The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand (ability, power) limited (short, inadequate)? You shall see now whether My word will come to pass for you or not.”
Numbers 11:23 AMP
God showed His mercy to the Israelites, even though they did not honour Him. This is a testament to the fact that God’s power is not limited by our doubts and fears. The rabbles, to whom the LORD did not mean much, did not honour God in their greedy desire. They also led the Israelites into the same error The Israelites complained about the manna that God provided for them, and craved meat. They even wished to go back to Egypt, where they had been slaves. Let us consider how God describes their actions in His response to Moses:
“Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”
Numbers 11:18-20 NIV
Despite God delivering them from slavery, they rejected the LORD who brought victories and blessed them with manna. These were the same people who rejoiced at their victory over the Egyptian at the Red Sea, when God fulfilled His promise of Exodus 14:13. “…The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” Yet, God, in His mercy, looked past their sins and guilt. He proceeded to fulfill His promise, despite unbelief lurking in Moses’ heart. God heard their wailing and promised to give them meat for a whole month, until they became sick of it.
But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
Numbers 11:21-22 NIV
Moses was astonished by God’s promise. He wondered how God could provide enough meat for six hundred thousand men on foot, plus women and children. But thank God for His mercies, as He looked past Moses’ unbelief, which could have hindered the manifestation of God’s power. He asked God if all the flocks and herds, or all the fish in the sea, would be enough for them. However, God replied, “Don’t limit my power You will see that I can do what I say I can do.” (Numbers 11:23 ERV)
God proved His word to Moses and the people. He sent a wind that brought quails from the sea and let them fall near the camp. The people gathered the quails and prepared them for food.
What can we learn from this story? First, we should be grateful for God’s provision and not complain about what we don’t have. God knows what we need, and He is able to supply it. Also, we should not doubt God’s power and His promises. God is not limited by our human logic or resources. He can do far more than we can ask or imagine. Additionally, we should not test God’s patience and provoke His wrath. God is merciful and gracious, but He is also holy and just. He will not tolerate our rebellion and ingratitude.
“Nobody was there to meet me, when I came to help you. When I called out to you, nobody answered me. Do you think that my arm is too weak to rescue you? Am I not strong enough to save you? Look! I can speak to the sea so that it becomes dry! I can cause rivers to become deserts. Then the fish die because they have no water.”
Isaiah 50:2 EASY
In conclusion, let us trust God and honour Him with our words and actions. Let us take away every form of unbelief, so, that we may receive the fulfilment of His promises. He is able to do great things for us, if we are willing to follow Him and obey Him. He is the LORD, and there is no one like Him.
