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Tuesday, 1 June 2021
Lessons from the wilderness

Question of the day: There it is ... Numbers 11:23b "Is Adonai's arm too short?"

Answer: This is yet another type of arm, a Yad in Hebrew. We use this name, Yad, for the pointer we hold as we read the Torah. The Shoresh of "short" is Katzar (Kuf-Tzadi-Resh), which is the Shoresh for "harvest." God is saying that His "Arm" meaning His "ability" is not short (but capable of accomplishing His will) to bring in a harvest of meat.

God is asking Moses rhetorically, in answer to Moses' question, (I'm paraphrasing here) "Where will I get enough meat to feed all these people for an entire month?" Moses even asks if there are enough fish in the sea to feed them all. God's simple reply is (I'm also paraphrasing here), "Don't doubt me."

What are our "take-aways" on this? Three come to mind immediately.

First, stop grumbling. Be very careful about complaining. Avoid it at every opportunity. Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing."

Secondly, don't doubt God. Yes, He can provide meat to millions of people in the middle of the desert for a month. Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am Adonai, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?"

Third, be careful what you ask for ... The people wanted meat and complained. God made them eat meat until it was running out of their noses. When God was done with them, they were sick of meat. Proverbs 21:23 "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul out of troubles." And if that doesn't work for you, try this (it's one of my favorites) ... Proverbs 17:28 "Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding."

Let's meditate on some closing remarks from Paul ... 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 "See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Messiah Yeshua. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophetic messages, but test all things, hold fast to what is good, keep away from every kind of evil."

Blessings my friends. R. Michael.

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 10:00am Comment Comments: 0