Then Moses heard the people of family after family weeping at the entrances to their tents, and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly, and Moses was also displeased. Then Moses heardThe Hebrew root for "heard" is שָׁמַע (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and perceiving. Moses, as the leader, was deeply attuned to the emotional and spiritual state of the Israelites. His hearing signifies a leadership that is responsive and empathetic, aware of the burdens and complaints of the people he leads. the people weeping
The Hebrew word for "weeping" is בָּכָה (bakah), which conveys a sense of lamentation and sorrow. This weeping was not just a momentary expression of sadness but a communal outcry reflecting dissatisfaction and longing. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' struggle with faith and trust in God's provision, a recurring theme in their wilderness journey. throughout their clans
The term "clans" refers to the familial and tribal divisions within the Israelite community. This indicates that the discontent was widespread, affecting every segment of society. It underscores the unity in their complaint, but also the collective failure to trust in God's plan. The structure of clans was significant in maintaining order and identity among the Israelites, yet here it also shows how discontent can permeate an entire community. each one at the entrance to his tent
The "entrance to his tent" symbolizes a personal and intimate space. The tent was the center of family life, and standing at its entrance to weep suggests a public display of private grievances. This act of weeping at the tent's entrance shows the depth of their despair and the breakdown of personal faith, as their homes became places of complaint rather than worship. And the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly
The phrase "anger of the LORD" uses the Hebrew word אַף (aph), which literally means "nose" or "nostrils," metaphorically describing the flaring of nostrils in anger. God's anger here is a response to the people's lack of faith and gratitude. It is a righteous anger, emphasizing God's holiness and the seriousness of their rebellion. The word "kindled" suggests a fire that is ignited, indicating the intensity of God's displeasure. and Moses was also displeased
The Hebrew root for "displeased" is רַע (ra), which can mean evil or bad, but in this context, it conveys a sense of distress or trouble. Moses, as a mediator between God and the people, feels the weight of their rebellion and the burden of leadership. His displeasure reflects his frustration and the overwhelming challenge of guiding a people who continually doubt and rebel against God's provision. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this passage, Moses is overwhelmed by the complaints of the people. 2. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who are journeying through the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt. They are expressing dissatisfaction with their circumstances. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is angered by the people's lack of faith and gratitude. 4. The WildernessThe setting of the Israelites' journey, representing both physical and spiritual challenges. 5. The TentsSymbolic of the temporary and transitional state of the Israelites, reflecting their journey and dependence on God. Teaching Points The Danger of ComplainingComplaining reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and plan. It can lead to spiritual stagnation and discontentment. God's Patience and JusticeWhile God is patient, persistent rebellion and ingratitude can provoke His righteous anger. We must strive to align our hearts with His will. Leadership ChallengesLike Moses, leaders may face overwhelming burdens. It's crucial to seek God's guidance and strength in times of difficulty. The Importance of GratitudeCultivating a heart of gratitude helps us focus on God's blessings rather than our perceived lacks. Community InfluenceThe collective attitude of a community can influence individual behavior. Encouraging a culture of faith and thankfulness is vital. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Israelites' attitude in Numbers 11:10 reflect their spiritual state, and what can we learn from this about our own attitudes toward God's provision? 2. In what ways can we identify and combat a spirit of complaining in our own lives, using Philippians 2:14-15 as a guide? 3. How can leaders today draw strength from Moses' example when facing overwhelming challenges and dissatisfaction among those they lead? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a difficult situation. How can remembering this help you cultivate gratitude in your current circumstances? 5. How can we, as a community of believers, encourage one another to maintain a spirit of thankfulness and trust in God's plan, especially during challenging times? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 16The Israelites previously complained about food, and God provided manna. This connection highlights a recurring theme of ingratitude and lack of faith. Psalm 78This psalm recounts the history of Israel's rebellion and God's faithfulness, providing a broader context for understanding the Israelites' behavior. Philippians 2:14-15Paul instructs believers to do everything without complaining, contrasting the attitude of the Israelites with the call to live blamelessly. People Eldad, Israelites, Joshua, Medad, Moses, NunPlaces Egypt, Hazeroth, Kibroth-hattaavah, Paran, TaberahTopics Anger, Angry, Blazed, Burneth, Displeased, Door, Doorway, Entrance, Evil, Exceedingly, Families, Family, Greatly, Heareth, Hotly, Kindled, Opening, Tent, Tent-door, Throughout, Troubled, Wailing, Weep, Weeping, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 11:10 5578 tents Numbers 11:4-10 6218 provoking God Numbers 11:4-34 4438 eating Numbers 11:10-12 4207 land, divine gift Numbers 11:10-15 8726 doubters Numbers 11:10-17 8614 prayer, answers Library April 12. "They were as it Were, Complainers" (Num. xi. 1).
"They were as it were, complainers" (Num. xi. 1). There is a very remarkable phrase in the book of Numbers, in the account of the murmuring of the children of Israel in the wilderness. It reads like this: "When the people, as it were, murmured." Like most marginal readings it is better than the text, and a great world of suggestive truth lies back of that little sentence. In the distance we may see many a vivid picture rise before our imagination of people who do not dare to sin openly and unequivocally, …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Baptist's Testimony.
"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.... John beareth witness of Him, and crieth, saying, This was He of whom I said, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. For of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II False Ambition Versus Childlikeness.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 1-14; ^B Mark IX. 33-50; ^C Luke IX. 46-50. ^c 46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ^b 33 And he came to Capernaum: ^c 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, ^b and when he was in the house [probably Simon Peter's house] he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. [The Lord with his disciples was …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 11:10 NIVNumbers 11:10 NLTNumbers 11:10 ESVNumbers 11:10 NASBNumbers 11:10 KJV
Numbers 11:10 Commentaries
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