OVERVIEW:
The complaint of the people; the lust of the people; the complaint of Moses; the 70 elders chosen; the plague of the quail; Aaron and Miriam speak against Moses; Miriam is stricken with leprosy; Moses prays on her behalf.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As the blessed observance of the passover ended in chapter 9, the guiding cloud lifted from the tabernacle in chapter 10, sending the entire camp of Israel in motion. What an exciting time it must have been as “the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place from them.” (Numbers 10:33) moving them ever closer to Canaan! Surely this was a time when the children of Israel were filled with praise, lifting their voices with triumphant singing and rejoicing! One would certainly think that would be the case. But sadly, the opening words of chapter 11 begin this way… “And when the people COMPLAINED.” In fact, complaining and murmuring becomes one of Israel’s favorite pastimes! Check this out…
- “And when the people complained…” – Numbers 11:1
- “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses…” – Numbers 12:1
- “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron…” – Numbers 14:2
- “Now Korah…took men: And they rose up before Moses…and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron…” – Numbers 16:1-3
- “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron…” – Numbers 16:41
- “And the men, which Moses sent to search the land…made all the congregation to murmur against him…” – Numbers 14:36
There is so much complaining in this book, some have even suggested that rather than being called the Book of Numbers, perhaps the fourth book of Moses might more aptly be called, “The Book of Murmurs”!
But not only did the people fall into the trap of murmuring and complaining, they also fell into the trap of lusting. It seems unthinkable, especially coming off the heels of the glorious reminder of their deliverance from the AFFLICTION of their flesh in Egypt that they had just celebrated in the passover, that only a few days later they would be lusting for the ways their flesh was GRATIFIED in Egypt! (Numbers 11:4–9) Once again, we may need to remind ourselves of what Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 10:6, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” Sometimes it’s easy for believers to forget that this world’s system (Egypt) was the snare Satan used to hold us captive at his will! (2nd Timothy 2:26) Forgetting that it was that very system of evil that almost sent us to hell, we begin to lust for the ways our flesh was gratified when we were in it. May God help us!
Note the disastrous results of the complaining and carnality of the people upon their leader. Moses himself is thrust into great discouragement, and begins to voice his complaint to the Lord. (11:10–15) He basically cries out, “I can’t do this, God! The burden is too heavy. Just kill me!”
In the remainder of chapter 11, God answers the complaints of both Moses and the people. He gives Moses 70 elders to assist him in his work, and he gives the Jews the meat for which they lusted. Note, however, that in both cases, THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, BUT LOST WHAT THEY HAD! The Spirit of God anointing Moses to lead the people was divided among the 70 elders, and the meat the children of Israel lusted after was a curse that led to their death. (“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14–15) Perhaps the key lesson here is, be careful what you ask God for!
In chapter 12, the murmuring has ascended to yet another level. Now it flows from Moses’ own brother and sister, Aaron, the high priest, and Miriam, Israel’s prophetess. (Exodus 15:20) They state that their complaint against Moses was the Ethiopian wife he had selected, but note that it is only the smokescreen to mask their own jealousy and pride. Their complaint wasn’t really against Moses’ selection of a wife, it was against Moses’ AUTHORITY! What they really wanted was the authority of Moses’ position. Verse 2 makes their motive abundantly clear. Once again, don’t miss the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same! Human nature still employs the same tactics in the 21st century.
Note that in his meekness (12:3), Moses doesn’t seek to vindicate himself but rather trusts God to handle the situation. God was well able to do His job!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
In MOSES who “was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” – Numbers 12:3 (Matthew 11:29 – Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart.”)