NUMBERS 11:18-20

Q: Do the Israelite not know why God took them out of Egypt!? Again in these verses they say, "We were better off in Egypt."

This is just one of seven times (according to the Talmud) that the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses in the wilderness. These rebellions seem strange to us since we would like to feel that in their place we would be grateful to have escaped a life of slavery and have the promise of a brand new land to settle in. However, before we judge them too harshly, it is wise to consider several aspects of common human nature illustrated in this story that may strike a chord with us personally:

1. We often look at the past through rose-colored glasses and remember the good times while conveniently ignoring all the difficult ones.

2. There is an old saying: “Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.” Even though the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt and had to work hard, their basic needs of food, water and shelter were all met. In the wilderness, they faced nothing but uncertainties UNLESS they chose to place all their faith in God's promises of a better future in the promised land.

3. Many of us act as “practical atheists” in our everyday life. We trade in long-term, eternal rewards in favor of immediate pleasures, not unlike Esau trading his blessing for a pot of stew.

Enough of sermonizing!