There’s a Jamaican expression that speaks to those moments when we desire more food than we can consume. We say, ‘Your eyes are bigger than your belly’. I guess the English equivalent is, ‘you’ve bitten off more than you can chew’, even though it often refers to more than food. In some households, this is unacceptable, and measures are put in place to prevent such. Have we ever thought that God has to do the same? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat
Exodus 16:19-20 CEVDCI
[19] Moses told them not to keep any overnight. [20] Some of them disobeyed, but the next morning what they kept was stinking and full of worms, and Moses was angry.
Consequences
There’s nothing to say for it but that the people reaped what they had sown. The instructions were clearly stated: ‘Take only what you need for the day.’ They were even told what quantity was enough. In reflecting, I’d noted that it seemed to be more than enough. Yet, a few dared to take a bit more. In most groups, there’s always that someone.
But no one anticipated God’s consequences.
The food rotted! I can only imagine the shock, embarrassment, and dismay those persons experienced. Especially when they found worms (maggots) in the storage containers!
Self-Check
Have we ever been guilty of hoarding before? What lessons did we learn?
Application
Since everyone had enough, taking extra wasn’t about capitalism. It seemed to me that they were taking precautions in case there was nothing the next day. They weren’t sure about ‘tomorrow’. They were trying to ‘secure’ their future. But their action had consequences.
Siblings, that act of hoarding cost the entire group. The rotted food had to be discarded, containers had to be cleansed – sterilisation was probably not feasible in those days – and stored before moving any further. It was a setback.
Moses had every right to be angry. And he was. As far as we’re aware, YHWH didn’t register surprise.
Siblings, every parent knows their children. They know who will obey, who will disobey, and who will push the limits, sometimes even before the children actually misbehave. I don’t expect that God, our ultimate Creator, would be less aware.
What happened to the disobedient Children of Israel is instructive for us also. If obedience indicates trust, then disobedience is proof of doubt and mistrust. Saving for a rainy day is important. But obedience is easier than sacrifice. Hearing specifics from God demands obedience, not faulty assumptions that result in us going off tangent.
Maggots are usually found in decaying matter. Romans 6:23 tells us that sin’s wage is death. The difference is that it was the organic manna that died. We run the risk of spiritual death. Disobedience (sin) always results in a spiritual setback. If unchecked and unconfessed, we’ll find ourselves drifting far away from God.
But
Thank God for grace, the gift of God – eternal life, restored relationship – in and through Christ.
Yes, there are consequences when we sin. Let’s opt against tensing in that space, but find our restoration in Christ.
Point to Ponder
In those moments when doubt tries to lead us into disobedience, do we invite Christ to show us the exit?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
