and make us strong. And do you think that we can be strong and healthy Christians without feeding upon this Bread from heaven? Surely we cannot.
This spiritual food becomes a test as to our condition, even as the bread rained down from heaven was made a test for Israel. Are we satisfied to feed upon Christ, or do our hearts turn back to the world? —for it is there the “fleshpots” are found. If the light reading, the parties and pleasures of earth are claiming our thoughts, we will not have much relish for Christ.
Oh! may God help us, each and all, to realize that Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. (Gal. 1:44Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4).) And may He help us to walk before Him with grateful hearts, satisfied with the provision He makes for us in ‘the wilderness.’
We may learn more about the heavenly bread that God gave to Israel in another paper.
ML 03/01/1903