Scripture
By Janice Hall
Scripture Lesson Text : Numbers 11: 24-35
Related Scriptures: Psalms 105:37-41; Psalm 78:18-31; Philippians 1:15-18
Here we see the fulfillment of God’s word to Moses, that he would have help with spiritual leadership for the Israelites. God performed his promises to the people by giving them meat, howbeit, judgment was imminent.
Psalms 105: 37-41, speaks of the deliverance from Egypt and the wilderness. When Israel came out of Egypt, the Egyptians gave them great riches and God continued to be merciful to the murmuring people. Psalm 78: 18-31 is an historical narrative of the great mercies God had bestowed upon Israel. These verses also recount Israel’s constant disobedience to God. God’s anger kindles with unbelief and mistrust of Israel.
After expressing his gratitude for the Philippians and sharing how he’s been praying for them( Philippians 1:15-18), Paul explains that he is writing from prison. Paul further expresses that his imprisonment ‘for Christ’ had actually served to advance the gospel. Paul was seeking to show through his imprisonment, Christ was yet sovereign.
Synopsis
By Brittenne Boykin
In today’s lesson God anoints a group of elders to serve prophetically along with Moses. There were two elders who prophesied from inside the camp. A young man went to Moses complaining that these two elders were out of order because they were exercising their gift in the camp and not the tabernacle (Vs.27). The young man most likely expected Moses to be angry.
I’m sure that much to his surprise Moses welcomed the help, and as a good leader was just pleased that God was moving in their midst and His plan was prevailing. Their prophetic gifting was so evident that even Joshua urged Moses to make them stop because they were not prophesying from the tabernacle (Vs. 28). Moses again as a good leader while sensitive to Joshua’s devotion to him reminded the emerging leader that it was God’ agenda that was paramount (Vs.29).
It was at this juncture that God decided to send provision to the people as He had heard their cry and their complaints (Vs.31). While the people enjoyed the meal of divine quail, God was yet angry with them for their complaining and sent a plague (Vs.33) It was at Kibroth-hattaavah that they buried those that died(Vs.35) God gave the people their desire but the price for complaining and lusting was both high and heavy.
Practical Application
By Charlene Brown
In today’s lesson it begins with Moses and the seventy appointed elders whom God chose to assist Moses and bear the burden of the people. Even though these men were anointed and appointed by God, Joshua didn’t want two of the elders who were prophesying to the people inside of the camp to be esteemed higher than Moses. We must be mindful to not let envy or even jealousy cause us to not honor the gifts and anointing on the lives of those whom God chooses to use for His kingdom. Let us pray for them, support them and highly esteem those whom God has hand selected.
We also see in the lesson an all familiar pattern of the relationship between God and His chosen people. While in the wilderness they complained about their desires of meat instead of manna as noted in last week’s lesson. They were often caught complaining to God, and in return God made provision for them time and time again, but this time their provision came with a plague that killed many of them.
We can learn a very wise lesson about God’s character from this encounter between God and the Israelites. God is true to His word, for God is not a man that He should lie, if He said it, we can believe it. God promised to make provision for them, and He did as promised. They learned that God will answer our prayers and grant unto us what we desire, even though He knows that too often we will regret what we ask for. God knows exactly what each of us need to fulfill our purpose and call, therefore we should trust that He will always provide for us as we obey Him.
