Then Moses told Aaron, ‘Say to the entire Israelite community, “Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.”’

10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked towards the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”’

It’s a bit of a ‘gulp’ moment. It could have been like being called into the Head’s office (and much worse)!! But again…’amazing grace.’ In the face of their grumbling the Lord showed them His glory and gave them food.

Words from two different hymns come to mind:

‘Saviour breathe forgiveness o’er us, all our weakness thou dost know…’

‘Father-like He tends and spares us; well our feeble frame He knows…’

Although the Lord knew all about their grumbling, it seems to me that in His grace and mercy He wanted to bolster – to strengthen and support – their weak faith. He not only provided free meals for them, but did far more than they could ask or think. He manifested His glorious presence.

Tom Hale explains the presence of God is described in different ways in Scripture: the ‘glory’ of the Lord, the ‘angel’ of the Lord, the ‘face’ of the Lord. We also see Him manifesting Himself in such things as a cloud or fire.

PRAYER: Lord God, I pray that as we meet together you will show your presence and manifest your glory. May we have a real encounter with the living God – and not just go through a religious ritual.