Justin Houtz

Numbers 11

DateVersionReading Plan
May 8, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 11

Observation & Interpretation

The people complained of their misfortunes in the hearing of the LORD, causing the LORD’s angered to be kindled against them. The fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts (Num. 11:1). “The ASV states only that the fire devoured in the uttermost part of the camp. Either way it was a merciful warning to the people as a whole of a judgment that would be severe.” (BBC) The people cried out to Moses who prayed to the LORD and the fire died down (Num. 11:3)

The rabble among the grumbling people had a strong craving. They wept again and complained that they had left plentiful and sumptuous food in Egypt, now only having the manna to look at (Num. 11:6). Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent (Num. 11:10). The anger of the LORD blazed hot and Moses, displeased, cried out to the LORD “concerning his own inability to take care of such a people alone; then he described the utter impossibility of providing meat for such a multitude. Finally, he asked for death as an escape from such problems.” (BBC)

The LORD told Moses to gather seventy elders and bring them to the tent of meeting that He would put on them some of the Spirit that was on Moses in order to bear some of the burden so Moses would not bear it alone. (Num. 11:17). The LORD told Moses that the people were to consecrate themselves for the next day and they shall eat meat because they had wept in the hearing of the LORD (Num. 11:18). However, they would not just eat for a few days but a whole month until it came out of their nostrils because they had rejected the LORD who was with them (Num. 11:18). Moses responded and “questioned the possibility of such an event, but the Lord promised to bring it to pass. On the way to Mount Sinai, God had miraculously provided meat for the children of Israel (Ex. 16:13). Moses should have remembered this and not questioned the ability of the Lord. How quickly we forget the Lord’s past mercies when circumstances close in around us!” (BBC) The LORD asked Moses rhetorically whether His hand was shortened and that he would see whether His word would come true (Num. 11:23).

Moses gathered the seventy men, placed them around the tent and the LORD came down in a cloud (Num. 11:24). The LORD took some of the Spirit that was on Moses, placed it on the seventy elders and they prophesied but only did so once “as a sign that the Spirit did indeed rest upon them, but this is a one-time occurrence.” (FSB) Eldad and Medad were among those registered who had the Spirit rest on them but they had not gone out to the tent. They prophesied in the camp and a young man, Joshua, told Moses, telling Moses to stop them (Num. 11:28). Moses asked Joshua whether he was jealous for his sake and stated through rhetorical question that it would be good if all of the LORD’s people prophesied and had the LORD’s Spirit placed on them (Num. 11:29).

A wind from the LORD sprang up and brought quail from the sea (Num. 11:31). The people rose all that day and night and gathered the quail (Num. 11:32). While the meat was in their mouths, before being consumed and still in their teeth, the LORD brought a plague and struck down the people. Those who had the craving were buried in the place called Kibroth-hattavah (Num. 11:34). The people then journeyed to Hazeroth and remained there (Num. 11:35).

Application

It seems important to highlight that the misremembering of the people regarding their time in Egypt was a complaint against the LORD. The FSB says, “Ironically, the Israelites crave the food of Egypt, gained from toil (Deut 11:10), whereas God gives them manna, food from heaven (Exod 16; Psa 78:24; 105:40).” How fickle we can become in difficult circumstances that we downplay or even outright deny the LORD’s gracious provision. May our reading of these people be a reminder of the LORD’s goodness and sovereignty, supplying our every need in every season.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You graciously provide for our every need. Father, help me to see Your goodness even in the difficult times.

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