book of Numbers Archives - God Cherishes You

How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 26

Numbers (cont.)

7.Resistance and death:

As we saw, the Israelites are encamped at Kadesh, where they first began their wanderings in the wilderness. They were at the border of a nation called ‘Edom’ whose descendants were rooted in Esau, Jacob’s brother.

Moses wanted to take the people through Edom, as it would greatly reduce their travel time.

He appealed to their king, stating that they would stay on the ‘king’s road’ and not infringe upon their natural resources. The king refused, and even met them with his army to thwart their passage.

Thus, the Israelites were forced to take a longer journey. Their first stop was a Mount Hor, (location unknown). God speaks to Moses and Aaron (See Nu.20:14 – 22.):

“Aaron will be gathered to his people [in death]; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you [both] rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up to Mount Hor; and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. So Aaron will be gathered to his fathers, and will die there.” Nu. 20:24 – 26. AMP

And it was so. Aaron died at the age of 123; and the people mourned for 30 days.

8.Victories for the second generation of the Israelites and another fit of grumbling:

When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev (the South country) heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim [the route traveled by the spies sent out by Moses], he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. So Israel made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed hand over these people to me, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” The Lord heard the voice of Israel and handed over the Canaanites; then they destroyed them and their cities. Nu. 21:1 – 3. AMP

Immediately after this victory, they set out to journey around the Red Sea, because of Edom’s refusal of passage. The people grumbled once more about the conditions they saw themselves in:

“Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!” Nu. 21:5 NLT

Haven’t these people learned their lesson? God sends poisonous snakes that kill many people. The rest of them confess their sin to Moses who prays for their deliverance. Our merciful Creator tells Moses to make a bronze snake and attach it to a pole. Those who looked at it, if bitten, were healed. (See Nu. 21:6 – 9.)

The Israelites pressed on towards Moab. Moses sent ambassadors to King Sihon of the Amorites, asking for safe passage through their land. The king refused. Instead, he roused his army and attacked them, but the Israelites slaughtered that army and occupied all the towns, including the city of Heshbon (located in modern-day Jordan). (See Nu. 21:21 – 32.)

Then the people marched on to Bashan (east of the Sea of Galilee). There, they were attacked by King Og of the same region, but Jehovah encourages Moses:

“Do not fear him, for I have handed him over to you along with his whole army and his land. Do to him as you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” So they struck him, his sons, and his whole army until no one was left, and they took possession of his land. Nu. 34, 35. CSB

9.Balaam and Balak

The Israelites made camp on the plains of Moab, preparing to do battle, to conquer Canaan. King Balak of Moab, who had been conquered by the Israelites, but was able to re-take it, was still concerned about the presence of God’s children. So, he sent men to hire the prophet Balaam to ‘curse’ Israel.

Balaam is an interesting character. He had a relationship with God, but he also practiced ‘divination’, which is proscribed by Mosaic Law. When he was approached by Balak’s men, he sought God’s counsel and He replied:

“Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people [of Israel], for they are blessed.” Nu. 22:12 AMP

Balaam sent Balak’s men away. However, Balak sent even more men with a promise of a great reward. Again, Balaam sought Jehovah’s counsel:

“Since these men have come for you, get up and go with them. But do only what I tell you to do.” Nu. 22:20 NLT

Then, God gets angry because Balaam was going, even though He gave him permission to do so. (Some biblical scholars contend that it was because Balaam still thought he could curse Israel and get that great reward.)

Balaam rode a donkey towards Balak but Jehovah intervenes:

Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.

Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.

“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!” Nu. 22:23 – 29. NLT

Then the angel of the LORD appeared before Balaam and asked him why he beat his donkey. He told Balaam that He had come to block his way because he was resisting Him. Balaam said he would return home, but the angel of the LORD instead told him to go, but to only say what He tells him to say. (See Nu. 22:32 – 35.)

Balaam meets with Balak and says:

“Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.” Nu. 22:38 NLT

Balaam then went to consult Jehovah and returned to King Balak and rendered the LORD’s message:

“Balak summoned me to come from Aram; the king of Moab brought me from the eastern hills. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me! Come and announce Israel’s doom.’
But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned? I see them from the cliff tops; I watch them from the hills.
I see a people who live by themselves, set apart from other nations.Who can count Jacob’s descendants, as numerous as dust? Who can count even a fourth of Israel’s people? Let me die like the righteous; let my life end like theirs.” Nu. 23:7 – 10. NLT

Instead of cursing them, Balaam blesses them! Balak is beside himself and takes Balaam to a different viewing point. Balaam again convenes with God, and delivers his second message:

“Rise up, Balak, and listen! Hear me, son of Zippor. God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it! No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the Lord their God is with them; he has been proclaimed their king. God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. No curse can touch Jacob; no magic has any power against Israel. For now it will be said of Jacob, ‘What wonders God has done for Israel!’ These people rise up like a lioness, like a majestic lion rousing itself. They refuse to rest until they have feasted on prey, drinking the blood of the slaughtered!” Nu. 23:18 – 24. NLT

King Balak takes Balaam to yet another vantage point, thinking he will be able to curse the Israelites from there. That is not how it goes:

By now Balaam realized that the Lord was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before. Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness, where he saw the people of Israel camped, tribe by tribe. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and this is the message he delivered:

“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in pieces, shooting them with arrows. Like a lion, Israel crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to arouse her? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” Nu. 24:1 – 9. NLT

Christian biblical scholars see this reference to a ‘king greater than Agag, and a kingdom who will be exalted’ as a messianic prophecy.

King Balak is enraged, screaming at Balaam for blessing Israel three times instead of cursing them. He tells Balaam to get out of his sight, telling him that he will not receive any reward. Balaam responds to the king:

“Don’t you remember what I told your messengers? I said, ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord.’ Nu. 24:12, 13. NLT

“…let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future.”

“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. It will crush the heads of Moab’s people, cracking the skulls of the people of Sheth. Edom will be taken over, and Seir, its enemy, will be conquered, while Israel marches on in triumph. A ruler will rise in Jacob who will destroy the survivors of Ir.”

Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message: “Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction!” Then he looked over toward the Kenites and delivered this message: “Your home is secure; your nest is set in the rocks. But the Kenites will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive.”

Balaam concluded his messages by saying: “Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it? Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will oppress Assyria and afflict Eber, but they, too, will be utterly destroyed.” Nu. 24:15 – 24. NLT

This prophecy too, is Messianic in nature, of a future star / scepter, that delivers Israel from all its enemies.

10.Falling into sin again:

Israel settled and remained in Shittim, and the people began to play the prostitute with the women of Moab [by being unfaithful to God]. For they invited the Israelites to the sacrifices of their gods, and the Israelites ate [food offered to idols] and bowed down to Moab’s gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor [in worship]. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people [who have committed sin with the Moabites], and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” Nu. 25:1 – 4. AMP

God brought a plague upon the people:

…those [Israelites] who died in the plague numbered 24,000. Nu. 25:9 AMP

At this point in time, Moses, Joshua, and Caleb are the only survivors of the first generation of the Israelites. All the rest are dead.

A second census is taken as a measure to organize the military for the invasion of Canaan. It was also used to divide Canaan into lots of land for each tribe. (See Nu. 26:1 – 65.)

Joshua was chosen as the Israelite’s new leader, replacing Moses, who could not enter the Promised Land because he had disobeyed God’s instructions earlier when he struck the rock to make water come out, and for taking the credit for doing so.

God, through Moses, again, this time for the second generation, gives instructions for the daily offerings to Him, about the Passover, the Feasts, and the proper use of vows. (See Nu. 28:1 – 30:16.)

Before they were to cross the Jordan River, they first conquered the Midianite nation in the ‘Transjordan’ region. After that, the tribes of Reuben and Gad asked Moses if they could claim the land for their homes because it was ideal for their large flocks of animals. The other tribes were upset, but they mollified them by agreeing to send their own fighting men to complete the settlement of Canaan. (See Nu. 31:1 – 32:42.)

Jehovah tells Moses the borders of their new nation, and more about dividing it for the tribes. Forty-eight cities are allotted to the Levites, six of which, are designated as ‘cities of refuge’ – places where unintentional murderers could flee to, to stand trial.

Stay tuned for the final book of the Torah: Deuteronomy – Moses’ last stand.

Goodnight and God Bless.

How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 25

In the 24^th part of this series, we left off with Moses sending spies into the Promised Land to bring back a report to the Israelites about the condition of the land of Canaan.

4. A bad report

The men set out for 40 days, observing all aspects of the land of Canaan. They brought back grapes, pomegranates, and figs to show the Israelites that the Promised Land was fertile. However, in their report, ten of the spies said this:

“We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. But the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified (walled) and very large; moreover, we saw there the descendants of Anak [people of great stature and courage]. [The people descended from] Amalek who live in the land of the Negev (South country); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the [Dead] Sea and along the side of the Jordan.” Nu. 13:25 – 29. AMP

These spies are trying to generate fear in the Israelites. But one spy, Caleb, had a much greater faith in his God:

Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!” Nu. 13:30 CSB

The ten other spies refute this:

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.”So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we went, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Nu. 13:31 – 33. AMP

So, the ten spies keep lying, saying that Nephilim were in the land. But this ancient race was wiped out in the great flood. They were exaggerating so that the people would not enter the Promised Land.

The Israelites are distraught, complaining and saying that it would have been better if they died in Egypt or in the wilderness. They even called for a leader other than Moses to take them back to Egypt. (See Nu. 14:1 – 4.)

Moses and Aaron prostrate themselves before the people, humiliating themselves to entreat them to change their minds. This moves Caleb and the only other spy that denies what the ten are saying, named Joshua, to counter their lies:

“The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” Nu. 14:7 – 9. NLT

How do the people react? They want to stone Caleb and Joshua to death. This does not set well with Jehovah, who says to Moses:

“How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!” Nu. 14:11, 12. NLT

I’d say God was a bit hot, and He doesn’t brook disobedience. You must hand it to Moses though. He usually intercedes for the people, but does so in a way that honors Jehovah:

“What will the Egyptians think when they hear about it?” he asked the Lord. “They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing your people from Egypt. Now if you destroy them, the Egyptians will send a report to the inhabitants of this land, who have already heard that you live among your people. They know, Lord, that you have appeared to your people face to face and that your pillar of cloud hovers over them. They know that you go before them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Now if you slaughter all these people with a single blow, the nations that have heard of your fame will say, The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he swore to give them, so he killed them in the wilderness.’” Nu. 14:13 – 16. NLT

So, Moses appealed to God’s glory. Now, he presses for mercy:

“Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion’…In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” Nu. 14:17 – 19. NLT

5. Denying the Promised Land to the first generation

God relents from smiting the people. However, the Israelites have pushed Him too far. He ultimately lays a death sentence upon them:

“I will pardon them as you have requested. But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the Lord’s glory,not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land. Now turn around, and don’t go on toward the land where the Amalekites and Canaanites live. Tomorrow you must set out for the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea.” Nu. 14:20 – 25. NLT

None of the adults who rebelled against Jehovah would be allowed to enter the Promised Land. And He is commanding them to change their direction of travel, to go in the opposite way to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, whereupon they will die of old age, but their children would be allowed into Canaan:

^“Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

‘You said your children would be carried off as plunder. Well, I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised.” Nu. 14:28 – 31. NLT

Then, God strikes the ten spies with a plague that kills them.

Unfazed, the Israelites push ahead towards Canaan, despite Moses’ warning not to do so. Subsequently, Jehovah lifts His protection, and the Canaanites attacked them and chased them away.

Still, others rebelled. Two hundred Levites wanted to remove Moses and Aaron from their status of leadership. God opened the ground, and it swallowed up the rebels. Those who supported the Levites were hit with a divine plague, and 14,700 people died. (See Nu. Ch. 16)

Jehovah then re-establishes the office of High Priest in front of the people. (See Nu. Ch. 17)

Then the Israelites, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month [in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt]. And the people lived in Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there. Nu. 20:1 AMP

We see then that the 40-year wandering in the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, is ending, at the very place they started that trek.

Just like in the beginning of the wandering, the Israelites (first generation), complain about there being no water – grumbling again about how horrible their situation is, compared to how their life was in Egypt.

Moses and Aaron immediately go to the Tabernacle and fall prostrate in prayer. God replies to them:

“You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” Nu. 20:8 NLT

How well did they obey His commands?

So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand [in anger] and with his rod he struck the rock twice [instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord had commanded]. And the water poured out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank [fresh water]. Nu. 20:9 – 11. AMP

Jehovah expects exactitude in obedience to His instructions. Moses and Aaron reap the consequences of their transgression:

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” Nu. 20:12 NLT

This will not bode well for either of them…

Stay tuned for what happens next.

Goodnight and God bless.

How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 24

Numbers

Introduction:

In the Hebrew, the book of Numbers is titled Bemidbar, meaning ‘in the wilderness’. The English title ‘Numbers’ is derived from the Greek Septuagint Arithmoi, which means the same.

It deals primarily with the Israelites’ journey away from Mount Sinai to the banks of the Jordan River. Moses was Spirit-filled to write the book in 1405 BC. It also offers a comparative contrast between the first and second generations of Israelites during that trek.

Taking a census:

One month after the anointing of the tabernacle, God tells Moses to take a census of 11 of the 12 tribes of Israel, to count all males over 20 years old, to prepare them for the conquest of Canaan [the tribe of Levi was not counted in the census because their duties were delegated to the tabernacle. (See Num. 1:47 – 53.)] And the census indicated that there were 603,550 men able to do battle. (See Num. 1:1 – 46.)

Next, each of the 11 tribes took up strategic camp formations around the tabernacle to protect it. (See Num. Ch.2)

Each member of the tribe of Levi was delegated their specific duties as assistants to Aaron and his sons. Each was to perform his duties from 30 – 50 years of age. (See Num. Ch. 3 & 4.)

God shifts His focus in His instructions to Moses, by emphasizing that because He is now living amid the Israelites, no one ‘unclean’ could stay in the camp. They must stay outside of it until they have been made clean again. Jehovah also speaks about marital purity and what ritual must be performed to illuminate any transgression in that area. (See Num. Ch. 5)

We are then privy, through Moses, to see how Aaron (the High Priest), was to speak a blessing over the Israelites:

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:

The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor],
And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness];
The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval],
And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’

So Aaron and his sons shall put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Nu. 6:22 – 27. AMP

This would be a great time to consider the nature of ‘blessings.’ We’ve seen God’s first blessing on Adam and Eve immediately after He created them.[1] Also in the Abrahamic covenant.[2] We have also seen Jacob steal his brother Esau’s blessing.[3]

English dictionaries define a ‘blessing’ as a ‘special favor from God – promoting or contributing to happiness, well-being, or prosperity, or to favor with talent’.

Since Adam and Eve were blessed, all their descendants were blessed as well, with the entire world, to nurture us. It was Abraham’s obedience to God’s commandments, through his faith in Jehovah, that procured his blessing, whereas he, became a blessing to all peoples.[4]

This same blessing was facilitated and perpetuated through Christ:

Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith. Ga. 3:13, 14. AMP

Blessings also come upon us when we stand up for Jesus:

If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify]. 1 Pt. 4:14 AMP

We can even be a source of blessing to God, through our praise and worship:

Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. Ps. 100:4 AMP

Returning to Numbers, and pointing out its great importance, God once again discusses the celebration of Passover. (See Nu. 9:1 – 14.)

Leaving Mount Sinai:

Remember after the tabernacle’s construction was finished, and it was consecrated, and how God’s Shekinah glory filled it? Well, this glory, this ‘cloud’ takes on a transformation for the new journey towards Canaan:

On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses. Nu. 9:15 – 23. NLT

In the second year after Israel’s departure from Egypt—on the twentieth day of the second month—the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle of the Covenant. So the Israelites set out from the wilderness of Sinai and traveled on from place to place until the cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran.

…the people set out for the first time, following the instructions the Lord had given through Moses… Nu. 10:11 – 13. NLT

So they set out from the mountain of the Lord (Sinai) three days’ journey; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went in front of them during the three days’ journey to seek out a resting place for them. The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered; and let those who hate You flee before You.” And when the ark rested, Moses said, “Return, O Lord, to the myriad (many) thousands of Israel.” Nu. 10:33 – 36. AMP

Rebellion:

After the golden calf incident, up until and through the first three days of the Israelites’ journey away from Mount Sinai, the people did everything that God told them to do, through Moses, to keep a holy relationship with their holy Creator.

Now, just as they did after their liberation from the Egyptians, the Israelites begin to grumble over their conditions during this new journey to the Promised Land – again, losing faith in God’s ability to provide:

Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped. Nu. 11:1, 2. NLT

Remember that when the Israelites began their exodus to Mount Sinai, many ‘foreigners’ who were oppressed in Egypt, left along with them. Some of these same people complained as well, even after this ‘fire’ expressed from Jehovah’s anger manifested at the people’s moaning against His benevolence:

Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!” Nu. 11:4 – 6. NLT

Recall that God has been providing manna (a bread from heaven), to all the people since they first set out towards Mt. Sinai[5], and is still doing so nightly, including providing quail as well.

Moses hears all this whining. Jehovah becomes extremely angry. Moses too. He too complains to God, but it is about how he feels that he is being treated harshly. He rails on about his inability to carry the burden of the people, and how his load is too heavy. (See Nu. 11 – 15.)

God responds:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle^[a] to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.” Nu. 11:16, 17. NLT

However, God sends a message to the people through Moses, which clearly expresses His ire:

“And say to the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow you will have meat to eat. You were whining, and the Lord heard you when you cried, “Oh, for some meat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will have to eat it. And it won’t be for just a day or two, or for five or ten or even twenty. You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and you have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’” Nu. 11:18 – 20. NLT

The people gorged themselves, and during their gluttony, Jehovah sent a severe plague and many of these gluttons died.

Afterwards, they made their second camp after leaving Mt. Sinai in a place called Hazeroth (unidentified on a modern map).

Aaron and Miriam (Moses and Aaron’s sister) grew angry at Moses because he married a ‘Cushite’ woman.

Cush was one of Noah’s grandsons. The land of the same name is associated with Ethiopia. Taking issue with Moses, his brother and sister complain:

They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)

So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say:

“If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is.
So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” Nu. 12:2 – 8. NLT

To say that Jehovah was angry with Aaron and Miriam is a vast understatement. Moses is clearly favored by Him. In response, God moved His cloud from the tabernacle. When He did so, Miriam was covered with leprosy. Aaron cries out to Moses, who cries out to God and begs Him to heal her. Jehovah relents by telling them to put her outside of the camp for seven days until she becomes ceremonially clean.

Spying out the Promised Land:

The people make a new camp in the wilderness of Paran. God gives Moses a new command:

The Lord now said to Moses,“Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. Nu. 13:1 – 3. NLT

Moses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: “Go north through the Negev into the hill country. See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps? Is the soil fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see.” Nu. 13:17 NLT

What did they find? Next time. I will tease you be saying that the outcome will be a climactic one for the first generation of the Israelite exodus…