Manna-less people

There was an interesting man preaching at church today. I think he did such a great job of making me think as he preached, that I have forgotten his name already. He said heavy things and threw about challenge after challenge as he unrelentingly spoke the Word of God. He quoted scripture and told rib-cracking stories that kept us all glued to the invisible screen. One particular Bible story that he referred to was that of the golden calf idol made by Aaron for the sinful children of Israel.

Of course God went on to punish many people because of this and Aaron’s leadership skills, or lack thereof, was put on display for all to see. A thought struck me at this point. If these guys were so evil, why didn’t God just withhold manna from heaven and let them die a natural death? God could also have added something lethal to the stuff and made it poisonous and in this way eradicate the problem. Why didn’t God stop feeding them and renewing their shoes and clothes for all those years?

We are told so many times that lack or poverty is a curse and we equate need with sin. These guys were in gross sin and yet God did not withhold the supply of food or cancel the dressing contract. We all have seasons of plenty and seasons of want, but the level of supply varies from one person or family to another. It is important to recognize the season you are in and to learn how to grow deeper in God through whatever experiences characterize the season that you are in.