Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Numbers 20-22

It took me 15 minutes to read this passage.  This is toward the end of the 40 years or wandering for Israel.  There are only a few people who remain that are under the curse to not enter the promised land.  Miriam and Aaron die in these passages.  I wonder if those who grumbled in 21:4-5 were some of the others, or the children who didnt learn to submit to God.  I could understand not being thrilled with manna for every meal, but would the wonder of manna really wear off?  Ive never visited the wilderness of Sinai, but I would think that dew 6 days a week, every week, for 40 years that left a layer of manna would continue to amaze me.  The lack of an abundance of water pushed some of the people to their own personal breaking point.  They complained to God.  I dont think God mind when we complain to him when we dont understand what hes doing or what he has planned, and we have the attitude that answer will resolve our complaint.  But when we whine just because we dont like something; thats when God sends in the snakes.  The snakes are reminders that God will still provide for our needs, but he will also make us need him more.  That way he provide even more of our needs.  At least thats how it looks to me.

Stuart

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