Numbers 11:1, 2 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled… I. A CHAIN OF MORAL SEQUENCES, containing the following links: - 1. The people's sin. The complaints probably various, as may be illustrated from other narratives. 2. Their sin noticed. "The Lord heard it," as he hears every idle word, and reads every sinful thought (see outline on Numbers 12:2). 3. This notice awakens God's anger. By the necessity of his nature, "God is angry with the wicked every day." 4. His anger flamed forth in visible judgments. "The fire of the Lord burned among them," for "our God is a consuming fire," either to purge us from our sins, or to destroy us in our sins. 5. These judgments are fatal, "and consumed them" (Psalm 76:7). For another chain of sequences cf. James 1:14, 15. II. A CHAIN OF REMEDIAL BLESSINGS. 1. God's mercy tempers judgment. The fire only destroys "those in the utmost part of the camp" (Psalm 102:8-10). 2. The judgments inflicted humble the people, and lead them to appeal to Moses. Such judgments are blessings. Servants of God sought for by sinners, or even despisers, in the day of trouble (cf. Isaiah 70:14). 3. Moses, when appealed to, himself appeals to God. We disclaim all power as saviours, but look and point to the one Saviour (Psalm 60:11; Acts 3:12). 4. God appealed to in acceptable intercession, turns from the fierceness of his wrath (Psalm 99:6). And the High Priest of sinners, by a more costly mediation and a prevailing intercession, still interposes for sinners who "come unto God by him" (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). - P. Parallel Verses KJV: And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. |
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