Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 16:1-3 (New Living Translation)

Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. ² There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.

³ “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

Life in the wilderness was difficult. Life in the dessert was difficult. Just look at the community of Israel as they struggle to make due. No wonder they wanted to return to Egypt where they had a solid roof over their heads. Why just look at how long they had to suffer.

oooops. They were on the road one month. One month, and they were already complaining about the hardships and wanting to return to die in Egypt.

What a bunch of ungrateful people. They sound like me and a lot of people I know today. Our lives are too hard. God wants too much from us. How silly we are.

Please God, help me in my unbelief, impatience, and just plain stupidity.