That which so deeply afflicted Moses, excited, in a very high degree,
III. The displeasure of God —
It is instructive to observe in what manner God manifested his displeasure —
[He granted their wishes, and sent them such abundance of quails, that for many miles round their camp they lay above a yard thick upon the ground. The people with great avidity began to gather them up. For two whole days and a night did they occupy themselves in this work: so he who gathered least among them, gathered ten homers, or eighty bushels. Now they began to revel upon the spoil ; but whilst the flesh was in their mouths, even before it was chewed, God smote them with a very great plague, whereof many thousands of
them diedg How strongly did God mark their sin in
their punishment !]
But we are peculiarly interested in the end for which he thus displayed his indignation —
[He expressly tells us, that it was for our sakes, and to make them ensamples unto ush. He designed to teach us " not to lust after evil things, as they lusted." O that we could learn that lesson, and take warning by them ! "We are ready to think it a light matter to be dissatisfied with what we have, and to be longing for what we have not : but God has shewn us that he does not account it light : he deems it a contempt of him and of the rich mercies he has vouchsafed unto us ; and as such, he will sooner or later visit it with fiery indignation ]
Suffer ye then, Brethren, a word of exhortation —
1. Guard against the contagion of bad example —
[It was " the mixed multitude" who first began to mur- mur1; and from them the dissatisfaction spread through all the tents of Israel. Thus did Judas infect all the disciples k. Thus shall we ever find it in the Church : " a little leaven is sufficient to leaven the whole lump." If there be any one of a carnal, worldly, querulous and contentious spirit, be sure to let him have no influence over your mind. Reject his counsels as poison ; and follow none any further than they follow Christ ]
2. Cultivate a contented spirit —
[" Be contented with such things as ye have." It is better
g ver. 32, 33. with Ps. lxxviii. 17—31. h 1 Cor. x. 6, 10, 11. i ver. 4. They were Egyptians, who accompanied the Israelites. k Compare Matt. xxvi. 7 — 9. with John xii. 4 — 6.