Commentary on Numbers 11 & 12

INTERESTING FACTS : "The Bible is no mere book, but it's a living creature with a power that conquers all who oppose it." Napoleon BONAPARTE[1]

DAILY READING : [NUMBERS 10 - 12]

TEXT : The eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Book of Numbers has so many principles of Scripture that apply to the Christian, I think it is beneficial to make this a commentary - devotional. Therefore, let us look at some of the lessons provided for us in these two chapters.

NUMBERS 11

Num 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.

We see here God does not take complaining against His ways lightly. It should also be noted God gets angry. The anger of God and His judgment against His own people is a truth found in both the Old and New Testament. We need to be careful as we walk with Christ of our attitude towards His command and His ordained path - a straight and narrow one.

Num 11:2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. Num 11:3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

Next we see the power of intercessory prayer. Often in the Bible we see what God can do [or stop doing] when people - in particular those is leadership, pray on behalf of God's people, the nation, communities, etc. We must never underestimate the power of prayer, and be untiring in our practice of it.

Num 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? Num 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: Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. Num 11:7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. Num 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. Num 11:9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

As soon as one judgment stops, another starts. Again, it is in response to the people's complaint against the Lord. Notice there is a mixed multitude among the Israelites. The same is true in the Church. Not everyone who is a member of a local Church or attends services has a heart after God. We must be sure to watch ourselves, and not be led astray by those whose bitterness, murmuring, and complaining will infect the rest of the Body of Christ. At times, we must separate ourselves even from those who sit around us. Looking back at the world that Christ saved us from, and desiring to return is forbidden by Christ. However, if we are not wise about the company we keep - even in the Church; their carnal ambitions will soon become ours as well.

Num 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. Num 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? Num 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? Num 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. Num 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. Num 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.

True ministry for God and by God has never been easy. Contrary to what carnal and ignorant Christians may think, the ministry of God's Spirit in the man ordained to lead God's Church, is an arduous task. Here Moses asks to die if He must continue listening and leading these people. We also observe His anger with the people. We must remember to pray for those in authority in the Church, for if they are truly called of God, they have a difficult "row to hoe." Real ministry for Christ is notorious for ruining the health and welfare of the minister as both the Bible and history testify.

Num 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. Num 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.

Delegation of ministerial duties is necessary in the life of the Church. However, the leader whether elder, pastor, bishop, etc. must discern who is called as well as qualified. There is an old saying - "God qualifies those He calls, and calls those He qualifies." Far too often, delegation of ministerial duties - that is, positions of leadership in the Church, is a political contest or one of popularity rather than prayerful consideration and sticking to the guidelines of the Word of God. Again, this has caused unspeakable to damage to the lives of those who depend on godly leadership, since sinful and ambitious men always seek positions of control. We must pray for God's ordained leadership to be found and put in place so the Church can function properly without burning out the pastor and the people.

Num 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. Num 11:19 Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; Num 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?

Here, the axiom - "Be careful what you pray for. You just may get it." - is the watchword. The people complained so much for what they wanted that God gave it to them. When they were done eating, they were nauseous and dissatisfied with their own requests. Many were dead! Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China in the 19th century once said - "God gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him." This should be our motto as well.

Num 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. Num 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? Num 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.

It appears that the unbelief of the people even rubs off on Moses as He has doubts how [he] will supply all the meat the people want. Yet, God encourages him, that He is able to do anything. This is a reminder that God is leading the Church, not the Church leading God.

Num 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. Num 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. Num 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. Num 11:27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. Num 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. Num 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!

As the Spirit of the Lord falls on the seventy elders, they prophesy. This is similar to the second chapter of Acts when God poured out His Spirit on the Church. After Christ returns to Heaven, there is more than one Prophet [Christ]. There are hundreds. This is the plan of God for His people. However, Joshua is jealous for Moses, as the disciples were of those who cast out devils in Jesus name because they did not walk with their group. The same is true of the day of Pentecost. It is God's plan to have all His people working for Him. Even Moses does not own the people of God. It is God's prerogative to "give the Kingdom" to whomever He will.

Num 11:30 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. Num 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. Num 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. Num 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. Num 11:34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. Num 11:35 And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.

Finally the people got what they wanted - and many of the people died. How fitting an illustration of those who pervert the Gospel to say what it never said as people grab for wealth, popularity, fame, prestige etc. - all of which is contrary to the teaching of Christ - only to have their end be as these unfortunate souls. Death through desire! Let our words be - "Thy will be done, not My will be done."

NUMBERS 12

Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.

The rebellion against God ordained leadership continues as Moses own brother and sister oppose him; in particular his marriage to the Ethiopian woman. Once again, God is not pleased. Notice the attempt at equality when Aaron and Miriam claim the "same" anointing as Moses. We must be clear about this truth - although all of are saved by the same Spirit and called to work for God, not all of us have the same office. Therefore, in some respects' the calling of God varies in degrees. We must not make the mistake to think the Holy Spirit gives His anointing equally to all Christians. He does not. Some have greater and lesser responsibilities. That was the issue here. Aaron and Miriam forgot their "place."

Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Critics of the Bible often use this verse as a "proof" God did not write the Bible, or that Moses did not write the Pentateuch. However, we find no difficulty with Moses making this statement about himself since the men who wrote the Bible were obligated to put on paper whatever God spoke. Many statements in the Bible are hard to explain or grasp.

Num 12:4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. Num 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. Num 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Like children, God calls them "suddenly" to be dealt with. He goes on to explain how He will speak to His prophets, keeping in mind if the prophesy did not happen, the death penalty was the price of presumption.

Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses Num 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

Those who fear God are slow to speak against God ordained leadership. However, even the best of saints can slip into this trap of the enemy. More than that, as Jesus said, at times your worst enemy concerning the Gospel lives in your home. This is a fact we observe here in Moses case.

Num 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. Num 12:11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Num 12:12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.

The Apostle Paul wrote - "behold the goodness and severity of God." We understand that God can be our greatest friend or most fearsome foe, depending on our response and behavior to His Word. We also see here that God is not a respecter of persons. Unlike us, God does not pacify the rich, influential, or prominent members of society. His laws are distributed and executed equally - for better or for worse.

Num 12:13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. Num 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days - let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. Num 12:15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. Num 12:16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

One more time, we see the power of intercession. We cannot forget the influence our prayers have in the Heavens. Miriam is forgiven and healed through Moses intercession. This this reminds us of the exhortation in James - And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [Jam 5: 15]

[1] http://bibleresources.bible.com/Bquotes.php