Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Numbers 11 Devotional

Too Heavy to Carry Alone

“The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.””Numbers 11:23 (BSB)

The people complain about their hardship, and fire from the LORD burns the edge of the camp until Moses prays (11:1-2). Then craving spreads from the rabble, and Israel weeps for the fish and onions of Egypt, saying there is nothing to look at but manna (11:4-6). God names what is really happening: they have turned their backs on the LORD who lives among them (11:20). The quail come, but so does a plague on those who craved (11:31-34). Paul names this craving as a warning for us (1 Corinthians 10:6).

Overwhelmed, Moses asks God to kill him rather than make him carry these people alone (11:14-15). God answers by placing some of the Spirit that is on Moses onto seventy elders, so he will not bear the burden by himself (11:17, 25). When Moses doubts there could be enough meat, God asks whether his power has limits (11:23). Discontent rejects the God who is present. Honest exhaustion brought to him finds help. You can bring him the load you cannot carry.

To think about: Is your weariness turning into complaint against God, or can you bring it to him honestly as Moses did?

About Numbers 11: Complaints, Quail, and the Seventy Elders

Israel complains, and fire burns at Taberah until Moses prays. The rabble crave meat and despise the manna, and Moses cries that the burden is too heavy. God shares his Spirit with seventy elders and sends quail, but strikes the craving people with a plague.

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