"We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; (Numbers 11:5)

The eleventh chapter of Numbers seems to be a chapter of complaints, first at Taberah, then at Kibroth-Hattavah in which the Israelites were harping about the manna God had provided.  Moses lifts his voice to God:  "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? (Numbers 11:11) The catalyst of Israel’s murmuring seems to be the mixed multitude (vs.4) that had come with them out of Egypt.  God’s chosen ones sympathized with the “riff raff” rather than being grateful for what God had provided.

The source of Israel’s complaint springs from hearts that desired to go back to the past.  (vs.2)  Dissatisfied with the manna, they craved the delicacies of Egypt.  Boredom can cause God’s people to fall away.  The joy of fellowship can lose its excitement.  Fleshly pleasure, though it is accompanied with bondage, is more alluring than the monotony of faith, hope, and love.  Sin that satisfies the flesh has more attraction than the sweet word of God that satisfies the soul.  

The Lord gives us all that we need and more. (Romans 8:32)  His word shows us the way out of the pollution of the world and points us to an abundant life.  But some, out of contempt for God’s bounty, crave the things that lead to slavery.  These mal-contents passionately desire earthly gain, lament earthly losses, and show disrespect for the gifts from heaven.

God allowed Israel’s request to be granted to the extent that the meat they so desired became loathsome. (vs. 20)  When one’s heart is totally given to obtaining the coveted object, he may receive it with its just consequences.  The lust is rewarded with unstinted gratification accompanied with a reminder that that which was so desired does not fully satisfy.  Thus, the man punishes himself, the Lord providing the means of destruction.  

God not only bestows on us with the daily bread, but lavishly imparts manna for the soul.  Like Israel our daily provisions should move us to thanksgiving.

George Slover

 

Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel!" because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. (1 Samuel 4:21)

The time of the Judges is one of the most depressing periods of Old Testament history.  The early days of Samuel were no exception.  Eli, the high priest, had failed as a father.  His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, instead of being righteous leaders, possessed the character of a morally corrupt society.  Out of these surroundings, our historian briefly notes the life of a remarkably devout woman.

The wife of Phinehas, the son of Eli, gave birth to a son.  The Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines.  As this devout woman is dying, she names her son Ichabod – meaning “no glory”.  Her dying words are recorded here:  "The glory has departed from Israel!"  

The loss of the Ark was symbolic of the pitiful spiritual condition of Israel.  The Tables of the Covenant, the law that guided Israel, was lost. The mercy-seat from which Israel could be forgiven was inaccessible.  The Ark of the Covenant represented Jehovah’s favor, guidance, protection, and fellowship.  “The glory of Israel” was the enjoyment of the highest distinction that God can possibly confer- namely being God’s chosen people.

Today, God’s special people (I Peter 2:9,10) are those who have accepted Christ as Savior.  They are called to live holy lives and be committed to God’s work.  God guides them through his word.  They can receive limitless mercy through God’s son.  (I Peter 2:10)  However, God’s protection and favor can be withdrawn.

New Testament writers warned of apostasy.  When those who have known the way of righteousness, turn from the holy commandment delivered to them, the glory departs from Israel. (2 Peter 2:21)  When a local church ignores the passion or pattern God wishes for them to follow, God removes the candlestick. (Revelation 2:3)  

The presence of God should be counted our greatest blessing, his departure our most dreaded calamity.  May we do everything in our power to preserve it!

George Slover

The following is from Life, Letters and Sermons of T.B. Larimore, pg. 147,148

It is human to stand with the crowd; divine to stand alone.  It is man-like to follow the people, to drift with the tide; God-like to follow a principle, to stem the tide.  It is natural to compromise conscience and follow social and religious fashions for the sake of gain or pleasure; divine to defy fashion and sacrifice both gain and pleasure –worldly glory, too- on the altar of truth and duty.

“No man stood with me, all men forsook me,” wrote the battle-scared apostle Paul describing his first appearance before Nero, to answer for his life for believing and teaching contrary to the Roman world.  Loyalty and truth have been out of fashion since man changed his robe of fadeless light for a garment of faded leaves.

Noah built and voyaged alone.  His neighbors laughed, doubtless, at his strangeness and perished in style.  Abraham wandered and worshipped alone.  Sodomites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the fashion and fed the flames.  Daniel dined and prayed alone.  Elijah sacrificed and witnessed alone.  Jeremiah prophesied and wept alone.  Jesus lived and died alone.

Of the lonely way his disciples  should walk, he said, “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Of their treatment by the many who walk in the broad way, he said,  “If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”  

The church in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses.  The church of the Kings praised Moses and persecuted the prophets.  Caiphas praised the prophets and persecuted Christ.  The church of the popes praised the Savior and persecuted the saints.  And multitudes now, both in the church and in the world, applaud the courage of the patriarchs and prophets, the apostles, and martyrs; but condemn as stubbornness, ignorance or foolishness, like faithfulness to truth and duty today.

Wanted, today:  Men and women, young and old, who will obey their convictions of truth and duty at the cost of fame, fortune, friends, and life itself.
 

And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:61-62)

Tucumcari, New Mexico is situated on a well traveled highway that connects the east with the west.  While I lived there my office was just few blocks from old Route 66.  It was quite often that a transient would knock on the door of the church building looking for food and gas money.  “Well”, I said to one beggar, “the local church is only authorized to help saints from its treasury.”  His next question should have been anticipated:  “What does it take to become one”?

We do ourselves and others a great disservice when we fail to clearly spell out the high cost of following Jesus.  Churches might have fewer people, but those they have will really be pledged to Christ.  Jesus never invited anyone to follow him under false pretenses.  

In the context we have three possible followers of Jesus.  The first candidate (Luke 9:57,58)  made a hasty promise:  "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."   Here is a man of impulse who never really counts the cost.  The Lord reminds him that there will be no guaranteed reservations at the motel.  Following Jesus does not assure the comforts of the world.

The second one (Luke 9:59) wants to join the Lord after he has first buried his father.  Jesus points this would-be disciple to the urgency of preaching the kingdom.  We must cease upon the opportunities when they present themselves.  When a conflict arises between human ties and Christ, He claims first place.

The third candidate wants to first go bid his family good-bye.  He wants to be a disciple without the sacrifice.  He was not motivated by the importance of the mission.

Consider Jesus’ reply to this third candidate:  "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  Success in discipleship first demands our full concentration.  To take our eyes off of the task ahead may result in a crooked furrow.  Many worldly things easily distract us from our most important work.  We must have a steadfast eye.  We must contribute all of our strength and energy to His cause.

Jesus is worth the very best we can offer.  Our work is clearly laid out for us.  “I have decided to follow Jesus.  No turning back.  No turning back.”

By George Slover