The golden lamps are finished (Numbers 8:1-4). The Levites are cleansed (Numbers 8:5-22). The Passover is celebrated (Numbers 9:1-14). And the glory of the LORD—that is: the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night—was with them (Numbers 9:15-23). All that’s left to do is make the silver signal trumpets, by which this immense mass of humanity can move about in an organized fashion (Numbers 10:1-10).
And they’re off! Following the Ark of the Covenant, heading for the Promised Land, Moses in charge; what could go wrong?
People!
They complained. God heard them. And fire consumed some of them.
They kept complaining, “O that we had some meat to eat! All we get is manna, manna, manna! Send us back to Egypt for some fish, leeks, onions and garlic!”
Then Moses starts complaining, too. (At least he complains to God!) “Why have you burdened me with these people? Where am I to get meat for them? I just can’t do this anymore; it’s too much for me!” Ever feel like that?
God’s response is interesting and instructive. He tells Moses to gather 70 elders of the people to stand with him as God speaks to them. God says, “I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them!” (Numbers 11:17) And as God does this, they prophesy (Numbers 11:25). When the Spirit causes a couple of others in the camp to prophesy, Joshua says, “Stop them;” but Moses says, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit on all of them!” (Numbers 11:29) And so, Moses himself wished for and prophesied the day of Pentecost!
The people got their meat, but it made them sick. And before you know it, the complaining begins again. This time, it is none other than Moses’ brother and sister!
MORAL: The Holy Spirit is our only hope in dealing with difficult people. May the Spirit fall on us all!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
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