The Quails
J. C. Gray. Numbers 11:31-35 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp… I. ISRAEL'S COMPLAINT. 1. Its object was food. 2. Its nature was intense. "Fell a lusting." 3. It was general. 4. It was accompanied with tears. A faint, weary, disappointed people. Tears, chiefly, of discontent. 5. It was associated with the retrospections of memory. "We remember," &c. (ver. 5). They should also have remembered some other things of that past. Their bondage, &c. 6. It made present things distasteful. "There is nothing at all." There was a time when they did not call the manna nothing. Longing for what we have not tends to cause disparagement of things possessed. II. MOSES' PERPLEXITY. Great popular leaders have often been perplexed by the unreasonable clamours of their followers. Have often been urged farther than their greater prudence and wisdom would have chosen. People have often damaged their own cause by exorbitant demands. 1. Moses displeased at the position in which he found himself. "My wretchedness " (ver. 15). His faith faltered (ver. 11, 12). Especially displeased with the people (ver. 10). 2. In his perplexity cried to the Lord. A good example. God " a present help in trouble." 3. He acknowledges his own weakness (vers. 21, 22). He could not feed the people. It would be suicidal to kill the flocks and herds, even if they were enough. Needed for sacrifice; and the religious well-being of the people of most importance. 4. He receives comfort, and direction (ver. 23). III. GOD'S PROVIDENCE. Nature is His storehouse, in which He has garnered food for man and beast. He made all living things. Endowed them with habits and instincts. Made the quails. Ordained their migratory habits. Made and ruled the winds. When the quails came, the wind was ready. It fulfilled the word of God. The wonderful flight of birds. The scene in the camp. What was sent so abundantly seems to have been thanklessly received. Divine anger went with the gift. Many of the people died. Learn — 1. To pray for the blessing of contentment. 2. To seek the moderation of our desires. 3. To pray for grateful hearts. 4. To acknowledge the hand of God in the supply of our wants. 5. To be chiefly anxious for the supply of spiritual need. (J. C. Gray.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. WEB: A wind from Yahweh went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.