Numbers 21:5 - The people spoke against God, and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loathes this disgusting bread.”
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What does "Numbers 21:5" mean?
Numbers 21:5 is a poignant example of the Israelites' recurring discontent and rebellion against God and Moses during their journey in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:
"The people spoke against God, and against Moses..." This highlights the target of their complaint. It wasn't just a grumble; it was a direct accusation and challenge to God's plan and Moses' leadership. They saw their hardship as a failure on the part of both, rather than a test or a necessary part of their journey to the Promised Land. This shows a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and promises.
"Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?" This is the core of their complaint. They are questioning the very purpose of the Exodus. Despite the slavery and suffering they endured in Egypt, they now idealize it in retrospect. They feel that death in the wilderness is a worse fate, even though God delivered them from oppression. This is a common theme: when faced with difficulties, people sometimes forget the problems they escaped and focus only on their present discomfort.
"For there is no bread, and there is no water..." This specifies their immediate concern: a lack of basic necessities. While God had been providing for them miraculously with manna and water from rocks, they perceived it as insufficient. This reveals a lack of gratitude and a demand for what they deemed to be acceptable provisions.
"...and our soul loathes this disgusting bread." This is the most telling part. "This disgusting bread" refers to the manna, the miraculous food God provided. They had grown weary of it. Calling it "disgusting" expresses extreme contempt and ingratitude. Manna represented God's constant provision and care, but they rejected it, revealing a deeper spiritual malaise:
Lack of Appreciation: They failed to appreciate the miraculous nature of the manna and the fact that God was providing for them in a barren wilderness.
Desire for Variety/Control: They craved the diverse foods they remembered from Egypt (Numbers 11:5) and resented their dependence on God's provision.
Spiritual Blindness: Their focus on physical comfort blinded them to the greater purpose of their journey and the blessings they had already received.
In summary, the verse reveals a profound failure of faith and gratitude on the part of the Israelites. They questioned God's motives, rejected His provision, and longed for the perceived security of their former slavery in Egypt, preferring immediate comfort to trusting in God's plan for their future. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complaining, ingratitude, and the importance of trusting in God's guidance even during difficult times. It also highlights the contrast between God's faithfulness and human fallibility.
Numbers 21:5 - The people spoke against God, and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loathes this disgusting bread.”
What does "Numbers 21:5" mean?
Numbers 21:5 is a poignant example of the Israelites' recurring discontent and rebellion against God and Moses during their journey in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Let's break down the meaning:
"The people spoke against God, and against Moses..." This highlights the target of their complaint. It wasn't just a grumble; it was a direct accusation and challenge to God's plan and Moses' leadership. They saw their hardship as a failure on the part of both, rather than a test or a necessary part of their journey to the Promised Land. This shows a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and promises.
"Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?" This is the core of their complaint. They are questioning the very purpose of the Exodus. Despite the slavery and suffering they endured in Egypt, they now idealize it in retrospect. They feel that death in the wilderness is a worse fate, even though God delivered them from oppression. This is a common theme: when faced with difficulties, people sometimes forget the problems they escaped and focus only on their present discomfort.
"For there is no bread, and there is no water..." This specifies their immediate concern: a lack of basic necessities. While God had been providing for them miraculously with manna and water from rocks, they perceived it as insufficient. This reveals a lack of gratitude and a demand for what they deemed to be acceptable provisions.
"...and our soul loathes this disgusting bread." This is the most telling part. "This disgusting bread" refers to the manna, the miraculous food God provided. They had grown weary of it. Calling it "disgusting" expresses extreme contempt and ingratitude. Manna represented God's constant provision and care, but they rejected it, revealing a deeper spiritual malaise:
Lack of Appreciation: They failed to appreciate the miraculous nature of the manna and the fact that God was providing for them in a barren wilderness.
Desire for Variety/Control: They craved the diverse foods they remembered from Egypt (Numbers 11:5) and resented their dependence on God's provision.
Spiritual Blindness: Their focus on physical comfort blinded them to the greater purpose of their journey and the blessings they had already received.
In summary, the verse reveals a profound failure of faith and gratitude on the part of the Israelites. They questioned God's motives, rejected His provision, and longed for the perceived security of their former slavery in Egypt, preferring immediate comfort to trusting in God's plan for their future. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complaining, ingratitude, and the importance of trusting in God's guidance even during difficult times. It also highlights the contrast between God's faithfulness and human fallibility.