Numbers 11

In verses 4-6, “The misfits among the people had a craving and soon they had the People of Israel whining, “Why can’t we have meat? We ate fish in Egypt—and got it free! — to say nothing of the cucumbers and melons, the leeks and onions and garlic. But nothing tastes good out here; all we get is manna, manna, manna.” People are ever the same and so is Satan. Manipulation and discontent still lead to destruction and serve his purpose well.

Verses 15-16 show Moses is human. “’I can’t do this by myself—it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.’ GOD said to Moses, ‘Gather together seventy men from among the leaders of Israel, men whom you know to be respected and responsible.’” Moses has reached his limit and God knows it. God knows. Paul says he will not press us beyond what we can bear. He shows Moses the way out.

Seemingly Israel’s complaint of a meatless diet is reasonable. God gives them what they want, and it nauseates them. Verse 20 says, “And here’s why: Because you have rejected GOD who is right here among you, whining to his face, ‘Oh, why did we ever have to leave Egypt?’” Complaint by those who claim the walk of faith is complaint against God. It rejects his wisdom and goodness in ordering our circumstances. It screams lack of trust, that God will not press us beyond what we can bear.

There is consequence to rejecting God’s provision. “But while they were still chewing the quail and had hardly swallowed the first bites, GOD’s anger blazed out against the people. He hit them with a terrible plague. They ended up calling the place Kibroth Hattaavah (Graves-of-the-Craving). There they buried the people who craved meat.” (vs. 33-34) In fast tracking a nation’s spiritual, political and cultural development God’s lessons were stark, and clear. They had to be.

The believer must trust he is where God wants him, regardless of circumstance, and that God will not ask more than he can give. It matters not whether the circumstance is deserved. Almighty God can design every moment of every person’s life toward the goal of relationship, with himself and others. He teaches us who he is, who we are, and how we work best. The circumstance is not the star player. God is.

All quotes are from The Message.