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Dissatisfaction is contagious； and it soon spread in the encampment。
Again they began to clamor for flesh to eat。 Though abundantly supplied with
manna； they were not satisfied。 The Israelites； during their bondage in
Egypt； had been compelled to subsist on the plainest and simplest food； but
then keen appetite induced by privation and hard labor had made it
palatable。 Many of the Egyptians； however； who were now among them； had been
accustomed to a luxurious diet； and these were the
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first to complain。 At the giving of the manna； just before Israel reached
Sinai； the Lord had granted them flesh in answer to their clamors； but it
was furnished them for only one day。
God might as easily have provided them with flesh as with manna； but a
restriction was placed upon them for their good。 It was His purpose to
supply them with food better suited to their wants than the feverish diet to
which many had become accustomed in Egypt。 The perverted appetite was to be
brought into a more healthy state； that they might enjoy the food originally
provided for manthe fruits of the earth； which God gave to Adam and Eve in
Eden。 It was for this reason that the Israelites had been deprived； in a
great measure； of animal food。
Satan tempted them to regard this restriction as unjust and cruel。 He caused
them to lust after forbidden things； because he saw that the unrestrained
indulgence of appetite would tend to produce sensuality； and by this means
the people could be more easily brought under his control。 The author of
disease and misery will assail men where he can have the greatest success。
Through temptations addressed to the appetite he has； to a large extent； led
men into sin from the time when he induced Eve to eat of the forbidden
fruit。 It was by this same means that he led Israel to murmur against God。
Intemperance in eating and drinking； leading as it does to the indulgence of
the lower passions； prepares the way for men to disregard all moral
obligations。 When assailed by temptation； they have little power of
resistance。
God brought the Israelites from Egypt； that He might establish them in the
land of Canaan； a pure； holy； and happy people。 In the accomplishment of
this object He subjected them to a course of discipline； both for their own
good and for the good of their posterity。 Had they been willing to deny
appetite； in obedience to His wise restrictions； feebleness and disease
would have been unknown among them。 Their descendants would have possessed
both physical and mental strength。 They would have had clear perceptions of
truth and duty； keen discrimination； and sound judgment。 But their
unwillingness to submit to the restrictions and requirements of God；
prevented them； to a great extent； from reaching the high standard which He
desired them to attain； and from receiving the blessings which He was ready
to bestow upon them。
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Says the psalmist： 〃They tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their
lust。 Yea； they spake against God； they said； Can God furnish a table in the
wilderness？ Behold； He smote the rock； that the waters gushed out； and the
streams overflowed； can He give bread also？ can He provide flesh for His
people？ Therefore the Lord heard this； and was wroth。〃 Psalm 78：18…21。
Murmuring and tumults had been frequent during the journey from the Red Sea
to Sinai； but in pity for their ignorance and blindness God had not then
visited the sin with judgments。 But since that time He had revealed Himself
to them at Horeb。 They had received great light； as they had been witnesses
to the majesty； the power； and the mercy of God； and their unbelief and
discontent incurred the greater guilt。 Furthermore； they had covenanted to
accept Jehovah as their king and to obey His authority。 Their murmuring was
now rebellion； and as such it must receive prompt and signal punishment； if
Israel was to be preserved from anarchy and ruin。 〃The fire of Jehovah burnt
among them； and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp。〃
The most guilty of the complainers were slain by lightning from the cloud。
The people in terror besought Moses to entreat the Lord for them。 He did so；
and the fire was quenched。 In memory of this judgment he called the name of
the place Taberah； 〃a burning。〃
But the evil was soon worse than before。 Instead of leading the survivors to
humiliation and repentance； this fearful judgment seemed only to increase
their murmurings。 In all directions the people were gathered at the door of
their tents； weeping and lamenting。 〃The mixed multitude that was among them
fell a lusting： and the children of Israel also wept again； and said； Who
shall give us flesh to eat？ We remember the fish； which we did eat in Egypt
freely； the cucumbers； and the melons； and the leeks； and the onions； and
the garlic： but now our soul is dried away： there is nothing at all； beside
this manna； before our eyes。〃 Thus they manifested their discontent with the
food provided for them by their Creator。 Yet they had constant evidence that
it was adapted to their wants； for notwithstanding the hardships they
endured； there was not a feeble one in all their tribes。
The heart of Moses sank。 He had pleaded that Israel should not be destroyed；
even though his own posterity might then become a great nation。 In his love
for them he had prayed that his
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name might be blotted from the book of life rather than that they should be
left to perish。 He had imperiled all for them； and this was their response。
All their hardships； even their imaginary sufferings； they charged upon him；
and their wicked murmurings made doubly heavy the burden of care and
responsibility under which he staggered。 In his distress he was tempted even
to distrust God。 His prayer was almost a complaint。 〃Wherefore hast Thou
afflicted Thy servant？ and wherefore have I not found favor in Thy sight；
that Thou layest the burden of all this people upon me？ 。 。 。 Whence should
I have flesh to give unto all this people？ for they weep unto me； saying；
Give us flesh； that we may eat。 I am not able to bear all this people alone；
because it is too heavy for me。〃
The Lord hearkened to his prayer； and directed him to summon seventy men of
the elders of Israelmen not only advanced in years； but possessing
dignity； sound judgment； and experience。 〃And bring them unto the tabernacle
of the congregation；〃 He said； 〃that they may stand there with thee。 And I
will come down and talk with thee there： and I will take of the spirit which
is upon thee； and will put it upon them； and they shall bear the burden of
the people with thee； that thou bear it not thyself alone。〃
The Lord permitted Moses to choose for himself the most faithful and
efficient men to share the responsibility with him。 Their influence would
assist in holding in check the violence of the people； and quelling
insurrection； yet serious evils would eventually result from their
promotion。 They would never have been chosen had Moses manifested faith
corresponding to the evidences he had witnessed of God's power and goodness。
But