Numbers 11:11 - Forerunner Commentary

Numbers 11:11

9 And ^awhen the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

10 Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and ^athe anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased.

11 ^aSo Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the¹ burden of all these people on me?

12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ^a‘Carry them in your bosom, as a ^bguardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You ^cswore to their fathers?

13 ^aWhere am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’

14 ^aI am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.

15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and ^ado not let me see my wretchedness!”

The Seventy Elders

16 So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me ^aseventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and ^bofficers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.

17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. ^aI will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

Commentaries:

No entry exists in Forerunner Commentary for Numbers 11:11.

Numbers 11:10-15

The grumbling started with the mixed multitude that went with them, and then it spread to them. What did they attack? God Himself—the very hope of productive lives in the weekly reminder of the work that only our Great God can do. They literally told God that they despised what He had given them to sustain life, wanting more of what they thought would satisfy their carnal lusts.

Even Moses was getting worn down showing itself in failing to remember all that God had done to bring them to this point, with unlimited power. Although, we see in verses 16-17, God provided Moses with the help he needed to continue. Apparently, He saw in Moses’ almost overwhelming frustration and his own recognition of his failures to live up to his responsibilities (Numbers 11:15), and that he needed a way of escape, which God provided (Numbers 11:16-30).

But with those who complained (with rebellion in their hearts), literally despising what God had provided to keep them whole and sound now for year—He was furious!

Excerpted from Lessons from the Count to Pentecost

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The Seventy Elders

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