Numbers 21:5
And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The people accuse Moses and God of bringing them out of Egypt to die, flipping God's deliverance into a death sentence, and they express disgust for the manna, calling it "light bread," a term of profound contempt that highlights their ingratitude for divine sustenance. This phrase, "light bread," signifies not just physical food but also spiritual nourishment, revealing their rejection of God's provision as something vile and worthless.
Fresh off a difficult journey around the land of Edom and feeling discouraged, the Israelites express their deep discontent. They lash out against God and Moses, questioning their deliverance from Egypt and complaining bitterly about the lack of food and water, even despising the manna provided by God. This immediate outburst of ingratitude and rebellion sets the stage for God's subsequent judgment in the form of fiery serpents.
When we feel unheard or mistreated, who do we blame? The Israelites chose to lash out at the very ones God had appointed to lead them.
The verse says, 'And the people spoke against God, and against Moses.' This isn't just a casual complaint; it's a direct rebellion.
Targeting Leadership
This shows a deep-seated issue: when people are unhappy, they often lash out at authority figures, forgetting that these leaders are often instruments of God's will.
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They had just been miraculously sustained, yet their hearts were filled with disdain for their daily provision. What does this tell us about their perspective?
The Israelites declared, '...and our soul loatheth this worthless food.' This phrase, 'worthless food' (or 'light bread' in some translations), reveals their deep ingratitude and flawed perspective.
The Manna's True Value
Understand the original words
Elohim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Creator and Sovereign Judge of all, the Almighty who is holy, righteous, and the object of Israel's rebellion, distinct from the specific covenant name YHWH.
qeloqel · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to food that is perceived as lacking in value, substance, or divine blessing, often expressing ingratitude for God's gracious provision.
This complaint erupts during a particularly difficult leg of the journey around Edom, highlighting how prolonged hardship and perceived lack of resources can lead to desperate, ungrateful accusations against God and leadership, even after experiencing His prior faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1445-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites spend 40 years in the Sinai wilderness as a consequence of their disobedience and lack of faith. This period is marked by both divine provision and repeated rebellion.
c. 1406 BC
Journey Around Edom
The Israelites are denied passage through Edom and must take a long, circuitous route. This arduous journey leads to discouragement and discontent.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Complaint and Rebellion
The people voice their deep dissatisfaction, complaining against God and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt only to suffer in the wilderness with no food or water, despising the manna provided.
c. 1406 BC
Fiery Serpents Sent
In response to their rebellion, God sends venomous fiery serpents among the people, causing many deaths.
c. 1406 BC
Provision of the Bronze Serpent
After the people repent and Moses intercedes, God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole, promising healing to those who look upon it.
This passage directly references the Israelites' sin in Numbers, identifying their murmuring and testing of God as sinning against Christ himself, the one leading them.
Philippians 2:14This verse speaks about doing everything without grumbling or disputing, a stark contrast to the Israelites' complaints and ingratitude in the wilderness.
John 6:30-35Here, Jesus speaks of himself as the 'true bread from heaven,' contrasting with the Israelites' rejection of the manna, which they called 'light bread,' showing a deeper spiritual rejection.
Jude 1:16This verse describes grumblers and malcontents, directly paralleling the attitude and words of the Israelites in Numbers 21:5.
gillNumbers 21:5: "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread."
And the people spake against God,.... Who went before them in the pillar of cloud and fire, for leading them in such a way; that is, against Christ, as the apostle has taught us to interpret it, 1 Corinthians 10:9 , and is no inconsiderable proof of the deity of Chris…
calvinNumbers 21:4-20: "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Itaque loquutus est populus contra Deum et Mosen, Ut quid ascendere nos fecistis ex Aegypto, ut more…
The people accuse Moses and God of bringing them out of Egypt to die, flipping God's deliverance into a death sentence, and they express disgust for the manna, calling it "light bread," a term of profound contempt that highlights their ingratitude for divine sustenance. This phrase, "light bread," signifies not just physical food but also spiritual nourishment, revealing their rejection of God's provision as something vile and worthless.
Fresh off a difficult journey around the land of Edom and feeling discouraged, the Israelites express their deep discontent. They lash out against God and Moses, questioning their deliverance from Egypt and complaining bitterly about the lack of food and water, even despising the manna provided by God. This immediate outburst of ingratitude and rebellion sets the stage for God's subsequent judgment in the form of fiery serpents.
Fresh off a difficult journey around the land of Edom and feeling discouraged, the Israelites express their deep discontent. They lash out against God and Moses, questioning their deliverance from Egypt and complaining bitterly about the lack of food and water, even despising the manna provided by God. This immediate outburst of ingratitude and rebellion sets the stage for God's subsequent judgment in the form of fiery serpents.
"And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”" — The people accuse Moses and God of bringing them out of Egypt to die, flipping God's deliverance into a death sentence, and they express disgust for the manna, calling it "light bread," a term of p…
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