TIRED OF MANNA Numbers 11:4-9,18-20,31-33
Intro: Manna is a Hebrew word. Its literal meaning is, "what is it" or more colloquial "whatchmacallit" It was a miraculous gift from God. Manna is interesting stuff. Looked like a little bead or seed, frost like. Came every morning except the Sabbath. Its taste was like honey, or fresh oil. Made into many different dishes. The children of Israel lived on it for 40 years.
It was a complete food. All vitamins and minerals. (in Deut. mention is made that the Israelites feet didn't swell in the wilderness. 'no beri beri)
Manna was Gods miracle food. God's nourishing provision to see Israel though the wilderness experience.
Today Jesus Christ is our provision. God's nourishment for us in our journey. JOHN 6:48-50
Israel had just had a mighty victory. (Red sea) Satan took a bad beating. But he doesn't give up. He lays a devious trap. Into the hearts of some he was able to plant the seeds of discontent.
With God providing their every need Israel complained. We need to be on guard lest we fall into the same trap.
I. Notice when the trap was laid.
A. After a great victory.
1.Satan reserves his most devious, sneaking, cunning attacks for when we are reveling in a spiritual victory.
a. When you have a victory don't dare relax. Don't get complacent. Don't think you have conquered Satan. DON'T QUIT DOING THE THINGS THAT BROUGHT YOU THE VICTORY. (Pray when in battle, pray just as fervently in victory.)
b.Be Alert- -expect an entrapment.
II. Notice the character of the trap.
A. Not another open battle with the enemy. Not a battle without but a battle within. 1.A battle within the heart.
a. God's provision vs. our desires
What we want vs. what God wants for us
Frankly, I'm concerned for some of you. You have fought the battle, depended on God for your supply. You trusted God. BUT NOW the battle is over, you are prosperous, you buy whatever you want. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRUST GOD ANYMORE. YOU HAVE QUIT GOD. You have fallen into Satan's trap of prosperity.
A SNARE IS SET IN YOUR HEARTS,
B. The trap Satan sets isn't between the good and the bad. But between the BEST and the Good.
1.Notice what they wanted. Fish, IS GOOD (where are they, in the desert) Condiments are good (cukes, onions garlic, etc.) But they aren't nourishing they aren't Egypt's garnishes.
2.Just days before the Israelites were in need of water. So god gave it. They needed food, SO GOD gave manna. Now that they have what they need they become dissatisfied. They want the things of Egypt.
ILLUS: I knew a young family- had kids early- had it tough. Didn't have good furniture, good cars etc. BUT HAD JESUS. OH how they prayed, oh how they loved the Lord. OH how they depended on him and he delivered. I saw them recently. They are now well off. Good car, good home etc. THEY HAVE COOLED TOWARD THE LORD. WHY? If adversity and trials and testings don't get you Satan will make you prosper. PROSPERITY HAS RUINED MORE CHRISTIANS THAN POVERTY EVR DID.
III. Notice what Satan attacked? Their appetite for God's bread. Their thankfulness for his bread.
A. God's bread for the Israelites was Manna. It was a perfect food. Better than fish, cukes, garlic, quails.
B. John 6:48 Jesus is the perfect bread for you. HE is all you need. Satan's target is to replace your taste for God's bread with the world's spices. He says, "Look how how tangy the worldly life is, Look how savory the materialistic life is" He plants a false vision of the good life in your mind. And you become dissatisfied with God's bread.
GODS WORD- REPLACED BY VOGUE, SPORTS ILLUS. POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT. GOD'S CHURCH REPLACED BY MOVIES, SPRRTS, CABINS, LAKES. God's MONEY, HIS TITHE SPENT ON NEW TVS, NEW HOUSES, NEW CARS, NINTINDOS, AND MANY OTHER UNNEDESSARY LUXURIES.
Then you say, "Preacher, why don't I feel as close to God as I used to. WELL BROTHER, HE HASN'T MOVED!
This feeling of distance from God is the result of getting what you want instead of what God wants for you.
Read psalm 106:13-15
V. Notice the result of their complaining about God's provision. (He gives them what they wanted. and they are unhappy. (Leanness of soul)
A. I'll tell you what leanness of soul is. It is a life that seems empty in the midst of plenty. It is a marriage going through the motions but with out real love or companionship. It is a family living under a roof but with no "tie that binds" them.
LEANNESS OF SOUL IS STARVATION. A STARVED SPIRIT, LIVING WITHIN A STARVED LIFE. STARVED FOR LACK OF THE NOURISHMENT THAT CHRIST ALONE BRINGS. It comes from eating the world's bread instead of the bread from heaven.
Illus: Like cotton candy. (Describe watching them make it) a very little sugar, a little artificial color, spin it around and wrap it around a colorful paper stick. IT LOOKS GOOD, LOOKS LIKE A LOT, TASTES GOOD, BUT IT IS STILL ONLY A TEASPOON FULL OF SUGAR. You cant live on it. YOU WOULD DIE OF MALNUTRICIAN IF THATS ALL YOU ATE.
CONCLUSION:
INVITATION: Remember when you were at wits end. God provided. The Bible was alive; prayer was a talk with the king. You couldn't wait for Church. You praised the Lord. THEN YOU GOT TIRED OF MANNA. YOU FELL A LUSTING. You looked back to Egypt.
You wanted the material things of Egypt, so you forsook gathering the manna and pursued quail. TODAY YOUR LIFE ISN'T SATISFIED. YOU HAVE EVERYTHING and leanness of soul.
