“Religion is more like a response to a friend than it is like an obedience to an expert.” – Austin Farrer, English Anglican Theologian, Biblical scholar (1908-1968)

“Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD…and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost–also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but manna.” Numbers 11:1, 4-6 

Humanity can be fully obedient to God one day and then be far away and woefully disobedient the next.  We see this as the Israelites majestically set out for Canaan and quickly begin to complain against God and oppose Moses’ leadership. The rabble (a handful of malcontents) complained about hardships and then objected to the food provided. Melons and garlic were their dreams in the desert. 

Murmuring is contagious. Given the availability of food today, we tend to empathize with the picky, nomadic Israelites. Moaning starts when the espresso machine at the coffee shop does not work. We like our habits…and sometimes that includes our old ways before Christ. 

Today, Believers have full access to whatever they want. If you allow yourself to crave something, be careful, as God may allow you to have it. Discontentment about food was part of the disobedience in Genesis. 

Consider things that have to be eliminated if you want to serve the Lord. 

“Give us this day our daily…coffee”

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, 

Give us the right response of heart properly in tune with your grace. Teach us to know that we do not live by bread alone. Deliver us from a small faith that joins the rabble, that complains about what is provided to being spiritual giants trusting in You Mighty Lord – and let us treasure eternal food. Amen

Note: The Hebrew literal translation of manna means “what is it?”