Their Journeyings
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their eyes the continual evidences of his power. If they had possessed
true faith and a firm confidence in God, inconveniences and obstacles,
or even real suffering, would have been cheerfully borne, after the
Lord had wrought in such a wonderful manner for their deliverance
from servitude. Moreover, the Lord promised them if they would obey
his commandments, no disease should rest upon them; for he says, “I
am the Lord that healeth thee.”
After this sure promise from God, it was criminal unbelief in
them to anticipate that themselves and children might die with hunger.
They had suffered greatly in Egypt by being overtaxed in labor. Their
children had been put to death, and in answer to their prayers of
anguish, God had mercifully delivered them. He promised to be their
God, and take them to himself as a people, and to lead them to a large
and good land. But they were ready to faint at any suffering they
should endure in the way to that land. They had endured much in the
service of the Egyptians; but now could not endure suffering in the
service of God. They were ready to give up to gloomy doubts, and
sink in discouragement, when they were tried. They murmured against
God’s devoted servant, Moses, and charged him with all their trials,
and expressed a wicked wish that they had remained in Egypt, where
they could sit by the flesh-pots and eat bread to the full.
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The unbelief and murmurings of the children of Israel illustrate
the people of God now upon the earth. Many look back to them, and
marvel at their unbelief and continual murmurings, after the Lord had
done so much for them, in giving them repeated evidences of his love
and care for them. They think that they should not have proved thus
ungrateful. But some who thus think, murmur and repine at things
of less consequence. They do not know themselves. God frequently
proves them, and tries their faith in small things, and they do not
endure the trial any better than did ancient Israel.
Many have their present wants supplied, yet they will not trust the
Lord for the future. They manifest unbelief, and sink into despondency
and gloom at anticipated want. Some are in continual trouble lest they
shall come to want, and their children suffer. When difficulties arise,
or when they are brought into strait places—when their faith and love
to God is tested, they shrink from the trial, and murmur at the process
by which God has chosen to purify them. Their love does not prove
pure and perfect, to bear all things. The faith of the people of the God