Did You Know God Killed all the "Fat" People During Their Wilderness Walk? A Lesson on Internal Attitudes!

"The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them,

and smote down the chosen men of Israel."

Would you believe that Scripture tells us that God became so aggravated with the Israelites for their ingratitude towards all his supernatural provisions he sent and the food He provided while they were in the wilderness that he killed the fattest of them all?

Psalm 78 recounts how the Israelites, during their time in the wilderness, complained about everything. Here are a few ways God took care of them:

He Parted the Red Sea: Psalm 78:13.

"He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap."

Provided water from the rock: Psalm 78:15-16.

"He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers."

Sent manna: Psalm 78:24.

"And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven."

Sent quail: Psalm 78:27-28:

"He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations."

Guided them with a cloud by day and fire by night: Psalm 78:14

"In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire."

These events are all supernatural, offering just a glimpse into what occurred. Picture this: the Israelites didn't visit grocery stores or harvest fields. There was no need for money or trade. Everything they needed was provided miraculously.

Despite such extraordinary provision, they remained ungrateful, persistently complaining and grumbling.

Despite God’s previous miracles and provisions, they continued to sin and provoke Him. They challenged God’s ability to provide, driven by their cravings and discontent. Their demand for meat was not just about physical hunger but also a reflection of their lustful desires and lack of faith. They even questioned whether God could furnish a table in the wilderness, openly doubting His capacity to sustain them. These passages highlight their deep-seated ingratitude and disbelief, showing a moment when their persistent complaints and lack of trust were particularly pronounced:

Verse 17: "And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness."

Verse 18: "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."

Verse 19: "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"

In response, God provided them with an abundance of quail, as described previously. However, even as they indulged in this provision, their continued disobedience and lack of faith provoked God’s anger. Verse 31 states:

"The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them,

and smote down the chosen men of Israel."

God's wrath was directed at those who indulged the most, both physically (by consuming the meat). It reflects a literal consequence for their excess and unfaithfulness.

God guided the Israelites through the wilderness with care, leading them like sheep and ensuring their safety from enemies, such as when the sea overwhelmed those pursuing them. He brought them to the edge of the Promised Land, the territory He had promised and prepared for them, and drove out the heathen nations so that the tribes of Israel could inherit and settle in the land.

Despite these remarkable acts of provision and protection, the Israelites remained unfaithful. They tempted and provoked God by failing to adhere to His commandments and turning back to old ways of rebellion. Their actions included worshipping high places and graven images, which incited God's anger and jealousy, reflecting a deep-seated unfaithfulness similar to that of their ancestors.

Despite the Israelites’ persistent rebellion and the provocation of God’s wrath, His mercy remained steadfast. Even though their unfaithfulness prompted severe consequences, God’s ultimate response demonstrated His deep compassion and commitment to His people.

The story concludes with a powerful affirmation of God’s enduring grace in Verse 72:

“So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands.”

This final note highlights that, despite their failings, God continued to provide for them with unwavering sincerity and wisdom. His guidance and provision were marked by His genuine love and expertise, ensuring their needs were met and their path was directed with care and precision.

This reflects the profound depth of God’s mercy, showing that His commitment to His people transcends their shortcomings and failures.

The bottom line of Psalm 78 is that God places significant importance on our internal attitudes. The psalm illustrates how dissatisfaction, complaining, and doubt—rather than faith—can lead to actions that provoke God's judgment. It shows that our internal attitudes are not merely private matters but can have serious consequences, influencing our behavior in ways that invite divine disapproval. This passage highlights the critical connection between our inner disposition and our outward actions, demonstrating how internal attitudes can provoke God’s judgment if they are characterized by ingratitude and disbelief.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for my reader here. Thank You for the lessons in Psalm 78. Your Word reveals the serious consequences of ingratitude, judgment, and Your wrath, which can be quite shocking at times. I was particularly struck by how You responded to the Israelites' ungratefulness and lust for meat by striking down those who were fattest of the people. This brings to light a profound lesson about what displeases You.

Please help us all to be truly grateful and to recognize Your provisions, whether they seem small or great. Help us to walk in humility, as we know You are close to the brokenhearted and those who are humble. Guard us against pride and arrogance. Give us new eyes and hearts to see and appreciate the provisions we may have once overlooked. Reveal to us where we are provoking you so that we might adjust our ways to please you. Help us to turn from our wicked ways and forgive us for complaining and doubting. Put a guard over our mouth to filter our words from complaining to words full of faith and your promises. Remind us that without Your hand, guidance, and provision, we would be lost and lacking in every way. You are the one who raises kings and tears down kingdoms. Help us align our thoughts and attitudes with the truth of who You are and our identity as Your people.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

© 2024 Amanda Allen. All rights reserved.

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