Numbers 10 - 12

Moving, Complaining
As people are wont to do, once they are comfortable and in a routine, despite their best intentions, they become resistant to change.  This is true of the children of Israel.  They had been free from Egypt for one year. Moses had become their undeniable leader and had established the Law, the Tabernacle, the Tribes, Formal Worship, and the Pillar of Fire/Cloud of God had settled over the Tabernacle.  Everything was good, but the people were making no effort, or showing no desire to move to the Promised Land.

Then the Cloud lifts from the Tabernacle (10:11) and they begin their journey.  Everything started off well - all the Tribes in order and doing their assigned duties.  The Ark covered by the Cloud was leading the way. But, only three days into the journey the complaints began.  They were tired of the manna, they wanted meat, they were tired of walking, etc.  The Lord afflicts them with fire, yet still they whine.

In 11:10 to 23, there is an argument/discussion between Moses and the Lord that amazes me every time I read it.  Moses sounds angry, almost arrogant, questioning God about why he is so burdened with the cares of the people. Moses complains about the people complaining!  He is so exasperated he asks the Lord to strike him dead (11:15). Clearly, Moses is not happy with the situation.  The Lord's response is equally surprising.  He comforts Moses. He provides a way for Moses' burden to be eased by imparting His spirit to 70 men.  He even tells Moses that the Lord is going to provide so much meat to the whining people, they will become sick of it.

Then the complaining becomes personal.  Aaron and Miriam complain about Moses, stating that they can be used of God too.  This complaint has bothered me for many years, because the excuse they give (that Moses married a Cushite woman) seems anachronistic.  Moses had been married for many years.  Aaron was a priest and Moses' right-hand man.  The Lord had elevated Aaron to an elite position and allowed only him and the other priest to enter the Holy of Holies.  Yet Aaron complained.  Miriam was Moses' sister - why would she be concerned about Moses' wife after so many years?  I think there is more to the story and suspect jealousy was the motivating spirit.

In 12:3 there is an outstanding scripture, "Now Moses was very humble - more humble than any other person on earth."  This is shocking considering the complaints Moses voice in the previous chapter!  Either way, the complaints of Aaron and Miriam exemplify and prophesy the trouble the children of Israel were in for as they continued their journey to the Promise Land.  Miriam is stricken with severe leprosy from head to toe and had to remain outside the camp for seven days.  Little did she and Aaron and the complainers realize that they would soon encounter the most critical juncture of their journey.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.