Psalm 78:17-18

Psalm 78:17-18

They wilfully put God to the test

There are two sides to these “parables” in the life of Israel. They are being recounted to teach us about the compassion and mercy of the God who provides. In each story we see something of His divine power and His miraculous care for all who trust in Him. However, the “parables” also teach us about the fickle nature of His children and their constant complaining, as well as helping us to understand how helpless and vulnerable we are without Him. If God had not provided, the Israelites would have died in the wilderness. In fact, that is exactly what they thought was going to happen when they complained about the lack of food. 

“In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.”Exodus 16:2-4.

Rebellion against God and His ways is sin. Wilfully putting Him to the test is sin. Making demands instead of trusting in His care is a sin. This was no polite enquiry that the people were voicing, this was an ungrateful mob making it quite clear that they preferred to be slaves in Egypt than marching to the Promised Land with the Lord God. 

There are many so-called Christians today, who look back at their past and wonder if they were better off when they were slaves! Few will take the food that their God graciously offers from His teachers, instead they live on crumbs and then complain about their diet! 

 

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