Messages

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. NIV 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.  10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

“God is most glorified in our life when we are most satisfied in him.” John Piper

Complaints arise from our sinful nature. Complaining and strife robs us of God’s blessing and grace. Complaining comes from different sources. We will browse through the camps where Israel grumbled and pick up some memorial lessons in worship.

 

Taberah(blaze):  Num 11:1-3;

A complaining and murmuring people displease God.

Israelites are just three days into wilderness journey, they started complaining about the hardships in the wilderness. 

They seemed to have forgotten that they were on the way to the promised land and had been saved from the worst situation of 400 years of slavery in Egypt. 11:1;

Their sin that angered the lord was probably ingratitude. He disciplined them by sending a fire to burn the camp. Remember comparison and self-pity will result in ingratitude. (I deserve more). And invites the fire of God’s wrath.

 

Vs.2 the people cried to Moses not to the Lord. Moses interceded for them. 

Vs.3 our God is a consuming fire. Heb 10:26, 27

              If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Heb 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

 

Kibroth Hattaavah: (Graves of the craving) Numbers 11:4-15; 30-35

Israel had the best provision, protection, guidance, leadership and everything.

But they valued God.

When we have everything in life we don’t value anything.

Then suddenly one day our banquets will end up in mass funeral.

Daily manna is sufficient and efficient for our lives in the wilderness. 

Our craving for the natural kills us spiritually and physically. 

Manna refers to daily dependence and trust in the Lord. 

People got tired of the monotonous manna and Moses got tired of the same people. And finally, God got rid of them.

Their craving for the food made them ungrateful. They forgot all what God had provided for them uniquely and freely in the desert journey was expression of God’s unique love and choice. Ultimately, when God gave them what they wanted, they abused God’s blessing and resulted in their own deaths.

Num 11:23

The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

Phil 4:6 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Ps 106:14-15

In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test. 15 So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them.

 

Ps 106:14-15(MSG)

They only cared about pleasing themselves in that desert, provoked God with their insistent demands.  15 He gave them exactly what they asked for - but along with it they got an empty heart.

 

1 Cor 11:31-32

But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

 

Num 11:4; the bad example of the rabble.

Num 11:10; Sin is contagious. 

Memory is selective. 

Diet became the main thing.

Satisfaction in God is attractive. Phil 4:10-13

1 Tim 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

 

Haze Roth (fenced enclosures). Num 12

In this camp, pride and prejudice was dealt with. Pride and prejudice was manifested in racial discrimination, envy, and seniority issues. God had mightily used Miriam and Aaron in unique ways. Miriam was the first prophet cum worship leader of Israel. Ex 15:20; Aaron was the first high priest of Israel. God spoke to Aaron also. Ex 14:14-16; Miriam was six years older to Moses. Aaron was 3 years older to Moses. Miriam initiated the grumbling along with Aaron and complained about their younger brother Moses’s choice of a wife. They also envied their younger brother’s ministry and fame. Although it was done in private God heard it. 

Don’t touch the untouchable. Don’t attempt to touch what is kept inside the fenced enclosures. God says, Moses is different. To normal prophets God speaks through visions and dreams, but God speaks face to face with Moses. When pride and prejudice dwell in our hearts we will become unclean like Miriam. And will be isolated from God’s community. 

James 4:11

11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

James 5:9

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Isaiah 57:15

For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.