Psalm 78 (77):29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This Bread, the sustenance of angels, is incorruptibly provided by the Word of God. To enable humanity to partake in this sustenance, He took on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:44). The Bread Himself, through the clouds of the Gospel, is spread throughout the world; the hearts of the preachers act as heavenly portals, proclaiming the message not to the contentious and testing synagogue but to the Church, which believes and places its hope in Him. Additionally, He can strengthen the faith of those who believe without being tempted, offering them signs in the words articulated by flesh and carried through the air, akin to birds of a different origin—not the cold and foggy North, representing worldly eloquence that may please but does not satisfy. Instead, He brings the warmth of the South Wind from Heaven, nurturing those with fragile faith who, captivated by earthly matters, are prepared to receive the gifts of the heavenly realm.

The count of those fit for battle was mentioned for those twenty years and older, excluding the younger generation, women, and the entire tribe of Levi. In the center of the camp and surrounding each tent, God provided manna so that it would be easy to gather. The term "camp" refers to the community of people in the wilderness, while "dwellings" denotes each individual’s tent. When it is said, "Their desire brought them," it implies that they received from God all that they longed for, achieving the fulfillment of their wishes. God granted them what they sought; thus, the term "desire" is substituted for what they yearned for, akin to how the Apostle Paul uses "hope" to signify the attainment of what he longed for, as expressed in "Hope shall not be ashamed." Subsequently, the anger of God was kindled against them, resulting in the death of many among the elect of Israel. As they beheld the quails, they failed to trust God's promise that they would be satisfied with these birds by the month's end, fearing they might escape or spoil. Consequently, they "dried them for themselves round about the camp," and while the meat was still in their mouths, the Lord's anger was ignited against the people, leading to a severe plague (Num. 11:33). It is notable that as soon as they swallowed the meat, they lost their faith and forgot God's might. Thus, their desires were fulfilled as a testament to divine power and providential care; however, due to their disbelief and insatiable appetites, what was meant to nourish them turned into a cause of devastation, leading to much death, as Moses noted. The phrase "the greatest of them" was translated by Simmachus as "fat" and by Aquila as "rich," suggesting the wealthiest and strongest among the people. It is likely that those who collected more fell victim to the plague in greater numbers. Nevertheless, Aquila and Symmachus reached this interpretation based on further context, as many among the chosen of Israel were likewise affected. The interpreters used the term "most numerous" not to compare the dead to the survivors but to emphasize the sheer number. This aligns with Moses' statement that "The Lord smote the people with a very great plague," a phrase indicating the death of many. They were referred to as "chosen," as they were valiant in battle; those counted were all capable warriors and, for this reason, were selected.

For consider the angels and archangels, those noble servants of the King, who observe your prayers and the nature of your petitions; they are filled with wonder and joy when they see that you, being of the earth, have set aside worldly matters to seek heavenly treasures. Conversely, they experience sorrow when they witness someone who has abandoned the pursuit of divine gifts to seek after the trivial.

It is evident that God directed the winds in accordance with the location of the camps, although He could have employed other methods to deliver the birds directly among the people. When He proclaimed, “I will eat, and they will be satiated,” it serves not merely to illustrate that God provided a vast multitude of birds of prey for their feasting, but rather to highlight their desire for meat as a mere whim, rather than a genuine need for sustenance. Just as previously noted regarding the manna being given to their fill, it is similarly stated of the meat, “And they were eaten, and were filled with meat,” which vividly showcases the gluttony of the Israelites, emphasizing their unchecked desires.

Although God often promises to fulfill the desires of the faithful as a sign of His favor, here He responds differently to the corrupt yearnings of the unclean multitude. In a display of righteous anger, what He permitted revealed His displeasure. This is further explicated as it is noted that this gluttony was harmful to them. For alongside the food they consumed came the blaze of God’s wrath: while the meat was still in their mouths, the fury of God struck them down, causing the demise of their strongest men. Nevertheless, it is stated that they were not denied their cravings, indicating they were not restrained from their frivolous wishes.

Even though God’s wrath encompassed all the tribes, the Prophet highlights only the stout and prominent men, serving to illustrate God’s justice more clearly. Strong young men, relying on their might and neglecting the reverence owed to God, often presume they can act with impunity; therefore, it is unsurprising that they faced more severe punishment from God’s wrath. It was a terrifying sight to witness the downfall of such chosen and vigorous individuals; yet, the Israelites remained unmoved by this disgrace, starkly revealing their hardened hearts.

The Savior calls upon His people to listen carefully, warning them against suffering the same demise as the earlier Jewish generations who disregarded God's commands. He instructs them to diligently examine the law of the Gospel and to absorb the prophecies from a sincere heart. Though the Jews possessed strength, they faltered in the moment of the Passion of Christ due to their lack of faith. The tribe of Ephraim, in particular, was notably unfaithful, succumbing to the idolatry of the golden calf and leading the other nine tribes astray. As a consequence of this betrayal, God stripped them of their valor; although they had been skilled archers, cowardice seized them, and they retreated in battle. They were ultimately taken captive and scattered among the Gentiles. Despite their complete surrender to worldly wisdom and refusal to repent, God showed mercy to the Jews. In His immense compassion, He chose not to annihilate them in the wilderness but instead spared and had compassion on them. Humanity, as embodied in flesh, is entwined with passions and decay. The Spirit, having departed from mankind, will not return until the second coming.