“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15
“This effect often occurs. In the gratification of their desires, in great temporal success and prosperity, individuals, churches, nations, often forget their dependence on God; lose their sense of the value of spiritual privileges and blessings: are satisfied with their condition; become self-confident and proud, and forfeit the favor of God.” Barnes
Psalm 106:13-14 teaches, “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. “
“Of how many of us that has to be said! We remember pain and sorrow longer than joy and pleasure. It is always difficult to bridle desires and be still until God discloses His purposes. We are all apt to try to force His hand open, and to impose our wishes on Him, rather than to let His will mould us.” Expositors
The nation of Israel, fresh from their deliverance, gloriously, through the Red Sea, with a great sign and wonder, with the high and mighty hand of God – nevertheless proceeded to bring forth complaints of water, of food, of comforts.
First,
“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” Exodus 15:23-24
“And Moses cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet:” Exodus 15:25
Typifying another tree which many years later would bare the Savior of the world, crucified for all of mankind, in it’s touching of bitter waters made them sweet. In another place, meal was thrown into a pot full of deadly gourds. That soup of gourds became savory — in 2Kings 4:41 there was no evil matter left in the pot.
Exodus 15:26 follows with exhortation, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Exo 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Beloved, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:” Hebrews 12:5
“oligōreō” (esteem lightly,) is our meaning for dispise. Folks get fed up with troublesome things — don’t want to “play the game” anymore.
A philosopher once said, ” the darkest time of the night is just before the dawn.” this proved true in the case of the bitter waters as Elam was awaiting them.
Second example,–
Numbers 11:31 tells us, ” And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, ….”
“And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.” Numbers 11:34-35
“Graves of the longing” became the new name of that place. “he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”
Leanness typifies the people who satisfy lust. The leanness appears in the soul as spiritual Poverty. But one that leads to eventual spiritual death.
Brothers and sisters, please listen:
Psalm 30:5 “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life:”
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. Psalm 103:8-9
In closing, “Heb 12:15 continues, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
Friends,
“weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 love ya
