“Kindling the Anger of the Lord”

 

DISCUSSION                        

            Why do we generally think that the grass is always greener on the other side?  In Numbers 11-13, the Israelites should have things pretty much going their way; they are getting close to the Promise Land, they are enjoying manna every morning and they know that God is on their side.  However, contentment has never been one of their strong points. They have begun to grow tired of the manna and now they are having cravings for the things that they cannot have.  Why is it always the case that when you cannot have something that it becomes the one thing that you want the most.  In their current situations, they are now dreaming about the fish, the melons, the onions and the cucumbers; all of which are not available in the desert. So, they do what any other red blooded human being would do; they complain.  The manna that used to satisfy them has now become something that they don’t even want to look at (Numbers 11.6).  The Bible tells us that when they begin to complain, the anger of the Lord begins to kindle (Numbers 11.1). That word “kindle” means “to glow, to grow warm” or “begin to blaze”.  Now I don’t know about you, but having the Creator of the Universe’s anger set ablaze is not something that I would want to do.   Could it be that our Lord feels the same way when He hears us complain?  The words of Paul seem to answer that in the affirmative, “We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:9-10) The New Testament encourages us to “do all things without grumbling or complaining” (Philippians 2.14).  Maybe the next time we complain, these are the verses that we should contemplate.

PRAYER REQUESTS:_________________________________________________________________

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday - October 4, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study TUESDAY BIBLE READING:    Genesis 32:22-32 Do you want to be blessed? That sounds like a rhetorical question, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t want to be blessed? I guess it really depends on your definition of “blessed.” Many people desire blessings that will make them wealthy or, perhaps, material goods. However, being blessed is not limited to those physical things. In fact, sometimes we can be blessed in the most unusual ways. For instance, in Genesis 32:26, we find Jacob wrestling with what we often call an angel. Within the story, Jacob is overtaking the angel and holding him down; refusing to let go until the angel gives him a blessing. The angel obliges Jacob, but not in the way he might have imagined. The angel changed his name from “Jacob” to “Israel,” but he also did something else. He put Jacob’s hip joint out of socket, causing him much pain and difficulty walking. In part, his blessing had to do with him walking with a limp. How is tha...
Read more

Resolutions: Draw closer to God through study of His word

BIBLE READING: John 14.7 Spend time alone with God’s Word.  Besides the spiritual growth we will gain from study, we will also come to know Him better.  Reading His word brings us in touch with Him.  Jesus tells us in John 14:7 – “If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also.”   Just studying the life of Jesus will help us to know God better.   In seeking God’s help, we can draw closer to Him through prayer, meditation, nature, and study.   “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2  I Tim.4:13,15 - “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them.”   Regardless of our circumstances we can rely on God’s unchanging character.  God is good. God loves me. God is with me. God knows my problems. God cares. Romans 8:31(b) tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Make a resolution to slo...
Read more

“Examples”

BIBLE READING: Mark 13- Luke 1 DISCUSSION                                                                                   This past week we have read of some great examples in the bible.   We read in Mark 13 about us being ready and being prepared for when Jesus returns.   We need to all stay awake!   In Mark 14 we read of one action having such an impact.   How this woman gave her very best to Jesus because of her love for Him.   In Mark 15 we read of Pontius Pilate and his desire to keep his power.   He loved his power and did not want to give it up even if that meant sending an inno...
Read more