Thursday 13 November 2014

Background

If you have ever had to deal with adolescentchildren you may have an inkling of how Moses was feeling. If not,let me give you an example. I hear my son saying, "Dad, can we goout". Who am I to refuse? So I plan a trip to the museum.

"But Dad! It'sboring."
"But you wanted to go out?"
"Yes, but not here, its naff." (or whatever else slang iscurrently being used)

And it goes on. Parents often feel they can'tget anything right and children agree.

To return to the passage, the Hebrews hadwanted to be released from slavery in Egypt. You will remember thestory that gives its name to this book, that of the Exodus. Theyhad crossed the Red Sea, or as some have it, 'The Sea of Reeds'.Surely this was what they wanted? But the reality of the wildernessin which they found themselves was harsh. They felt hungry. Theyargued and quarrelled, and wished themselves back in captivity. Butthere was an answer. They were offered a diet - rations of quailsand manna. There was plenty to keep them from starving, sufficientfor each succeeding day and double rations at the weekend to savethem collecting on the Sabbath. But there was never too much. Whatmore could they want?

It was not long before they were backcomplaining to Moses again: "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, tokill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" (v. 3)

And I guess that, like a harassed parent, eventhough he recognised their need, Moses was at the end of his tetherand felt, perhaps literally, that if he couldn't respond he waslikely to be stoned. He was not just dealing with disquiet, but adistinct lack of faith, "because the Israelites quarrelled andtested the Lord, saying, 'Is the Lord among us or not?'" (v. 7)

To Ponder

• Have you ever had to deal with difficult people? How did youmanage?
   
• Have you ever felt your acts of faith have led you intosituations where you doubted God? What was it like? And what didyou do?