Review & Intro: At the final verses in chapter 10, Moses is celebrating the providence of God: “He goes before us, He provides and protects us, He cares for us, He loves us….” And then suddenly, having closed chapter 10 with a stress on God’s sovereign providence, in the very opening verses of chapter 11, Israel seems to forget it all. As the people began their journey to the Promised Land, they were a few days out and things were not so easy. They were tired and they were bored of the food God had been feeding them with. Remember, the sacrifices that they enjoyed eating were only available when they were settled, and the tabernacle was set up for the regular daily offerings. During the march, they lived off the manna that fell from heaven each day. 
Numbers Chapter 11 - Observation Questions
1. What did the people become like? vs. 1a
2. When we become like this, how does it effect our witness to others?
- Philippians 2:15,16 -
3. Back to Numbers 11 ... God has provided for them in so many ways; He even has bread coming down from heaven for them to gather each day of their journey in the wilderness. His cloud is covering them to keep them in shade from the heat. His fire is there at night to give them warmth and light and protection from stumbling in the dark. Yet, they complain rather than have a heart of thanksgiving. The Lord was angry about it and allowed a fire to consume some of the outskirts of the camp. (vs.1b) ... The people cried out to Moses; Moses prayed to God. What happened to the fire? vs. 2
4. What did they name that place because of the fire of the Lord that had burned among them? vs. 3
5. The Apostle Paul wants us to learn from the things that they went through so that we will not complain and murmer or be greedy like they were. What does he share with us in the verses below?
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
6. Back to Numbers 11. ... The rabble ( non-Jews that followed them out of Egypt - Read Exodus 12:37-38) ...among them had "greedy" desires. They influenced everyone else. "Remember the great food we had back in Egypt?" ... What were the sons of Israel weeping about? vs.4-6
7. What does Moses tell us about the manna? What was it like? How would the people gather it and prepare it? When did it fall new for each day? vs.7-9
8. According to Jesus, Who is the true manna from heaven? Comment on the following verses.
- John 6:31 -
- John 6:32-33 -
- John 6:34-35 -
- John 6:41-
- John 6:47-51 -
- John 6:58 -
9. Back to Numbers 11. Moses heard the people weeping, each man at the doorway of his tent, and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly. Who was also displeased? vs. 10
10. Rather than vent to another person, Moses took his complaints straight to the Lord. He questioned Him ... "Why have you been so hard on Your servant?" ... "Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me?" .... This is rather distorted thinking on Moses' part. What had the Lord told them in Exodus 19:4?
11. Moses continues to cry out to the Lord about the burden he felt trying to take care of the needs of over 600,000 people. That was men only; with the women and children it was over 2 million people. He simply wants to know from the Lord ... "Where am I to get meat to give to all this people?" (vs.12-14) ... If the Lord isn't going to change anything, what does Moses want Him to do to him? vs. 15
12. The Lord listened to Moses and told him to bring 70 men from the elders of Israel whom he knew to be elders of the people and their officers. He said to bring them to the tent of meeting and have them stand with him.(vs.16) ...The Lord would come down and speak to Moses and what else would He do concerning the 70 elders? vs. 17
13. Then the Lord told Moses to tell the people to consecrate themselves for the next day they would eat "meat" for their crying had reached His ears, saying they were "better off" and "well off" in Egypt. (How soon we forget - they were 400 years in slavery there and only 3 days into the wilderness, having manna daily here on the journey to a land of Promise) ... Anyway, the Lord is sending them meat for a month to come. (vs.18-20). How would the abundance of meat effect them and why was God doing it this way? vs. 20
14. Moses questioned how there could be meat for them in this way. He wondered if flocks and herds should be slaughtered for them and if there would be enough? He thought about all the fish of the sea being gathered for them and if that would be enough? (vs.21-22) ... How did the Lord answer Him? vs. 23
15. That is good enough for Moses to know. He told the people to prepare themselves to eat meat the following day. He gathered the 70 elders to himself and stationed them around the tent. (vs.24) .. The Lord came down in the cloud and He did what He said He would! .. He took of the Spirit that was upon Moses and placed Him (the Spirit) upon the 70 elders. When the Spirit rested upon them, what did they do that one time but never again? vs. 25
16. There were 2 men who had remained in the camp and the Spirit rested upon them where they were and they prophesied right there in the camp. What were their names? vs. 26
17. A young man ran to tell Moses about them prophesying in the camp. (vs.27)... What did Joshua, the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, say to Moses about this? vs. 28
18. How did Moses answer the concern of Joshua who might have been jealous for his sake that others were prophets also? vs. 29
Note: Godly leaders are never jealous of another's experiences with the Lord. They should desire that the Lord be glorified in His people whatever way the Lord Himself desires. Amen.
19. Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders with him. (vs.30).... A wind came forth the following day. ... What did it bring from the sea? vs. 31a -
20. How far a distance did the quail fall around them and how deep were they when they finished falling out of the sky? vs. 31
21. How long did it take the people to gather them all up? vs. 32
22. What was the least amount gathered and what does that mean in our mathmatical understanding? (look it up) .. vs. 32
23. While the meat was still between their teeth, even before it was chewed, what broke out against the people eating and why? vs. 33-34
24. Where did they set out for after they left Kibroth-hattaavah? vs. 35
Application:
25. There is a reason why God allows trials in our lives. There was a reason He had them eat manna in the wilderness. If they would have looked to Him for the lesson He was teaching, they would have had blessing and prosperity, but they were greedy and full of lust and it led them to destruction, many even died. What does God want us to learn from our times of trial and temptations? Comment on the following verses:
- Deuteronomy 8:1-3 -
- James 1:12-17 -
- 1 Corinthians 10:10-13 -
- 1 Timothy 6:6-11 -
26. It is important the company we keep. The rabble caused the children of Israel to doubt the Lord's goodness. It seems there is always trouble-makers in every good group we may be a part of. We must continue to rehearse the goodness of God and trust Him that He is going to bring good out of our situations. If not, we will become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, and then we will become ungrateful and a complainer. Comment on the following verses:
- Galatians 6:7-9 -
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 -
- 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 -
- 2 Timothy 2:22 -
- Romans 12:1,2 -
27. What is hard in your life right now? Would you like to share the current circumstances that you are tempted to complain about? Can you look deeper to find things that you should be grateful for in the midst of the storms? Write out your thoughts and what you have learned from today's lesson.
28. Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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