BeHaalotcha 36-7

When you lift up

Numbers 11:30 ­ 12:16

All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No-one gathered less than ten homers. Then they spread them out all around the camp. But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.

Num. 11:32-33 NIVUK

Why did the anger of the Eternal burn against the people?

The mixed multitude that came out from Egypt with the sons and daughters of Israel had an insatiable desire for meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. They despised the manna that came from the Eternal's kind hand every day. This attitude infected the sons of Israel who cried: "Who will give us meat to eat?" (11:4) The Eternal, who is kind, showed His power sending quail so they would have meat for a whole month.

But His wrath burnt against the people, and many died for it. The reason is that they rejected the Eternal with their attitude (11:20). All the treatment that the Eternal gave His people in the desert was in order to shape their character and create a sanctified people similar to the Messiah. Part of this treatment was food. The manna was given to hone their temperaments. The Eternal wanted to teach them to be grateful for that amazing miracle that fed them every day. Those who give thanks before and after eating protect their souls against this bad attitude.

The Eternal could have given them meat, fish, fruits and vegetables every day in the desert, but He didn't in order to prepare them for the conquest of the promised land. He who can't defeat his bad desires can't conquer bigger promises. He who isn't able to control his biological instincts can't be part of a sacred army. He who is able to control his mind is stronger than the one who takes a whole city.

All this is what the Eternal wanted to teach his people in the desert, and that's why He made them go through all they went through. But instead of trusting in His kindness and believing in His promises, they were controlled and carried away by their animal instincts thus rejecting the divine treatment for their lives. Those people never achieved the goal. 

Dear disciple of the Messiah: the Eternal is the Lord of whatever circumstance in your life. If He allows you to go through difficulties and anguish, it's in order to purify you from your sin. Be careful not to give room to the animal instincts of your flesh. Allow Him to purify you from all that. Be grateful for the few or many things you have, and the Eternal will entrust you with more.

Shabbat shalom,

Ketriel