“And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague” (Numbers 11:33).
TEXT — Numbers 11:31-35
Message
The purposes of God often develop slowly because His grand designs are never hurried. The great New England preacher, Phillips Brooks, was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day, a friend saw him feverishly pacing the floor like a caged lion. “What’s the trouble, Mr. Brooks?” he asked. “The trouble is that I’m in a hurry, but God isn’t!” Haven’t we felt the same way many times? The Israelites in our text had, by now, gained a reputation for impatience and unbelief.
Their perennial manner of wanting to force the hands of God whenever they were in need was a recurrent decimal. On this particular occasion, the mixed multitudes led the protest. Their demands this time were for the flesh, which their souls lusted after. Moses sneaked out of the camp into the presence of God – almost resigning unceremoniously – because he could not bear the burden anymore. God promised to respond by sending able helpers to assist in the work and to provide an answer to the people’s desires.
God kept His promise by sending a multitude of quails, which fell around the camp in abundance. But while the people were still eating the meat, without any show of gratitude to God, judgment fell and God punished them with a great plague. In analyzing the situation in today’s passage, we need to clearly separate the issues.
The problem was not about hunger or thirst, but the method with which they chose to press home their needs. Their verbal attack on Moses, combined with their utter disrespect for God, took away every pity and compassion they should get.
Leadership is a herculean task, especially when it involves leading a group of impatient and unthankful people. Impatience portrays immaturity. Patience produces peaceable and beneficial fruits of righteousness, divine favor, and rewardable outcomes of decisions taken while allowing God to have His way.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
6 comments
Good morning please the audio attached is not correct, they posted the one meant for Thursday…
I enjoyed reading and studing the Daily Manna which has greatly transform my life. I wish to continually thank God for the production of this pièce of treasure and for the grace upon Pastor Dr W F Kumuyi for the production of this Daily Manna year after year. Thank you Lord for mightily using your servant.
Good morning please the audio attached is not correct, they posted the one meant for Thursday…
Thanks for all you have been doing. It’s highly appreciated. Has really been of help.
Patience produces peaceable and beneficial fruits of righteousness,
God still using his servants in this presence as time passed. Man of God I pray for more fire
I enjoyed reading and studing the Daily Manna which has greatly transform my life. I wish to continually thank God for the production of this pièce of treasure and for the grace upon Pastor Dr W F Kumuyi for the production of this Daily Manna year after year. Thank you Lord for mightily using your servant.
Todays 05/04/23 audio does not match
the message published.