God is Awesome

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

Numbers 11

...The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look on...

Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent: and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased. Moses said to Yahweh, "...Whence should I have flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, 'Give us flesh, that we may eat'..."

Yahweh said to Moses, "...Say you to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you shall eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you shall eat. You shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why came we forth out of Egypt?"'..."

There went forth a wind from Yahweh, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth. The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails: he who gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague. The name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

[thespitfiredragon]

God IS awesome! But what are you trying to say with Numbers 11?

[Theja]

Physically they left Egypt, but Egypt remained in their hearts. Hence, except Joshua and Caleb, none of the older generation entered Canaan (Hebrews 4:6-11).

Egypt represents sin, bondage (Romans 6:6) and worldliness (1 John 2:15-17).

Canaan symbolizes for Christians as living victorious lives from sin --- in the world, but not of the world. 1 John 1:7; & 3:3.

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

God IS awesome! But what are you trying to say with Numbers 11?

I love God's response to complaints of the people. "You want meat? I'll give you meat until it comes out your nostrils!" And then he sends a plague while their eating. That's some tough love.

[thespitfiredragon]

Fear,

I got the symbolism of what you were saying...but the "tough love" was your focal point? God definitely has a sense of humor...

Though I prefer to focus on the uplifting stuff.

Fear, do you have a favorite scripture passage?

[Theja]

The folks in the wilderness had seen the 10 plagues, crossed the red sea, drowning of Pharoah's army with WMD, the pillar of cloud and the fire leading them day and night....

And yet here they are regretting their miraculous journey, tantamount to wishing they remained slaves in Egypt. Slave mentality, not pressing on with the vision God laid out for them.

Their attitude and lifestyle is a warning for present day Christians.... 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.


".... the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine with faith" (Hebrews 4:2).

To Christians --- "let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it" (4:1)...

Some contemporary Christian diseases --- biblical illiteracy (doubts, uncertainty and superstitions), sleeping together before marriage, pride, lousy employees, no concern for the lost (and thereby give very little to God's work), easy divorces, foul language, unforgiving, vengeful, etc.

These people live the proverbial "miserable Christian" life. Also they live lives "useless" for God. Because they do not know or refuse to "run with perseverance THE RACE marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).



[Edited by Theja on 18th June 2003 at 04:00]

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

Originally posted by thespitfiredragon
Fear, do you have a favorite scripture passage?

Probably the sermon on the mount in Matthew.