A Side of Quail?

While praying today God reminded me of Psalm 78 :25 – 31. It retells the story written by Moses in Numbers 19. It's the famous story of God feeding His people, Israel, quail in the desert.

The Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt by many awesome signs and wonders. God himself went to war against their enemy, the Egyptians. The land of Egypt was laid waste. Their economy was ruined. Death had taken their eldest children, and God destroyed their military. Moses then led them out into the Sinai desert through the wilderness on their way to the promised land.

Now God had already performed great miracles for them He had more than amply proved His love for them and that He would lead them and take care of them,

The Book of Numbers relates the fact that it didn't take long for the people to become dissatisfied with the way things were going. God provided them with manna, Psalm 78:25 calls it 'the bread of the angels. He gave it to them abundantly every day to meet their needs. It was a magnificent example of His mighty power and love. It tells how the 'rabble' among them started craving all the really good things that they had to eat when they were slaves in Egypt, and now all they had was this boring manna stuff.

The complaining and discontent of the rabble spread like a virus through the nation. Soon everyone was griping about the lack of any decent food. 'If only we had meat to eat!' they whined, then we'd be happy and content.

What an incredible insult to the Lord Our God! They rejected His loving bounty, and demanded to have what they craved, lusted after, and desired. Psalm 78 says God became so full of wrath that it is described as a fire kindled against Jacob.

Next God opened up the 'windows of heaven' and gave them manna just Like He always did. Then he caused a wind to drive vast numbers of quail into the camp in such a way that they could be easily captured.

If we'd been there and had become part of the 'rabble' no doubt we'd be exulting and praising God for finally meeting our needs. We'd have gotten the charcoal and barbecue sauce and had a great cookout! Oh sure we'd have used the manna too, maybe as breading for the 'main dish'. We'd have tore into the feast with gusto! We'd have stuffed our mouths so full of quail we couldn't talk. And then right as the full juicy and delectable savor of our meal filled our mouths: We'd have choked.... to death.

Whoa! What's going on? The people only wanted a little meat, just a side of quail. What's the big deal?

It's simple, really. God provided for every need that they had. When they complained about not having meat to eat they inferred that they knew better than God, that if He really cared, He would give them what they wanted. Psalms Chapter 78:22 (ESV) says what happened to them was: “because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.”

Do we have food? Are we clothed? Do we have shelter? Are we content with what god has given us? Or are we always craving more? Maybe 'Your best life now' is best achieved by skipping the side of quail.

Paul said it this way in 1 Timothy 6: 6-8 'A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.' (The Message)