Daniel Peters : Insights No. 5
"From Complaints to Apostasy"
Monday's lesson rightly points out that the "Pressure is on the Leadership." Jesus Himself has sent a message to the angel of the Church of Laodicea. This message would put the pressure on anyone receiving it. Who wants to admit to being blind, naked, pitiful, and wretched? How difficult to admit to something while claiming the opposite! The sad history of the Jews serves as a reason to repent quickly and accept the "complaint" of Jesus against us as a people.
The lesson for this week lies in the history.
(1) While encamped at Mt. Sinai, God gave the Law and instructions to build a Sanctuary. But why was the tabernacle built? "It is in Ex. 25:8 that we find the reason why the tabernacle was built. ... why it was to be built, is one of the most sorrowful things to be found in the Scriptures. 'Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them!' What a sad thing! that God's people, whom He had delivered from bondage for the express purpose of dwelling not simply among them, but in them, had to have a house made with hands in order that His glory might be seen among them. Thus the tabernacle was at once a witness of God's presence and of the unfaithfulness of the children of Israel. ... It was called by Stephen 'the tabernacle of witness,' because both it and the tables of the law within it were witnesses against the unbelief of the Israelites" (Ellet J. Waggoner, "The Tabernacle of Witness").
It was here at Mt. Sinai that the golden calf (Ex. 32) was made and worshipped as the god that brought them out of Egypt. "Satan does not ask the people at first to become atheists, but he asks them to place alongside of the true God other gods also" (Waggoner, American Sentinel, "Let There Be No Alliance with Rome," Aug. 1888).
(2) Numbers 11: This history occurred only three days from Mt. Sinai at a place named Kibroth Hattaavah, because here they buried the dead who yielded to craving. This is a most pitiful account. "When the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it" (vs. 1). The Bread of Life (manna) was distasteful to them and they had no appetite for it, but longed for the food of Egypt. God gave them the meat they wanted and death was in the first bite. Likewise, God sent a message to His people in 1888 and there has been little appetite for it either. The message sent through His chosen messengers, with credentials from heaven, was kept back from many due to the actions of those attending the conference. Satan has a personal hatred for this message of Christ and His righteousness and will employ any method or person possible to silence it. The reason is that this is the ONLY message that gives victory over sin and sets his captives free.
(3) Numbers 12: "At Hazeroth, the next encampment after leaving Taberah" (Kibroth Hattaavah), Aaron's and Miriam's "jealousy was excited against Moses. ... God had chosen Moses, and had put His Spirit upon him; and Miriam and Aaron, by their murmurings, were guilty of disloyalty, not only to their appointed leader, but to God Himself. ...