It didn’t take long for the people to get over their praise for God and start grumbling against Him. And they longed to return to Egypt! God’s Old Testament people give us insight into our own hearts and experiences. Doesn’t it seem like great victories or great encounters with God in your own life are often followed by what seems like catastrophe and your own crashing and burning? Do you get disappointed with yourself that your praise of God is too quick to turn into sin? We should recognize these patterns and be prepared, treasuring up the victories and great encounters by sharing them with others who will remind, encourage and admonish us, or by journaling. How else can you mark them so that you can return to them in the dark times that are sure to follow them?
Note that the discouragement in the desert did not mean that God had accomplished nothing in leading them out of slavery. Often the enemy tries to convince us of that very lie, that present failure means that God really didn’t accomplish anything so we have no other choice but to go back to living enslaved to whatever God has actually freed us from. Don’t buy the lie! The more we understand about the way the enemy works against us, the better we can withstand Him.
The Israelites had reasons to be uncomfortable, lacking food and water. God had no problem providing for them; why did He wait until they were grumbling in discontent? They needed to recognize their complete dependence on Him. As soon as they cried out to Him, He provided. That should have been a powerful lesson for them. Note that God did not hold their grumbling against them here, but He would not be so patient in the future. He expected them to learn from this experience, and cry out to Him the next time needs arose. So also, He instructs us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let (our) requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) How quick are you to pray about your needs?
Notice also that in their stress the people complained about Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership, when they should have been taking their needs to God. And it bears mentioning again that they expressed a desire to return to the place of their enslavement. Further, their hardships made them question God’s presence with them when His presence was miraculously visible to them! What was wrong with these people? What insight does the Holy Spirit give you about yourself in these object lessons provided by the Israelites? Of what do you need to repent? Against what do you need to be on your guard? How can you fortify yourself now while you are in your right mind?