The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 47

IV. THE ACTUAL mvINa. Here again we notice the tencler aud gentle dealino-s of God. The necessary and permanent supply of bread is preceded by a special and ~cca- sional supply of quails. By this gift he, as it were, runs towards Israel to soothe their murmurings. The flesh of Egypt was the thing they missed the most, and it comes first, in the evening; whereas the manna d!d not come till th~ next morning. By thi 8 supply of the quails God showed an attentiveness to the feelings of the people which should have had the best effect on their minds. They murmured against Moses, for"ot Jehovah, and yet Jehovah gave them in reply a delightful feast of quails. So to spe:k:, he was heaping coals of fire on their heads: and we should take special note of this Divine conduct, just in this particular place. It ·is very natural that as we consider Israel in the wilderness, we should think of God's severity rather than any other feature of his character. The whole tenor of the New Testament-the contrast between the law and the gospel-makes this view inevitable. But as we read the whole of this chapter, and ponder it carefully, how shall we do other than confess "Verily, ,Jehovah is love"? It is love that leads to Sinai. And assuredly there is not less of love in the thunders, lightnings and terrors of Sinai than in the gift of the quails. 'The expression is different-that is all. The quails were but a slight, passing thino-, bestowed upon Israel much as a toy is bestowed on a child. There is love in the gift of a toy; but there is love also in the discipline and chastisement which soon may follow from the same hand. So there was love in the quails; but there was equal love, stretching out to far deeper results, in the demonstrations of Sinai and the command- ments which accompanied them.-Y. Vere. 11-12. He nurtured them in the un1derness. Continual mention of murmur- ings; yet all such murmurings do not meet the same treatment (cf. Num. xi. 31-33). Much alike to outward seeming, but not so in the sight of God. (Illustration-tht> ruddy hue of health; the hot flush of passion; the hectic of consumption. AU much alike in appearance, yet how different to those who know what they betoken!) Com- paring the history of one murmuring with that of another, we can see by God's treatment of each how different must have been the states from which they resulted. Here it is the impatience of ill-instructed children; later on, it has become hostility and rebellion. Consider in this case : - 1. Tm: SYMPTOMS. Cf. vers. 3. The monotony of the wilderness had had time to teU upon the people; so different from the varied routine of Egypt. Slavery, too, had become, from long use, almost a second nature with many; they had chafed under it, yet, in some sort, they had relied upon its restraint as a support. After the first novelty has passed, unaccustomed freedom is felt to be a weariness. (Illustration: The cripple rejoices to be quit of his supporting irons and crutches, but without them, at first, ho soon tires.) Present privation, contrasted with past sufficiency, intensified the misgiv- ings which were sure to come when the new life was fairly entered upon. Freedom wedded to starvation seemed to be but a poor exchange for tyranny. "The people murmured." It was the murmuring of the half-weaned child, the yet weak though enfranchised cripple ; it expressed itself in strong language; but the language was stronger than the offence. Under the circumstances murmuring was so natural that it did not call for severe censure; it was rather a symptom of imperfect health, suggesting the need of strengthening medicine. II. THE TREATMENT. God knew what was the matter; His action shows His know- ledge. No rebuke, only a promise, which is to be, and is, fulfilled immediately. (Illus- tration: The doctor does not take offence at the irritability of the convalescent; says, "I will send some strengthening medicine," sends it, and relies on the effect.) A table spread in the wilderness; the love of freedom revived and strengthened, nurtured by the longed-for food. What should be the effect of such treatment? It stays murmur- ing, of course; but, further, it should strengthen against further murmuring. On thu other hand, whilst it may, as it ought to do, lead to reliance upon the provider, it may also lead to reliance upon the food provided. (Illustration: One patient, strengthene,l by medicine, will have more confidence in the doctor. Another, strengthened in like manner, will be always grumbling, whatever the circumstances, if he do not experience like treatment.) Practicul lessons.-!. Gnd treats us <1ll according to nur real rl,nractf'r and posit,(111,,  48 TIIE DOOK OF EXODUS. [err. XVI. 15.