Numbers - Chapter 11

Numbers 11.1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11.2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. Numbers 11.3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them. Numbers 11.4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? Numbers 11.5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: Numbers 11.6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. Numbers 11.7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. Numbers 11.8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. Numbers 11.9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. Numbers 11.10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. Numbers 11.11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Numbers 11.12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Numbers 11.13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. Numbers 11.14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. Numbers 11.15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Numbers 11.16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. Numbers 11.17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. Numbers 11.18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. Numbers 11.19 Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; Numbers 11.20 But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? Numbers 11.21 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Numbers 11.22 Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? Numbers 11.23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. Numbers 11.24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. Numbers 11.25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. Numbers 11.26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. Numbers 11.27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. Numbers 11.28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. Numbers 11.29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! Numbers 11.30 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. Numbers 11.31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. Numbers 11.32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. Numbers 11.33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. Numbers 11.34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. Numbers 11.35 And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.

Numbers : Chapter 11

Reflections on Numbers 11: Complaints and Divine Provision Numbers chapter 11 is a profoundly revealing account that illustrates the complaints of the people of Israel and how God responds to their discontent. This passage highlights Moses' discouragement, the appointment of seventy elders to assist him, and God's miraculous sending of quail. Through these events, we are confronted with essential themes such as ingratitude, shared leadership, and the consequences of greed. Numbers 11 highlights the striking contrast between divine provision and human dissatisfaction, inviting us to reflect on our own relationship with gratitude and spiritual direction. With this in mind, we invite you to explore five biblical passages that shed light on the principles of contentment and leadership present in this complex chapter.

1. 1 Corinthians 10:10

"And do not grumble, as some of them grumbled and were killed by the destroying angel." - In this exhortation, Paul recalls the Israelites' complaints and the serious consequences that resulted, warning us against the temptation to grumble.

2. James 5:16

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - This exhortation reminds us of the importance of intercession, just as Moses prays for the people in Numbers 11.

3. John 3:34

"For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, because God gives him the Spirit without limitation." - This verse about Jesus evokes the distribution of the Spirit to the seventy elders, highlighting divine generosity in contrast to human dissatisfaction.

4. Philippians 2:14

"Do everything without complaining and disputing." - Paul reinforces the warning against complaining, a central theme in Numbers 11, urging us to adopt an attitude of contentment.

5. Psalms 78:29-31

"They ate until they were satisfied; he gave them what they desired. But before they had finished satisfying their desire, while there was still food in their mouths, God's anger was kindled against them; he struck down the strongest among them and struck down the young men of Israel." - This psalm directly echoes the events of Numbers 11, reminding us that greed can lead to severe judgment.

Meditating on these passages, we are called to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and acknowledge God's abundant provision in our lives, while learning to exercise wise leadership and of humility.