Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (Numbers 11:4-6)

Scenes of this chapter provide a glimpse of the pathetic character of Israel. Their constant grumbling is a source of extreme irritation for Moses, their leader. (Vs.11) “Manna, manna, all we have is a manna!” Could this same kind of dissatisfaction be found in our hearts?

It is first worth noting just where the sin began. A “mixed multitude“ or foreigners were living among the people of God. A cry among these aliens seems to incite a rebellion among the Israelites. Thus, the danger of listening to the counsel of friends of the world, especially when one’s faith and commitment are challenged. 

The Israelites had forgotten all that God had done for them. They do remember the manna, only to grumble about it. They are mindful of the delicacies of Egypt, but have they forgotten how they were treated in bondage? Their exaggerated language: “our whole being is dried up“; “we have nothing“, reveals much about their ungrateful heart. Jesus has conquered sin and death, yet how easy it is for us to complain about matters far less important.

And so the people demanded flesh, and God gave them flesh beyond their request. They get their desire, but not God‘s blessing. One must be careful to become impatient with our real or imagined hardships. What we receive may not offer the pleasure that we are looking for.

To avoid the dangers of such thanklessness, we must take our eyes off the pleasures offered by the world. We must flee these harmful lusts, and turn our hearts to pursue heavenly objects. We must make the Father’s business the main thing, and pray: “Father, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. 

By George Slover

The general theme of this Psalm refers to God’s special favor to the Israelites in the restoration from captivity. However, it may be regarded as a celebration of God’s merciful providence to all men in various trials. A call to thanksgiving and praise is the repeating chorus in the Psalm. (See verses 8,15,21,31,43)

How often in the course of life are we dependent upon the kindness of the Lord! Every temporal need including the security of home, the kindness of a friend, healing in times of illness or depression, and the sustenance of daily bread all come from God. In addition to these things, the Lord gives us all of the tools to deliver us from spiritual bondage and the unsound use of our lives.  God mercifully paves the way for the solace of fellowship with him.

Sadly, our view of God’s lovingkindness is often skewed. We want God to make us happy. We want God to “keep the deal that we make with him”. However, according to this Psalm the lovingkindness of the Lord is bringing our heart and our will to be at one with him. This is his blessed and most loving gift. When this is absent, no amount of earthly good satisfies or can make us really blessed. When this is present, no amount of earthly sorrow can rob the soul of its peace and trust. This then is the lovingkindness of the Lord. It is found in a heart that always says to God, “thy will be done“.

Thus, understanding the lovingkindness of God requires a humble heart. The rebellious must be humbled. (vs. 12) The Psalm pictures various situations from the wilderness (vs. 14) to prison (vs.16), to the sea. (vs. 23)  In each scene, the self-trusting soul has turned to one who is meek and lowly. This change is absolutely necessary for there to be true peace with God.

Through the process of God’s discipline and word, his lovingkindness can humble the proud heart. It convicts one of sin and removes the spirit of self-sufficiency. Those who yield will find true contentment with God.

We can never measure what we owe to God for his daily lovingkindness. Indeed, it is only the wise who will observe and take account of the Divine source of all human blessings.  Thus, the Psalm ends in this manner: Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. (Psalm 107:43)

By George Slover

and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”  (Ephesians 1:19)

In this context we have the first of two prayers recorded in this letter. The apostle is praying that his listeners may know the working of God’s surpassing power in their lives. The same theme is repeated in at least two other places in this letter. (Ephesians 3:20; Ephesians 6:10)

Paul uses strong modifiers to magnify the power of God. The word “power“ speaks of strength and ability. Added to this power is God’s “working“ (energia). Thus, Paul pictures a power that is active. Then, the apostle adds “mighty“ (kratos) which denotes the presence and significance of force. Paul heaps up language as though the idea of God‘s power is too great for expression.

The resurrection of Christ illustrates God‘s power. The same power behind this marvelous event now works in the hearts of God’s disciples. This image is often used by the same author (Romans 6:1-13; Colossians 2:10-13; Galatians 2:20) to illustrate the spiritual renewal that takes place when one is committed to Christ. The child of God, once dead in sin, has been made alive and made to sit with Jesus in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:5)

God’s power was first exerted at the beginning of the Christian’s life. The gospel is the power of God to salvation. (Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians1:5)  By God’s power the sinner is translated from darkness into the kingdom of God’s Dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)

As disciples persevere in this relationship, God’s power continues to work in their lives. The disciples are kept for salvation by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:5) “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” ( 2 Thessalonians 1:11)  God‘s power is everywhere at work in the disciple’s life.

God is determined to use his power to fulfill his Divine purpose. The progress of each disciple can be an experience of this exceeding great power. Dear reader, if you will allow, the heavenly Father is able to do wonders in your life.

By George Slover

Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might,Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

These two verses hardly describe the condition of Judah at the time of the writing. However, for future reference perhaps Jeremiah wishes to point out all of the nation’s failures.

During Jeremiah‘s day Judah had prided herself in the wisdom of alliances with such nations as Egypt and Assyria. The army of Judah was thought to be strong, and Jerusalem impregnable. And the many days of peace had allowed the nation to accumulate wealth.

The United States of America has celebrated it’s 244th birthday. Our’s is a nation of unprecedented freedom, vast resources, and unparalleled wealth. America prides herself in wisdom, prosperity, and strength, but it is a nation of people who have lost their moral bearing. Our wise Statesmen, extraordinary wealth, and mighty armies apart from a moral compass are worthless. 

In such a society, disciples of Christ are tempted to overvalue the things of this world. It is tempting to think of our education, money, and power as sources of security. We sadly assume that the accumulation of wealth protects us from heartache, that our wisdom can out-wit the other guy, and our imposing physical prowess will avoid calamity. However Jesus rebukes such foolishness with a parable about a rich man in Luke’s Gospel. (See Luke 12:16-21)

The true glory of man is the knowledge of God. The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God and rejoice in his presence. All other pursuits are subordinate to this one. Disease, death, and financial loss can destroy our earthly treasures, but they cannot destroy our relationship with God.

The prophet lists three marks of the one who has the knowledge of God. It is manifested in fruits of loving kindness toward others, justice or equity in human affairs, and walking in righteousness toward God. Those who truly know God live by those things that God approves.

It is tempting for us to rejoice unduly in those things that derive from education and wealth. But nothing compares with a knowledge of God that connects us with heaven, immortality, and the influence of godly character by which we may and enrich the lives of others.

By George Slover

 

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”  (Psalms 51:17)

God’s people are to offer sacrifices to Him. Peter says that they are to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (1 Peter 2:5) Their gifts to God include ministering to others, worshiping God, and holy living.

Certainly the sinner can make no atonement for sin. He has no hope without the mercy of God. Under Moses’ law, the bulls and goats that were offered as an atonement for sin, did not fully satisfy the justice of God nor the conscience of man.  Thus, God’s wrath was only fully appeased with the sacrifice of Christ. (see Hebrews 9:12-14) Through the death of Christ, the penitent sinner is purified so that he can offer acceptable gifts to God. (Titus 2:11-14)

The Bible teaches that our gifts to God must be offered with a broken and contrite heart. One glorifies God by recognizing God‘s infinite holiness. While one may sin against his neighbor but, ultimately one’s sin is against God.

The broken and contrite heart implies that one has surrendered themselves fully to God. Only God can fully pardon and renew the spirit. God delights in our humility, because then and only then can he mold us into what he wants us to be.

However, a second, but related attitude must be coupled with a broken heart before the sacrifice is accepted by God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul the king of Israel was commanded by God to “go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”(1 Samuel 15:3)
Instead, of heeding the voice of God, Saul spared the sheep and oxen and lambs to offer as a sacrifice to God. (see 1 Samuel 15:9,15) God was displeased with Saul.

When Samuel the prophet confronted Saul about the matter, he related an important principle. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams”.(1 Samuel 15:22) To please God the sacrifice must be coupled with the heart of submission and obedience. God is not pleased with gifts that he has not authorized.

Sacrifices that God has not approved are viewed as rebellion. In such actions man makes himself a worshiper of self rather than God.  Such sacrifices focus on pleasing the carnal person rather than on the Lord. Such sacrifices dishonor the Lord who is holy and good.

When one comes to the altar with gifts to God, first they must approach God with gratitude, for such offerings are only accepted because of God‘s mercy. And second, one must fully yield to God by giving him only what he approves.

By George Slover