Topical Bible: Israel: Complained for Food

◄ Israel: Complained for Food ►

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The narrative of Israel complaining for food is a significant episode in the history of the Israelites during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. This event is recorded primarily in the books of Exodus and Numbers, highlighting the challenges and spiritual lessons faced by the Israelites as they transitioned from slavery to becoming a covenant people under God.

Biblical Context

After the miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness, a place of testing and reliance on God. Despite witnessing God's mighty acts, the Israelites soon began to express dissatisfaction with their circumstances, particularly concerning their food supply.

Exodus 16: The Provision of Manna and Quail

In Exodus 16, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, expressing their longing for the "pots of meat" and "bread to the full" they had in Egypt (Exodus 16:3). In response, God provided manna, a miraculous bread from heaven, to sustain them. The manna appeared each morning, and the Israelites were instructed to gather only what they needed for each day, except on the sixth day when they gathered enough for the Sabbath rest.

The provision of manna was not only a physical sustenance but also a test of obedience and trust in God's provision. Despite the clear instructions, some Israelites disobeyed by attempting to gather more than needed, resulting in spoilage, and by going out to gather on the Sabbath, finding none.

Numbers 11: The Craving for Meat

The book of Numbers records a further instance of complaint when the Israelites expressed a strong craving for meat. Numbers 11:4-6 describes how the "rabble" among them incited the people to weep and lament over the lack of variety in their diet, reminiscing about the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic of Egypt. This dissatisfaction angered the Lord and distressed Moses.

In response, God provided quail in abundance, but this came with a severe consequence. As the people indulged in their craving, a plague struck them, and the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, meaning "graves of craving," because there they buried the people who had yielded to their intense desire (Numbers 11:31-34).

Spiritual Lessons and Theological Implications

The episodes of Israel complaining for food serve as a profound lesson on the importance of faith, contentment, and reliance on God's provision. The Israelites' grumbling reflected a lack of trust in God's ability to provide and a yearning for the comforts of their former life in Egypt, despite the bondage they had endured there.

These narratives underscore the human tendency to focus on immediate physical needs and desires, often at the expense of spiritual growth and obedience. The provision of manna and quail illustrates God's patience and mercy, yet also His justice in dealing with disobedience and ingratitude.

The Apostle Paul references these events in 1 Corinthians 10:6-10 , warning believers against setting their hearts on evil things as the Israelites did. This serves as a reminder for Christians to cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's provision, recognizing that He is faithful to meet the needs of His people according to His perfect will and timing.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 16:2,3
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... case. The children of Israel were always complaining about something. ...
water. The Israelites complained about their food. They ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Following the Cloud.
... Then a great shout went up from the host of Israel. ... and passed through a desert land,
where they could get no food, and again they complained to Moses ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... while it is the worst of which Israel was guilty ... First, their stores of food began
to give out and they ... They complained of their lot and murmured against Moses. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... insinuated, is, that hope has in it an excellent quality to support Israel in all ...
So again saith he in the next Psalm after, as afore he had complained of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

National Sins and Miseries
... respects, a remarkable resemblance between the case of Israel and our ... Such is the
want of food to which many of ... Above a hundred years ago the poet complained,. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 130 national sins and.htm

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
... that he could not deliver them, and complained that they ... Is it not said, "The strength
of Israel will not lie ... experience of it, may be likened to food: it is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/sin its spring-head stream and.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree
... had either left Him indifferent to food until the ... It is complained that by this act
Jesus deprived ... world's fruitfulness was yet remote, only Israel put forth ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 11 12-14 20-25 the barren.htm

How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ...
... 1. Now Ahab the king of Israel dwelt in Samaria, and ... water to drink; for as for his
food, ravens brought ... as her passions dictated to her, and complained to him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how ahab when.htm

A Successful Man of Affairs.
... Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his other children ... nor riches; Feed me with
the food that is ... Is there any evidence that Joseph complained because of the ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study vii a successful man.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... have been poor, and you have asked for food and raiment. ... realized the miracle of
the children of Israel in the ... done to God, and he has never complained of you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm