Abundance

“Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’” (Numbers 11:18–20).

Everytime I read these verses, I smile. It always reminds me of an exasperated parent who has finally hit their limit with a whiny child. “If you want to whine, I’ll give you something to whine about!” I won’t confirm or deny if I ever heard those words as I was growing up. God’s children, the Israelites, were complaining about the struggles they were facing during the wilderness wanderings, a problem which they had brought upon themselves by the way. In this particular case, they were grumbling about the lack of meat to eat. To make matters worse, they had the arrogance to pine for the dining elegance provided by Pharaoh back in Egyptian slavery! What is implied here? That they should have stayed in Egypt! That God cannot provide as well as Pharaoh!

If you ever doubted the abundant provision of God, this story puts that concern to rest. Even in a negative situation, dealing with unappreciative rebels, God can still provide abundantly. When God gets done, the quail are piled up three feet deep within a day's journey all around the camp (Numbers 11:31). How about that, Israel? Is that enough meat for you?

It’s far better to experience the abundant provision of God when we are being faithful to Him.  He longs to bless us. He “...is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20). Give Him the opportunity!

God loves you!

Mike