I have been studying the story of the Children of Israel. Wow were they good at murmuring! They complained a lot. They also witnessed many mighty miracles. How is it that they were so quick to forget the ways in which the Lord delivered them time after time? Also how could they discount the delivery of the 10 commandments? As a reader of this story you just want to say DUH!
Poor Moses had a great burden on his shoulders trying to be Israel's advocate. He petitioned to the Lord in their behalf many times, even though they sought to take his life and continued to murmur against him. He was a very powerful yet meek prophet. "He did not excuse the behavior of his people, but only empahsized the long-suffering mercy of the Lord." (OT Study guide p 205) I am also amazed at the Lord's never ending patience with his rebellious children. He gave the Israelites many opportunities to repent, including being able to look at a fiery serpent that Moses was instructed to make and put on a pole. They were instructed that if they were bitten by a fiery (poisionus) serpent that all they had to do was look at the pole and be healed. It is sad to note that many did not look because they did not believe. This plague is symbolic of the future when the Son of God would be lifted up on a cross…those that believe in him will not perish but have everylasting life. (John 3:14-15)
I wonder if someone sat down and "read" my story if they would want to say DUH to me? How many witnesses from the spirit have I had! My baptism, marriage in the temple, partaking of the sacrament, listening to conference, daily prayer and scripture study are all indicator's that Heavenly Father has blessed me immeasurably. I have also witnessed several miracles, the most recents: the snowmachine fire at the cabin in Island Park, and Lily's head injury. I must never deny nor murmur against the Lord and his goodness to me.