INTRODUCTION: Consider again the progression of the themes of the five books of Moses. Genesis deals with creation; Exodus with redemption; Leviticus with holiness; Numbers with wilderness wanderings; Deuteronomy with obedience to and the love of God. The order is important. Exodus pictures salvation and Leviticus pictures sanctification. What is the purpose of Numbers? It portrays the importance that various trials have in the growth of the believer. No Christian matures until he or she goes through serious trials and remains faithful to the Lord (Romans 5:3-5 [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
See All...; 1 Peter 1:6-7 [6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
See All...). Unfortunately, Numbers is mostly an illustration of what to avoid doing.

1. INTRODUCTION
1. The Turning Point of God’s People
1. God’s people have demonstrated obedience in the first ten chapters of the Book of Numbers.
2. Chapter eleven is the complete opposite and demonstrates the heart of all of God’s people, both then and now.
2. Division
1. The turning point at Taberah (Numbers 11:1-3 [1] 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. [2] And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. [3] And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
   See All...)
2. The lusting of the people (Numbers 11:4-9 [4] And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? [5] We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: [6] But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. [7] And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. [8] And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. [9] And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
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3. The complaint of Moses (Numbers 11:10-15 [10] Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. [11] And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? [12] Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? [13] Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. [14] I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. [15] And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
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4. God responds to complaints of His people (Numbers 11:16-23 [16] And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. [17] And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. [18] And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. [19] Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; [20] But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? [21] And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. [22] Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? [23] And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
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5. God’s Spirit rests on men (Numbers 11:24-30 [24] And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. [25] And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. [26] But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. [27] And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. [28] And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. [29] And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! [30] And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
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6. God demonstrates His power to provide (Numbers 11:31-35 [31] And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. [32] And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. [33] And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. [34] And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. [35] And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.
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2. THE TURNING POINT AT TABERAH (Numbers 11:1-3 [1] 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. [2] And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. [3] And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
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1. The Work of Complaining (Numbers 11:1And 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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1. Complaining unveils the heart.
1. The offended heart complains (John 6:56-61 [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. [59] These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. [60] Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? [61] When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
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2. The lustful heart complains (Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
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3. The words of murmuring identify an ungrateful heart (Matthew 12:34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
   See All...; Luke 6:45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
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2. Complaining hinders education (Isaiah 29:24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
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1. God sends us through trials so that we may learn.
2. Murmuring and complaining negates the lesson.
3. Complaining troubles the soul (Psalm 77:3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
   See All...).
1. Complaining adds to the burden of the soul.
2. Christ wants us to cast our burdens on Him.
4. Complaining breeds lies.
1. The people said their soul was dried away (Numbers 11:6But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
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2. The people said they had nothing to eat (Numbers 11:6But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
   See All...).
3. The Israelites said that Moses killed the people of the Lord (Numbers 16:41But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
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4. The Israelites said that God hated them (Deuteronomy 1:27And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
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5. Complaining is contagious.
1. In Numbers  11:4
   See All..., the mixt (mixed) multitude begins the trouble.
2. In Numbers 11:4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
   See All..., the children of Israel begin weeping.
3. By Numbers 11:11And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
   See All..., Moses joins the group of complainers.
6. Complaining displeases the Lord (Numbers 11:1And 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.
   See All...).
1. God plans the events in our life.
2. Complaining is a direct attack on Him.
2. The Complaining of the People (Numbers 11:1And 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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1. This is the first occurrence of the word “complained” or any form of the word “complain” in the scriptures.
2. It appears this incident is different from the incident found in Numbers 11: 4-33.
1. In this incident the Lord responds with fire, but in the next incident He responds with a plague.
2. The name of this place is called Taberah whereas the name of the place where the next incident occurs is called Kibroth-hattaavah.
3. If this is the case, we have no idea why the people were complaining.
3. The Displeasure of the Lord (Numbers 11:1And 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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1. The complaining of the people displeased the Lord.
2. The Lord heard it.
3. His anger was kindled.
4. The fire of the Lord burnt among them and consumed them that were in the uttermost part of the camp.
4. The Pleading of Moses (Numbers 11:2And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.
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1. The people cried unto Moses.
2. Moses prayed unto the Lord.
3. The fire was quenched.
5. The Naming of the Place (Numbers 11:3And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
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1. The place was named Taberah, meaning burning.
2. It was common to name places of disobedience (Exodus 17:7And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
   See All...; Numbers 11:34And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 9:22And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
   See All...).
3. We should mark and remember the places where we failed the Lord so that we will not fall into the same errors again.
3. THE LUSTING OF THE PEOPLE (Numbers 11:4-9 [4] And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? [5] We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: [6] But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. [7] And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. [8] And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. [9] And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
   See All...)
1. The Failure of the People of God (Numbers 11:4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
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1. Begins with the mixt (mixed) multitude
1. Egyptians or Egyptian-Israelite mixed people who followed Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
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2. A picture of false followers of God who still long for the things of the world (2 Timothy 3:1-7 [1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
   See All...; 1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
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2. They “fell a lusting” (James 1:13-16 [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. [16] Do not err, my beloved brethren.
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3. The children of Israel are affected.
4. They cry for flesh to eat (Psalm 78:18And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
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2. Marred Memories of God’s People (Numbers 11:5We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
   See All...; Psalm 106:13-14 [13] They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: [14] But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
   See All...; Ecclesiastes 7:10Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
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1. They remembered the fancy foods (6 items).
2. They forgot the heavy burdens (Exodus 1:11-14 [11] Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. [12] But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. [13] And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: [14] And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
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3. They forgot their cry for deliverance (Exodus 2:23-25 [23] And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. [24] And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. [25] And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
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4. They forgot deliverance from the Egyptians (Exodus 14:29-31 [29] But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. [30] Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. [31] And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
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3. The Manna from God (Numbers 11:6-9 [6] But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. [7] And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. [8] And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. [9] And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
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1. What was it?
1. It was as coriander seed (Numbers 11:7And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.
   See All...; Exodus 16:31And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
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2. The color as the color of bdellium (Numbers 11:7And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.
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3. It was a small round thing (Exodus 16:14And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.
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4. The taste as the taste of fresh oil or as wafers made with honey (Numbers 11:8And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
   See All...; Exodus 16:31And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
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2. How to prepare it (Numbers 11:8And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
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1. Ground it in mills
2. Beat it in a mortar
3. Baked it in pans
4. Made cakes of it
3. Its uniqueness
1. A layer of dew was provided for it to rest upon (Numbers 11:9And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
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2. It is called “angel’s food” (Psalm 78:25Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
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3. It is called the “corn of heaven” (Psalm 78:24And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
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4. Manna ceased when they could eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan (Joshua 5:12And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
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4. THE COMPLAINT OF MOSES (Numbers 11:10-15 [10] Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. [11] And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? [12] Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? [13] Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. [14] I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. [15] And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
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1. He Complains of the Burden of the People (Numbers 11:11-12 [11] And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? [12] Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?
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2. He Complains of the Burden of Their Provision (Numbers 11:13Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
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1. Where am I going to get this flesh to feed them?
2. They are weeping unto me.
3. He Complains of the Pressures of His Burden (Numbers 11:14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
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1. I am not able to bear this people alone.
2. It is too heavy.
4. He Complains of the Burden of His Own Wretchedness (Numbers 11:15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
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1. Kill me, if I have found favor in thy sight.
2. He would rather die than face the troubles he has with the people of God.
5. Moses is the Key to the Coming Judgment.
1. The people are at fault here just as they were in Numbers 11:1-3 [1] 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. [2] And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. [3] And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
   See All....
2. Moses interceded for the people in Numbers 11:1-3 [1] 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. [2] And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. [3] And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
   See All... and the judgment was minimal.
3. Moses joins in the complaining here and the people were smote with a “very great plague.”
5. GOD RESPONDS TO THE COMPLAINTS OF THE PEOPLE (Numbers 11:16-23 [16] And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. [17] And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. [18] And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. [19] Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; [20] But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? [21] And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. [22] Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? [23] And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
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1. Seventy Elders for Moses (Numbers 11:16-17 [16] And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. [17] And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
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1. Moses to choose them from the elders of the people (Numbers 11:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
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2. God to put His spirit upon them (Numbers 11:17And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
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3. The elders to help Moses bear the burden of the people (Numbers 11:17And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
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2. Flesh to Eat for the People (Numbers 11:18-20 [18] And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. [19] Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; [20] But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
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1. God to give them flesh for a month (Numbers 11:18-20 [18] And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. [19] Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; [20] But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
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2. Until it be loathsome to them (Numbers 11:20But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
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3. Moses Doubts the Sufficiency of the Lord (Numbers 11:21-23 [21] And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. [22] Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? [23] And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
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1. Moses questions the availability of the flesh (Numbers 11:21-22 [21] And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. [22] Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?
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1. The people are too many (Numbers 11:21And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
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2. The herds are insufficient (Numbers 11:22Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?
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3. Moses thinks he has to come up with the solution and does not trust in the provision of God.
6. GOD’S SPIRIT RESTS ON MEN (Numbers 11:24-30 [24] And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. [25] And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. [26] But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. [27] And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. [28] And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. [29] And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! [30] And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
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1. The Elders Are Gathered (Numbers 11:24And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.
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2. God Empowers the Elders (Numbers 11:25And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
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1. The cloud comes down.
2. God’s spirit comes upon them.
3. The elders prophesy.
3. Two Remained in the Camp (Numbers 11:26-30 [26] But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. [27] And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. [28] And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. [29] And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! [30] And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
   See All...; Luke 9:49-50 [49] And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. [50] And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
   See All...; Philippians 1:14-18 [14] And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? [15] They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. [16] Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. [17] Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
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1. Eldad and Medad prophesy.
2. Joshua asks Moses to forbid them.
3. Moses calms Joshua.
7. GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS POWER TO PROVIDE (Numbers 11:31-35 [31] And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. [32] And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. [33] And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. [34] And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. [35] And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.
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1. The Wind Brings Quails from the Sea (Numbers 11:31And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
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1. They fell by the camp.
2. A day’s journey on each side
3. Two cubits (3 ft.) high upon the face of the earth
2. The People Gather Them (Numbers 11:32And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
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1. All that day, all that night and all the next day
2. He that gathered least gathered ten homers.
3. They spread them abroad for themselves round about the camp.
3. The Judgment of God Falls (Numbers 11:33-34 [33] And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. [34] And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.
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1. While it was between their teeth
2. Ere it was chewed
3. God’s wrath was kindled against them.
4. The Lord smote them with a plague (Psalm 78:24-32 [24] And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. [25] Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full. [26] He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. [27] He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: [28] And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. [29] So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; [30] They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, [31] The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. [32] For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
   See All...; Psalm 106:13-15 [13] They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: [14] But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. [15] And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
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5. They named the place Kibroth-hattaavah meaning the graves of lust.
4. The People Journey to Hazeroth (Numbers 11:35And the people journeyed from Kibrothhattaavah unto Hazeroth; and abode at Hazeroth.
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CONCLUSION: This lesson is a sum of the Christian life. We find ourselves striving to obey the words of God, and in so doing we find a wealth of blessings from Him. Yet our old nature manifests itself and the blessings of God turn into His chastisement. Oh that we could serve Him in complete obedience at all times.