BIBLICAL BRIEFS 100
Yes, even though the Israelites had cattle to their disposal to slaughter and eat, one wonders why the still craved meat. Even after the first incident where God gave them quails to satisfy their meat cravings, there was still livestock available which they could have easily slaughtered. (Ex. 16: 2-3 states that they complain that their livestock can starve due to a lack of water.) Again, in Num. 11: 4-6, the Israelites could not hide their craving for meat. At this stage, towards the end of the wilderness period, it was said that they still had “many cattle” (Num. 32:1)! The answer to this question is actually very simple – the Scriptures say that about 600000 men fled from Egypt. In Num. 1:45-46 a more precise number is given, namely 603550 adult men. Conservatively calculated, each family could have had at least two children [we know that the Israelites had “greatly increased in Egypt” (Gen. 47:27), to such an extent that Ex. 1: 7 explicitly spells out: “But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.” There were then far more than 3 million Israelites in transit. For this reason, Moses contended with God and explained why their animals and cattle could not be eaten: “Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?” (Num. 11:22). The mere fact that he sarcastically refers to all the fishes in the sea whilst in the desert, is an indication that their livestock would never have been enough to consume for such a big number of people. But more than that – there would soon have been a shortage of animals to sacrifice! There would also not be enough help to transport all their possessions; and there would also not have been a basic breeding herd upon arrival in Canaan. (Num. 8-9 explains the number of animals required to serve as sacrifices.) The first episode of the quails occurred before the Israelites were introduced to the manna. Even in Ex. 16:3, longing for the pots of meat back in Egypt, God promised them not this, but only manna: “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you …”(verse 4). Now remember the mystery that the Midrash elucidates about manna: “Manna tasted what you wanted it to be in your mouth, whatever you were hungry for … Manna was the only ingredient you needed for a feast with a great variety of flavourful dishes.” (Michael Esses: Jesus in Exodus, p. 95). Manna could therefor literally cater for ALL needs and tastes, including the need for meat. BUT because of their disobedience, they could not taste it, and as a result of their murmuring God provided quails too (Ex. 16: 8). “So He gave them their request, but sent “leanness into their soul.” (Ps. 106:15).
Dr Tom Gouws
