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And now the Lord again showed how easily He can bringabout supernatural results by
what we call natural means. As explained in a former chapter, in springthe quails
migrate in immense numbers from the interior of Africa northwards. An east wind,
blowingfrom the Arabian Gulf, now drove them, in vast quantities, just over the camp
of Israel. Here they felldown exhausted by the flight, and lay, to the distance of a day's
journey "on this side and on that," insome places two cubits high. It is the same lesson
which we have so often learned in this history. The"wind" which brought the quails"
went forth from the Lord," and the number brought was far beyondwhat is ordinarily
witnessed, although such a flight and drooping of birds are by no meansuncommon.
And so God can, by means unthought of, send sudden deliverances unexpectedly,
evento one like Moses. But as for Israel, they had now their wishes more than
gratified. The supply offlesh thus provided sufficed not only for the present, but was
such that the greater part of it waspreserved for after use (11:32). Thus had God
shown the folly of those who murmured against Hisprovision or questioned His
ability. It still remained to punish the presumption and sin of theirconduct. "While the
flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of Jehovah waskindled
against the people, and Jehovah smote the people with a very great plague. And he
calledthe name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah (the graves of lust): because there they
buried the peoplethat lusted." But how deeply the impression of this judgment sunk
into the hearts of the godly in Israelappears from such passages as Psalm 78:26-31,
while its permanent lesson to all times is summedup in these words:
"He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." (Psalm 106:15)
(^)