Numbers 11

The Explanation

The people of Israel were walking through the desert. God fed them every morning with strange white bread from heaven, called manna. It tasted sweet, like fresh oil. But the people got tired of it. They sat at the door of their tents and cried. "We want meat! We remember the fish in Egypt, and the onions, and the garlic. Now we only have this manna to look at!"

God heard their complaining, and his anger burned like fire. Moses heard it too, and he was tired. So tired that he said something brave and honest to God. "Why did you give me all these people? I cannot carry them alone, it is too heavy. If this is how you treat me, just let me die."

Would you have dared to say that to God? Moses did. And God did not punish him for it. Instead God gave him help. "Bring me seventy men," God said. "I will take some of the Spirit that is on you, and put it on them, so you do not have to carry this alone."

Then God said something surprising to the people. "You want meat? You will get meat. Not just one day, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nose and you are sick of it." Moses could hardly believe it. "Six hundred thousand men, and you will give them meat for a month? Even all the fish in the sea would not be enough!" But God asked him, "Has my hand become too short? Now you will see if my word comes true."

And it did. A wind from God blew over the sea and brought quails, so many that they lay piled up around the camp, as high as a man's knees. The people ran and gathered all day, and all night, and all the next day too. But while the meat was still between their teeth, before they had even finished chewing, God's anger burned again, and sickness struck the camp. Many people died there. That is why the place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, which means "graves of desire."

What Does This Mean?

This story shows two things at once. The people forgot how good God had been to them, and they only saw what they missed. Their complaining was not a small thing, it hurt God, like children who slam a good gift on the table because they wanted something else.

But this story also shows Moses, who was honest with God even when he was angry and tired. God did not get angry at Moses for that. God helped him. God listens to real feelings, even hard ones, when we bring them to him instead of hiding them.

The Common Thread

God gave bread from heaven every day, enough for everyone, always in time. Later Jesus would say, "I am the bread of life." Just like the manna, Jesus is enough, every day, even when we do not feel like it. The people in the desert complained about God's gift and wanted something else. Do we sometimes do the same with Jesus, thinking we need something more exciting than him?

For You

Think of something you have that you often complain about. Maybe school, or your little brother, or even the food on your plate. Try, just for today, to say thank you instead of complaining. And when something feels too heavy for you, like it did for Moses, tell God exactly how you feel. He is not afraid of your honest words.

Talk About It

Why do you think the people forgot how bad things really were in Egypt?

Have you ever told God something honest and hard, like Moses did? What happened?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you for everything you give me every day, even the ordinary things. Forgive me when I complain instead of saying thank you. When life feels too heavy, help me talk to you like Moses did. Amen.