Blog
“Bemoanning the Manna”
Categories: Bulletin Articles, Clay Gentry
Numbers 11:6 vividly depicts the Israelites complaining during their wilderness wandering. “But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all; we have nothing but this manna to look at.” Imagine it: Daily, miraculous bread appeared from heaven – a gift, pure and simple. Yet, the Israelites grumbled. Their focus shifted from the blessing itself to a longing for what they didn’t have. They remembered the “good old days” in Egypt (which weren’t that good!), “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic” (Num 11:5). How soon they forget these free foods came at the cost of their lives as slaves.
Isn’t it just like us? We pray for a specific blessing. God answers. And then… we find something to complain about! Maybe the job isn’t exactly what we envisioned. Perhaps the answered prayer doesn’t align with our specific timeline. Or perhaps our health improves, but not as dramatically as we hoped, so we focus on the remaining symptoms instead of the progress made. Like the Israelites, we can minimize the blessing in front of us by comparing it to something else, something we think we’d rather have.
The Comparison Trap:
The Israelites’ issue wasn’t just ingratitude; it was comparison. They compared manna to the variety of foods they remembered in Egypt (BTW, have you ever noticed how they focus on the foods that give you bad breath?). Comparison is a dangerous game. It breeds discontent and steals our joy. Proverbs 27:20 wisely states, “Sheol and the abyss are never filled, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.” Just as the grave is never full, our eyes are never satisfied with what they see, constantly wanting more.
This insatiable desire fuels comparison, leading us to covet what others have and diminishing the blessings in our own lives. Like the Israelites, we can minimize the great blessings in front of us by comparing them to something else, something we think we’d rather have. This constant craving for “more” prevents us from appreciating the “enough” that God has already graciously provided.
Remembering God’s Faithfulness:
The antidote to complaining and comparison is remembering. The Israelites had notoriously short memories! Psalm 78 provides a powerful example of this cycle of divine faithfulness and human forgetfulness. The Psalmist recounts God’s mighty acts: "He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand like a heap. In the daytime, he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light… He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly… He rained down on them manna to eat.” (Psa 78:13-14, 15, 24). Yet, despite these clear demonstrations of His power and love, the Israelites “forgot His works and the wonders that He had shown them” (Psalm 78:11).
When we take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in our lives, remembering specific instances where He has intervened and provided, it shifts our perspective from what we lack to what we have been given, strengthening our trust in His continued provision. Just as the Psalmist urges remembrance, we, too, should “declare His glory among the nations” (Psa 78:4), both for our benefit and as a testimony to others.
Cultivating Contentment:
Philippians 4:11-12 gives us a powerful lesson in contentment: “Not that I speak regarding need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Contentment isn’t an innate human quality; it’s a learned skill, a discipline we must cultivate. It’s not about passively accepting our circumstances but rather actively choosing to trust in God’s provision and sovereignty, regardless of our situation.
The key to contentment lies in verse 13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” This acknowledges that true contentment comes not from our willpower but from the strength and grace that God provides. It’s a recognition of our dependence on Him and a surrender to His will.
Let’s challenge ourselves this week. When a complaint bubbles up, pause. Take a moment to acknowledge the blessings in your life that might be overshadowed by that grumbling spirit. Remember God’s faithfulness. Practice contentment. Instead of bemoaning the manna, let’s praise the Provider. This shift in perspective, from complaint to gratitude, can transform our hearts and minds. It allows us to experience the joy and peace that come from trusting in God’s abundant provision, even during challenging circumstances.
