What attitudes should we avoid when receiving God's blessings, as seen in Numbers 11? The Setting: God’s Miraculous Provision • Numbers 11:7 highlights the manna’s beauty: “Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin.” • This daily, supernatural bread pictured God’s constant care (Deuteronomy 8:3). Yet just a few verses earlier and later (vv. 1–6, 10, 18–20) the people grumbled, craved meat, and provoked the LORD’s anger. • From their reaction we learn what to guard against whenever God blesses us. Attitudes to Avoid When Receiving God’s Blessings 1. Complaining Instead of Praising • “The people raged against the LORD” (Numbers 11:1). • Philippians 2:14: “Do everything without murmurings or arguments.” • 1 Corinthians 10:10 warns that grumbling Israelites “were destroyed by the destroying angel.” • Complaint blinds us to the goodness right in front of us. 2. Craving Variety When God Gives Sufficiency • Numbers 11:5: “We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt… but now our appetite is gone.” • They tired of manna’s sameness; we can tire of familiar blessings—steady income, health, routine church life—forgetting they’re miracles of grace. 3. Romanticizing the Past • Their memory of Egypt ignored slavery (Exodus 1:13–14). • Ecclesiastes 7:10 cautions against longing for “the former days” as though they were better. Ungrateful nostalgia poisons present joy. 4. Coveting What Others Have • “The rabble among them craved other food” (Numbers 11:4). • Luke 12:15: “Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” • Covetous desire says, “God, Your gift is not enough.” 5. Entitlement and Demanding Spirit • They wept at their tents, demanding meat (Numbers 11:10, 13). • Instead of humble requests (Philippians 4:6), they issued ultimatums, presuming on divine generosity. 6. Ingratitude Toward the Giver • James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” • Romans 1:21 links failure to give thanks with darkened hearts. • Gratitude secures blessings; ingratitude forfeits them. 7. Doubting God’s Power to Provide Differently • Moses himself asked, “Where can I get meat for all these people?” (Numbers 11:13). • The LORD answers in v. 23: “Is the LORD’s arm too short?” • Unbelief limits our expectation of God’s creative provision (Hebrews 11:6). Healthy Responses to God’s Gifts • Contentment—Hebrews 13:5: “Be content with what you have.” • Continuous thanksgiving—1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in every circumstance.” • Joyful remembrance—Psalm 103:2: “Forget not all His benefits.” • Faith for tomorrow—Matthew 6:33 assures that “all these things” are added when we seek His kingdom first. Guarding our hearts against these seven attitudes keeps us receptive, worshipful, and ready for even more of the Lord’s faithful provision. |
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