INTRODUCTION:

    1. The story of the text.
        a. Israelites coming out of Egypt.
        b. Complained against Moses & Aaron when they became hungry -- Exodus 16:2-3.
        c. Ex. 16:4-6 -- God provides manna.
            1) MANNA = "What is it?" "It is a portion."
            2) Vv. 14-15 -- The appearance of it.
            3) Vs. 31 -- The taste of it.
            4) Psalm 78:23-25 -- It was angels' food.
            5) Num. 11:6 -- Now they claim their "soul is dried away."
    2. Drying Joni's "Mexican pepper" to get the seeds.
    3. In a measure, this is what the Israelites said they were doing -- just withering away, drying up.
    4. Is strange in that they were being fed from heaven.
    5. What causes withered souls?

  I.  THEY GREW TIRED OF WALKING WITH GOD -- NUMBERS 11:6.

    1. Walking with God promotes fatness of the soul. (Proverbs 28:25)
        a. Heb. 11:5 -- Enoch walked with God.
        b. II Kings 2 -- Elijah walked with God.
        c. Num. 11:6 -- Israel walked with God for a time, annd He fed them as they walked His way.
    2. When one gets to the point that he does not enjoy the company & presence of God in his life, he is on
        dangerous ground.
        a. When the work & way of God get to be a burden.
        b. I John 5:3.
    3. Have you ever said (or thought):
        a. "I just have to make myself go to church."
        b. "I just don't seem to get anything out of the services anymore."
        c. "Just a few run the church, anyway. Would you look at what they did in business meeting."
        d. "Let me tell you what's wrong with the church. To begin with . . . "
    4. You're not going to get more out than you put in.
        a. Illus. -- Bank savings or checking account.
        b. If you make such statements, you are showing signs of a withered soul.

 II.  THE PEOPLE MIXED WITH THE WORLD -- NUMBERS 11:4.

    1. "The mixt multitude that was among them." Indicates:
        a. Israel had compromised God's law and brought into their midst some who were strangers to Him.
        b. They had compromised His explicit command.
        c. They had attempted to water down the truth.
    2. This is what happens when God's people today are guilty of "a mixed multitude."
        a. Water down the truth to attract the worldly.
        b. Receive those who do not have a good profession of faith.
        c. Because we become worldly, we refuse to obey His explicit commands.
    3. It is God's will that we have singleness of vision -- Matt. 6:22.
    4. It is His will that we be perfectly joined together with Him -- I Cor. 1:10 ; Matt. 5:48.
    5. God has declared that we be a separate people.
        a. Unlike the world and its churches.
        b. To withdraw from those who live & walk ungodly.
        c. II Cor. 6:17 -- "Come out from among them . . ."
        d. II Cor. 6:14-16 -- Cannot mix righteousness & unrighhteousness, dedication & worldliness, etc.
    6. Attempting to do so will bring grief & withering to your soul.

III.  THEY THOUGHT ON THINGS OF THE PAST -- NUMBERS 11:4-5.

    1. They "fell a lusting . . . we remember the fish . . . "
    2. Conversation must have gone something like:
        a. "I remember the good old days. We had fish, cucumbers, leeks, onions, garlic, melons, etc."
        b. "And we had no problems. All we had to do was to obey the Egyptians."
        c. "We had it made. What a life that was!"
    3. What happened? The cause of God had become burdensome. They compromised the truth.
        a. Some today remember the "good old days."
        b. Trying to "regain the glory" with false fire.
    4. Some saved try to enjoy being a child of God while continuing in former lifestyles.
        a. Eph. 4:20-24.
        b. I Peter 1:13-15.
    5. Nothing wrong with remembering the past, but to   desire it for reasons other than the progress of God's
        will leads one to a very withered soul.

 IV.  COMPLAINED ABOUT GOD'S BLESSINGS -- Numbers 11:6.

    1. "There is nothing at all beside this manna."
    2. "All we have is this manna. I know all we have to do is gather it, but it's such a bother . . ."
    3. What a shame to complain of God's blessings!
        a. "All we have is this church that preaches, teaches, & boldly stands for the truth."
        b. "Why can't we have what the world's churches have, do like they do?"
    4. We have seen God bless this church.
        a. Long rich history. Many faithful, loved, and well known pastors. Many good members.
        b. Involvement in missions: sawmill in Solomons, a mission work in Hope (as well as others).
        c. Additions here and in Hope.
        d. And, He is not through blessing us if we will faithfully witness, serve, & stand for Him.
    5. Sometimes we might hear:
        a. "Visitation? I used to visit, to witness, but no one appreciates it, and it's such a bother."
        b. "Teach? I taught once, but now I've served my time. Need to let someone else do it."
        c. "Attend? Once I went to S.S., BTC, Wednesday night, but now I just don't have the time." (Or, "There are
            other things I'd rather do.")
    6. When you find yourself complaining about the blessings of God, mark it down, you are suffering from a withered soul!

  CONCLUSION: WHAT IS THE REMEDY?

    1. Often, it is the judgment of God.
        a. Elisha prayed for God's judgment first.
        b. Only when God visited Israel in judgment did they turn to Him.
    2. Repentance is necessary.
        a. When Israel would repent, God would bless.
        b. When they sinned God said, "Turn ye at my reproof."
        c. He called upon them as a nation & individually to repent -- II Chron. 7:14.
        d. He calls on us as a church and as individual members to do the same.
    3. Drawing near to God.
        a. James 4:8 -- The closer you are to God, the fartheer you are from Satan.
        b. James 4:7 -- "Submit yourself to God."
    4. Phil. 3:13-14 -- Fix your eyes upon Jesus.
    5. Is your soul fat in the Lord? Or is it withering away?