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!

Numbers 11:11

While Moses was probably displeased at what the people were doing, he was also displeased with God and what He was doing. Moses did not understand what was going on, either. So he makes a complaint.

Now remember that he already had the other ones appointed.

I want you to notice that the title shifted here—from "judges" to "elders." Does that indicate anything to you? The pattern is already set in what happened following the experience of Moses with his father-in-law, Jethro. The pattern is set, but here assistance is given to Moses of a spiritual—rather than a secular—nature. The problem here was bad attitudes. Moses was simply unable to minister spiritually to all of these people. And so God took of His Holy Spirit (that He had given to Moses); and He distributed to the seventy the same Spirit. So we have a group of men; and it is quite possible that many (or, some) of these seventy were the same men as in the Exodus 18 incident.

Numbers 11:11

In Numbers 11:11 there is a very similar situation where Moses complains to God about how He has afflicted Moses with these people, the Israelites, because all they were doing were complaining. You know, "How can I deal with these people?" He could not see the greater purpose. And it is hard. I am not saying this as a criticism because it is hard to see what God is doing while you are in the midst of something and so Moses takes his problem before God and complains that God is dealing with him harshly.

Numbers 11:11

Moses renounces responsibility for the people and in hopeless anguish contemplates the impossibility of finding meat for the people. He was looking at it from a human standpoint.