Observations and Interpretations:
(1) Structure of this passage (NAC)
A People’s Complaint: Meat (11:4–10a, b)
B Moses’ Complaint: Assistance (11:10b–15)
X God’s Answer to Mose' Complaints (11:16–17)
God's Answer to people's Complaints 18-23
B´ God Authorizes Elders: Diminishes Moses (11:24b–30)
A´ God Supplies Meat: Punishes Complainers (11:31–34)
People complained first, and that raised the complaint of Moses v.11. God took care of Moses first because He dealt with the people.
B´ God Authorizes Elders: Diminishes Moses (11:24b–30)
A´ God Supplies Meat: Punishes Complainers (11:31–34)
People complained first, and that raised the complaint of Moses v.11. God took care of Moses first because He dealt with the people.
(2) Why did Moses complain? Because it was not possible to love the people like a father loves his own child while the people complain to God v.12. ‘Carry them in your arms, as a foster father bears a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to their fathers?
Application (1) and (2): Do you feel that there is too much God has given to you that you need to bear with ? Not enough love to love those who are unlovable? God knows the importance of the leaders. He gave special care to the leaders. When God gave us an order He gave us the corresponding power.
On the other hand, God loves Israel and therefore He gave Moses such an order. Do we love those we lead like a father loving his new born child?
(3) What was the sin of the people? The people complained v.1 and they complained again after they witnessed the serious consequences of their first complaint v.2-4. They wept AGAIN and complained about food v.5, "We remember the fish we used to eat freely in Egypt,"
"Freely"=(NET) showing the ingratitude of the Israelites to God for His deliverance from bondage. To them now the bondage is preferable to the salvation—this is what angered the LORD.
God pointed out the seriousness of sin was more than the food, "because you have despised the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, 'Why did we ever come out of Egypt?' v.20b”
(EBC)... the only comparable thing for the modern reader would be for one who has made a Christian commitment to say to the Savior, “I wish you had not died for me! Leave me alone!” Application: Complaint reveals our faith and our unappreciated heart to God's goodness. We have selected the lesser and abandoned the better One. We thought we have the reason to complain and ignore the consequences. Pray to God that we love the right thing, that is, God is good and His presence is the delight of our soul. Pray also that we fear the consequences of sin.
(4) Although Moses did not understand how God could give enough meat for that vast numbers of people to eat v.21-23, he went out to gather the people and told them what God had told him v.24a. He trusted what the LORD promised to Him, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you will see whether my word to you will come true or not!” v.23.
Audrey
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