From Sinai to Kadesh
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Satan tempted them to regard this restriction as unjust and cruel.
He caused them to lust after forbidden things, because he saw that the
unrestrained indulgence of appetite would tend to produce sensuality,
and by this means the people could be more easily brought under his
control. The author of disease and misery will assail men where he
can have the greatest success. Through temptations addressed to the
appetite he has, to a large extent, led men into sin from the time when
he induced Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. It was by this same means
that he led Israel to murmur against God. Intemperance in eating and
drinking, leading as it does to the indulgence of the lower passions,
prepares the way for men to disregard all moral obligations. When
assailed by temptation, they have little power of resistance.
God brought the Israelites from Egypt, that He might establish
them in the land of Canaan, a pure, holy, and happy people. In the
accomplishment of this object He subjected them to a course of disci-
pline, both for their own good and for the good of their posterity. Had
they been willing to deny appetite, in obedience to His wise restric-
tions, feebleness and disease would have been unknown among them.
Their descendants would have possessed both physical and mental
strength. They would have had clear perceptions of truth and duty,
keen discrimination, and sound judgment. But their unwillingness to
submit to the restrictions and requirements of God, prevented them,
to a great extent, from reaching the high standard which He desired
them to attain, and from receiving the blessings which He was ready
to bestow upon them.
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Says the psalmist: “They tempted God in their heart by asking
meat for their lust. Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God
furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, He smote the rock, that
the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can He give bread
also? can He provide flesh for His people? Therefore the Lord heard
this, and was wroth.”
Psalm 78:18-21
. Murmuring and tumults had
been frequent during the journey from the Red Sea to Sinai, but in pity
for their ignorance and blindness God had not then visited the sin with
judgments. But since that time He had revealed Himself to them at
Horeb. They had received great light, as they had been witnesses to
the majesty, the power, and the mercy of God; and their unbelief and
discontent incurred the greater guilt. Furthermore, they had covenanted
to accept Jehovah as their king and to obey His authority. Their