Is the Lord’s Hand Shortened?

The crisis in Numbers 11 is striking:

1. The people complained at the very moment of conscious divine leadership, of the peaceful return of the Lord to the many thousands of Israel. They had no cause of complaint.

2. The mixed multitude fell a-lusting like a pack of untrained mongrels, who make no attempt to keep their bodies under, nor bring them into subjection.

3. Moses, in the day of great adversity, utterly broke down, and prayed God to kill him out of hand, adding, “Shall the flocks and herds be slain for them, or all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them (a thing impossible) to suffice them?”

4. But (and here is the magnificence of grace), the Lord said to Moses: “Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?” Blessed hand!

5. Then a miracle of food, and quails covering the camp!

And Israel’s God is ours!