Wandering About

Hunger

The whole congregation complains against the leaders. In this passage we get to look at what Moses and Aaron dealt with as they navigated the wilderness. Exodus 16:2 (NRSV)

2 The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. First of all we need to see if the people had a legitimate complaint against the leadership. One thing they really begin to complain about is hunger. Exodus 16:3 (NRSV)

3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” So I would say on that account they most likely had a point. But lets look at the complaint. As history tells us the people were captives of Egypt for 430 years; much like prisoners today they were told what to do and when to do it. They were told when to eat and given supplies to eat. The Hebrew people even talk about their fleshpots and how they ate their fill of bread. So, did they have a legitimate complaint? Perhaps, but remember that when God sets them free from slavery He expects them to grow in their independence and in order to grow they must learn. God wants all of us to have freedom from oppression, but we also must grow into our independence.

God hears the cry of His people. Over the past couple of weeks I have taught on prayer. How should we pray, and praying the Psalms. We discovered that we should pray God’s will, and for the Kingdom. We also learned that Jesus Christ prayed through David as He also prays through us. Is it possible that God gave the people what they were asking for after they asked because He wanted relationship with them. A child at its youngest stages in life reaches out for assistance. This can be communication. For young children do you think that at times the child might think they are not being heard?

Exodus 16:4 (NRSV)

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. This is an answer to the cry of the people but then God gives instructions. I believe this is also relationship building. Exodus 16:6–7 (NRSV)

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” When we are in relationship with the Lord we will see His glory and we will be confirmed in the knowledge of His great power. Exodus 16:12 (NRSV)

12 “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ” You shall know that I am the Lord.