In Numbers 11:23, God said, “Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not”. God had made a promise to Moses that for one month’s time He would feed the Israelites in the wilderness with meat. Moses, overtaken by unbelief, looked to the outward means, and didn’t understand how the promise could be fulfilled (Numbers 11:13-15). He looked to the creature instead of the Creator. Moses had, for a short time, an “evil heart of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:12). The response of God was, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?”

God, who made the promise, fulfilled it by His omnipotence (Numbers 11:31-32). God’s promises don’t depend on the cooperation of the frail strength of man for their fulfillment. We can see the mistake that Moses made, and yet we do the same. God has promised to supply our needs (Matthew 6:25-34), and we look to the creature to do what God has promised to do. Then, because we think the creature is weak, we wallow in unbelief and blame God.

If, after clearly seeing that the burden lies with the Lord and not with man, we dare to indulge in mistrust, the question of God burns within us: “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?” God provided the opportunity but it was up to the Israelites to get the meat for themselves. Likewise, God will provide what you need, but you have to go out and take advantage of His blessings. Be strong in faith and seek God’s will — and He will bless you (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Kyle Campbell