King James Version

The Book of Numbers

Chapter 11

Commentary

This is a unique chapter thus far in our Journey Through The Bible in that it does make clear that God supplies supernatural means by which we may bring honor to Him; that he changes the course of history, He contradicts every level of science to bring His will to pass, and He loves us so much that when we live our lives as though there is no God or that He is merely our “Play Pretend Imaginary Friend” or our “Little Baby Jesus”…even through all of that He still defies all logic, as we know it, in effort to preserve humanity at all costs, save one: God will not suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

      To complain means to:   

1. to claim or express pain, displeasure, etc.

2. to find fault; declare annoyance

3. to make an accusation; bring a formal charge

The People did complain against Gods supernatural provision insomuch that they spoke as if the heathen ways of the Egyptians were better than that which God does bring about for the greater good. He can do that which they ask, and He wants to. The anger that was kindled is because the People did actually wail in a tantrum after much complaint among themselves in defiance to “God’s grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Great I Am addressed the doubt and challenged the people when he said in verse 23 “is the Lord’s hand waxed short? Thou shall see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.”

Let’s not overlook that the people did go on to describe among themselves that which they esteem as good for food in verse 5. They even went on to say in verse 6 that their souls were dried away and that there is nothing at all, save this manna before their eyes. It’s like they made effort to mock God’s Divine Provision!

It was not until the People “cried unto Moses” that the fire was quenched, and even then Moses did pray unto the Lord before God would bring a stop to the consequence that none of us have ever had the burden to experience in our entire lifetime today. For the Lord’s consuming fire went abroad to the uttermost parts of the camp (verse 1). This seems a lot more severe than we have ever seen in our lives…or does it? How many of us murmur today about questions such as, “why does God allow suffering?” or “if God really loves us why did he permit evil in the first place?”

It seems to me that God does render justice upon us even today and He even bestows His blessings upon us in our time of surrender to Him. It should be made understood just now that He abhors evil, just as He expects us to eschew evil and do good (1 Peter 3:11).

 Peace means: peace [pes] n.

1. freedom from war or a stopping of war

2. a treaty or agreement to end war or the threat of war

3. freedom from public disturbance or disorder; public security; law and order

4. freedom from disagreement or quarrels; harmony; concord

5. an undisturbed state of mind; absence of mental conflict; serenity: in full peace of mind

6. calm; quiet; tranquillity

vi. to be or become silent or quiet: obs. except in the imperative

Father, help me to gain Godliness and to be contented in it. I long for sin and I do not want to. I want to be repulsed by sin. I want to do that which is pleasing in Thy sight and I don’t want to refrain from it. I can overcome my natural lusts when I dwell in your Word, and not to simply sojourn there.

The Ninety Third Psalm is profound in semblance to my own life in that I have wrestled in great peril and I have also basked in the safety of Your sheltering wings wrapped snugly around me. You kept me warm there, and safe.  Now I can sleep comfortable and without any fear.

For You have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. With all power of heaven and earth I have in joint heirs with Jesus, greater things I do than this, because You have gone to the Father and placed within me instead, the Holy Spirit. Surely by the majestic power You have given me, I can overcome all things, even the host of enemies.

Thank You for that. Thank You for everything. I am no longer ashamed of me. I no longer regret me. In faith I reach to You now. I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Introduction

Numbers 10     Journey Through the Bible     Numbers 12