Difference between revisions of "Quails"

<p> We read of the Lord's giving [[Israel]] those birds for food upon two occasions. First, soon after they left Egypt in the wilderness of Zin, (&nbsp;Exodus 16:1-36) and the second time when they were encamped at Ribroth-hattaavah, which the margin of the Bible renders the graves of lusts. (&nbsp;Numbers 11:34) And upon both occasions this food was given to them in consequences of their rebellion; hence therefore it was in correction, and not in favour. </p> <p> Various have been the opinions of men concerning the nature and kind of the quail. Moses called it Shalor. It is said to have been a small birth off great delicacy. The supply was so great the second time, that they victualled a camp of more than a million of persons for a whole month; so that they must have been like the shoals of pilchards on the western coast, every day covering the ground in multitudes. </p> <p> I would refer the reader to those portions in the word of God for the history of those events, &nbsp;Exodus 16:1-36 and &nbsp;Numbers 6:11. And I would beg of him, when he hath diligently read those Scriptures, to consider what solemn lessons such views hold forth of God's people running counter to God's government. The [[Psalmist]] hath made a beautiful observation upon this self-will of Israel, and the lawful consequence of it, when saying, "they lusted exceedingly, or as the words are, they lusted a lust in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.," (&nbsp;Psalms 106:14-15) It is an awful thing to be gratified in the creature, when such gratifications tend to rebellion against the Creator. "Give me children (said Rachel to Jacob) or else I die." (&nbsp;Genesis 30:1) She had her desire, but she died in child-bearing. The child was a Benoni; that is, as she herself called him, (and is rendered in the margin of our Bibles) the son of my sorrow. (&nbsp;Genesis 35:18) Jonah's gourd was very refreshing to the prophet, but the disappointment, ended in sin. It is a blessed thing to let God choose forms, and this will be always right, but if we will ride restive, like Jeshurun, a fall must be the consequences. [[Children]] never carve for themselves but they cut their fingers. See Kibroth-Hattaavah. </p>