Good morning,
This week we will be looking at God’s provisions for the Israelites as they begin what will become a 40+ year journey in the wilderness of Sinai. Included in our passage for this week is one of the more famous miracles of the Old Testament – manna from heaven.
In the passage the Israelites are about 45 days into their journey when their food begins to run out. They grumble against Moses (really against God) and wish that they were back in Egypt. As usual, we have a lot to cover on Sunday, so I want to use this space to provide some thoughts on two questions that some have asked regarding this miracle.
#1 – Why didn’t the Israelites just eat their livestock?
After all, we are told in Exodus 9 that the Israelites have a good number of livestock (sheep, goats, cattle) and in Exodus 12 when Pharaoh lets the people go He specifically says that they are to take their livestock with them. So we wouldn’t think that food would be an issue quite yet.
So what’s the deal? The Bible doesn’t really give us an explanation, so God didn’t think that this issue was one of great importance to us. There are times when we just have to be satisfied with the silence and trust that if something was important for us to know then God would have told us.
However, if we are talking with someone who isn’t a believer and they ask us this question then it is good to be able to offer some sort of response other than a shoulder shrug!
So here are a few theories that scholars have offered:
First, we need to keep in mind that eating meat was not a mealtime staple like it is in our culture. Livestock was primarily used as a source of income and was traded for needed goods. Remember, the people think they are headed straight for the promised land. They have no idea they are going to spend 40 years wandering in the wilderness. A straight path to Canaan is roughly a 10 day journey, so they probably are expecting to arrive in no less than a couple of months. And they are going to need those flocks when they get there.
Secondly, they may have been clinging to the Egyptian religious beliefs and practices that called for worshipping many animals (including livestock). We find support for this theory at Sinai…when Moses doesn’t come back down the mountain right away they immediately start worshipping a golden calf.
And third, some have suggested that they may have just been tired of eating the same food every day. Many of us have been known to exaggerate our hunger. We claim we are “starving” when we just haven’t eaten in a few hours.
Of the three theories (there are others, but these are the main three), I find the first one the most convincing and the last one the least convincing. It’s possible (perhaps even likely) that the reality involved all three!
#2 – How often did the Israelites eat quail?
If you are like me and grew up going to Sunday School, you were probably told that God provided quail in the evening and manna in the morning the entire time that the Israelites were in the wilderness. I mean, I can picture the coloring pages!
However, there is some debate about whether or not this was a single-evening event, or if this happened regularly during the wandering. I spent an inordinate amount of time on this debate this week! The issue with God providing quail every evening is that its not what the text actually says.
In verse 12 Moses says “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread.” He doesn’t say “Every twilight you shall eat meat.” And verse 13 is the only time quail are mentioned. The entire rest of the passage is devoted to the manna, and it concludes with v35 – “The people of Israel ate the manna for forty years, till they came to a habitable land.” No mention of quail. In fact, quail aren’t mentioned until Numbers 11, when the people again complain that they have no meat to eat. And that seems odd if they were given quail each night.
So it is quite possible, if not likely, that the quail represented a special one-time evening meal to give them immediate relief from hunger and tide them over until the permanent, daily food supply would begin.
Switching gears a bit…you may have heard that there is an election coming up on Tuesday. I have seen many, many people pronounce that this is “the most consequential election in a lifetime.” Just once I’d like to hear “This year’s election really isn’t any big deal!”
I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again – I won’t tell you how to vote or endorse any candidate for any office from the pulpit. I don’t believe that is my role and I want everyone, from all walks of life, to feel welcomed at the Bridge so that they can come learn about Jesus and learn about God’s Word. I do pray for our government officials frequently during the worship service, but it is always for them to seek God’s wisdom in their decision making and to come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
However, I will encourage you to vote. It is a privilege that we have in this country, one that many around the world don’t have. I would especially encourage you to take your vote before God and ask Him for guidance.
I, for one, am looking forward to Wednesday morning, when all the political ads stop appearing and my mailbox won’t be quite as full with flyers!
Here’s what’s happening:
- Junior Youth are meeting this Sunday, November 6th after church. They will be meeting on Saturday, November 12th from 12:30 to 4:30 pm to work on packing Operation Christmas Child boxes.
- Senior High Youth group meets Sunday, November 13th at 6:30 pm in the school house. If you haven’t checked out the schoolhouse lately, you should. Some amazing renovations are underway!
- OCC boxes are in the lobby, along with packing instructions. They need to be returned on Sunday, 11/20 (please note the corrected date).
- Lighthouse Youth Center is having its annual auction on Saturday, 11/12, starting at 9 am.
- The annual Thanksgiving fellowship meal will be held after the worship service on 11/20. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby for food.
- We are looking for some folks who would be willing to close up the church once a month after the Sunday morning service (around 11:45). It would involve checking to make sure all the lights are off, setting the alarm, and locking the front door. If you would be willing to help out, let me know.
- We’ve developed a new church brochure! Copies are in the lobby. If you know of someone who would like to learn more about the Bridge, take one!
- Advent season is but a few short weeks away. We would love to have some “special music” during the advent season. If you would like to share your musical talent on a Sunday morning, let me know.
As I mentioned, this Sunday we will be looking at four different times that God provided for the Israelites as they make their way to Mt. Sinai. Although many people believe that living a Christian life means living a life of drudgery, we are going to see that living the way that God intends for us to live actually leads to some pretty amazing things! Invite a friend to join us!