Grumbling and Complaining

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Num. 11:1
“Now the people complained,” - complaints about manna (Exod 16) and a lack of water (Exod 17:1-7). Now the people again showed their ungratefulness that marked their early experience in the desert. An attitude of ingratitude.

The response of the Lord to this outbreak of murmuring was one of wrath.

This purging fire was limited to the outskirts of the camp, a mercy from the Lord. He might have cast his fire into the midst of the camp and killed many more persons.

The judgment by “fire” is suggestive, not only of judgment, but of refining, of cleansing. Perhaps a burst of fire will not only judge the offenders of God’s grace but will serve as well as a symbol of cleansing for the entire camp.

“fire from the LORD” may refer to fire ignited by Lord casting of lightning (as seems possible in 1 Kings 18:38, in the encounter of Elijah with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel). The imagery of Baal in the nature religion of Canaan often presents him in association with lightning and storm, as the one who casts his bolt, beats the drums of the heavens, then drives the clouds across the sky.

It seems altogether possible that the “fire from the LORD” in this text is judgment in the form of a bolt (or bolts) of lightning that caused terrible fire among the people on the outskirts of the camp.

Num. 11:2
In the midst of his wrath, the Lord remembers mercy.

The people truly deserve God’s wrath. But the survivors of this outburst of his anger cry out to Moses for help in their behalf before the Lord. Moses prays, and the fire subsides. .

Num. 11:3
“Taberah” comes from a Hebrew noun meaning “burning”; it is mentioned only here and in Deuteronomy 9:22. Because of the raging fire of God in their midst, the people named that place of awful memory “Taberah,” Burning.

Sadly, the memory of the burning at Taberah seems to have been lost quickly. It was followed by another even more serious attack on God’s mercy in the people’s rejection of manna, the bread of heaven.

provocation of burning (vv.1-3) and the provocation of the plague of quail (vv.4-35),

The placement of these stories in abrupt linking suggests that the time lapse is insignificant.. It seems this new rebellion transpired on the next stop along the march (see v.34).

The biblical view is that there are no “common meals.” Paul attacks the ideas of some in his day who minimized food to the mechanical processes of digestion...

1Cor. 8:13
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

There is more to eating than food and stomach. This is why we must bless God especially at meal times...

Deut. 8:10
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

Eating a satisfying meal is for the believer a reason to praise of the Lord who gives good gifts. Similarly, to attack God for meagerness in food or for a lack of variety may be an act of impiety.

Num. 11:4
This “rabble,” a term for the non-Israelite mixed group of people who followed the people of Israel from Egypt.

Those who did not know the Lord and his mercies too easily incited those who did know him to rebel against him.

However the murmuring began, it soon spread throughout the camp of Israel.

The people began to complain concerning their diet, forgetting what God had done for them: “in the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wasteland they put God to the test” (Ps 106:14).

By fanazing about the past, the people tended to minimize the taskmasters when in a new type of distress. This is a common human failing.

“to crave” leads to the name of the location of the subsequent judgment, Kibroth Hattaavah, “Graves of Craving” (v.34).

The wording “they craved a craving” is emphatic in nature; the meaning is something like “they had an intense craving “ for meat. ”

Num. 11:5-6
The several types of vegetables and fruit mentioned in this verse are suggestive of the varieties of foods available in Egypt, in contrast to a diet of manna in the desert (v.6).

Further, the poor in Egypt were able to supplement their diet with fish that are found in many canals and waterways.

We may suggest that they were exaggerating the variety and plenty of their diet in Egypt. But there are no fish or vegetables to be had in the desert.

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Num. 11:10
The rejection of his gracious gift of heavenly food ( “ bread from heaven ” Exod 16:4 ) was extremely evil to the Lord.

Israel’s rejection was a failure of the test of faith. God had said that the reception of the manna by the people would be a significant test of their obedience (Exod 16:4).

The people had allowed themselves to think back to their lives in slavery and to regard that estate as more pleasurable than their present walk with the Lord on their way to the land of his promise.

The people were expected to receive each day’s supply of manna as a gracious gift of a merciful God and a promise of abundance to come. In their rejection the manna, the people had contemned him.

Num. 11:11-15
Moses. Instead of turning to the Lord to ask that he understand the substance of their complaint, Moses turned to the Lord to ask why he was given such an ungrateful people to lead.

Moses ask God why he has brought calamity on him,

Moses brings all this on himself. He would rather die than continue to be so troubled by this stubborn, people.

It is the Lord who has conceived this people. It is he who has given them birth. He is their nurse, their mother, their succor in the desert place. He has promised them their land; he will give them their place.

The people were screaming out to Moses; but ultimately they were ranting against the Lord.

When Moses rhetorically contemplates death as escape.

Recap

Here is the people's sin; they complained. The sinfulness of sin, the weakness of the law discovered sin, but could not destroy it; checked, but could not conquer it. They complained.

Those who are of a discontented spirit, will always find something to quarrel or dwell on. The Lord heard it, though Moses did not. God knows the secret moanings and murmurings of the heart, though concealed from men.

What he noticed, he was much displeased with, and he chastised them for this sin.

The fire of their wrath against God burned in their minds; justly did the fire of God's wrath come upon them.

They were weary of the provision God had made for them, although wholesome food and nourishing. It cost no money or care, and the labour of gathering it was very little indeed; yet they talked of Egypt's cheapness, and the fish they ate there freely; as if that cost them nothing, when they paid dearly for it with hard service. While they lived on manna, they seemed exempt from the curse sin has brought on man, that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread; yet they speak of it with scorn.

Waspish, discontented minds will find fault with that which has no fault in it, but that it is too good for them. Those who might be happy, often make themselves miserable by discontent. They could not be satisfied unless they had flesh to eat.

It is evidence of the dominion of the carnal mind.

The provocation was very great; yet Moses undervalued the honour God had put upon him.

He magnified his own performances, while he had the Divine wisdom to direct him, and Almighty power to dispense rewards and punishments.

He speaks distrustfully of the Divine grace.

Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven I pray we all do not get to the point we all complain about everything. I pray we look to you with an open, happy heart and do what You want us to do and it would make it easier for everyone, that we have joy in You. Thank You Lord.

In the name of Jesus. Amen

TGIF