And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
Numbers 11:1–3
The Lord had given instruction to His people. He had appeared unto them. He had been patient with them. And now at last, the trumpets are sounding. Moses says, “Rise up, O Lord, and go before us.” Now, the children of Israel are on their way, and the first thing they do is complain about something evidently so insignificant that Scripture doesn’t even bother to record the reason. Oh, it must have seemed important to the Israelites at the time, but from God’s perspective, it wasn’t.
After hearing their complaints, it’s as if the Lord gave His people something to complain about through the fire that broke out in their midst. The lesson is a good one for me because through it I understand that complaining causes confusion. If I’m complaining about something in one part of my life, a fire is sure to flare up in another part.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul tells us that if we bite and devour one another, we ourselves will be consumed (5:15). And here at the outset of the Israelites’ journey, God reminds us that we’ll get burned if we’re a people given to complaining.
This Daily Devotional is an excerpt from the book "A Pillar By Day" by Pastor Jon.
"A Pillar By Day" is a collection of 365 short devotions from the Old Testament books of Genesis through Deuteronomy.
If you would like your own copy of "A Pillar By Day" you can order one from the SearchLight Store.
After hearing their complaints, it’s as if the Lord gave His people something to complain about through the fire that broke out in their midst. The lesson is a good one for me because through it I understand that complaining causes confusion. If I’m complaining about something in one part of my life, a fire is sure to flare up in another part.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul tells us that if we bite and devour one another, we ourselves will be consumed (5:15). And here at the outset of the Israelites’ journey, God reminds us that we’ll get burned if we’re a people given to complaining.