NUMBERS 11-12
18 October 2023  Lesson: 7
Numbers 11:1-12:16

Israel’s Failure En Route to Kadesh

Complaining of the People (11:1-9)

The people complained. The Hebrew adds, “of evil” or “of adversity”. They had only travelled for three days (10:33) and already they are complaining of their hardships. The LORD heard them, as He hears all that we say or think. This angered the LORD so that he poured out righteous judgment on them in the form of flames that burned up those in the outskirts of the camp (11:1).

When they cried and Moses prayed for them, the fire settled (11:2).

Shortly after the fire stopped, a mixt multitude (i.e., a multitude gathered) of discontents who longed for better conditions as well as flesh to eat (11:4). For what Egyptian foods did they desire? Fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic (11:5). They griped about the manna [angel’s food, Ps 78:25] (11:6).

Complaint of Moses (11:10-15)

The menu complainers angered the LORD and displeased Moses (11:10). Moses, being human as well, complained that the Lord was afflicting him by placing on him the burden of all this people (11:11). However, his complaint was not one of bitterness toward God, but a cry of being overwhelmed and need for help (Read 11:11-15).

Help for Moses (11:16-30)

Because Moses’ complaint was not a bitter complaint against God, but a burdened complaint to God, it did not anger God. In fact, God responded to his burden with help.

God told Moses to choose and gather 70 elders/officers (11:16). God promised to take some of the Spirit that was upon Moses and put it upon them. They would then help him carry the burdens (11:17).

God then promised to give flesh to eat for a whole month (11:19-20). When Moses questioned God’s ability to do this, what was God’s response? (11:23). What did the Lord say? Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? That is a statement to cling to when you need amazing help.

Moses then obeyed the Lord and gathered the 70 elders (11:24). The Lord came down and gave them some of Moses’ Spirit. Remember, that before Christ died and arose, the Holy Spirit only came upon select people to enable a specific ministry for a limited time. That is what we see here.

Either two late-comers or two in addition to the 70, Eldad and Medad, also received the Spirit and prophesied (11:26). Joshua, Moses’ servant, suggested that Moses forbid these two men, but Moses wished that all the LORD’s people could have the Spirit (11:29).

God’s Provision and Punishment (11:31-35)

God caused a wind to bring in quails from the sea. The birds were about a mitre high. Most likely, they flew that low and were easy to kill. The people gathered hordes of the quail. A homer may refer to a heap, however, it could be about 335 L x 10 equals over 3.35m³. They gathered a LOT!

Because of their greed, God smote them with a very great plague (11:33).

Failure of Miriam and Aaron (12:1-16)

Miriam and Aaron (Moses’ siblings) spoke against him. They use his marriage to an Ethiopian woman as cover for their jealousy complaint (12:1-2). Moses is well into his 80s. It is likely that Zipporah had died and he remarried.

God spoke to the three of them and defended Moses (12:4-8). God’s anger (righteous judgment) kindled against them, and He departed (12:9).

Miriam became a leper. Aaron begged Moses to pray for her (12:11). Moses did pray (12:13). God healed her, but she had to stay outside the camp for seven days before they could travel (12:14-16).

Principles for Us Today

The book of Numbers frequently portrays Israel as complainers and reveals God’s anger at this. God feels no less angry about our bitter complaints. God hates bitter complaining because it is discontentment. If we complain, we must be sure that it is a burden complaint, seeking God’s help.

We must never doubt the omnipotent ability of our powerful God.

When God provides for us, we must be grateful and not greedy.

If tempted to complain about our spiritual leader, we better be positive that the leader has done wrong. God will sternly deal with jealous complaints.