Learning to Follow God, Numbers 11

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

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Learning to Follow God

These are strange times we are living in. There are literally young people who support themselves by being “influencers.” They make YouTube videos of everything they do. They advertise the clothes they wear, the products they use, the places they go, all with the purpose of creating other people like themselves. They get paid by the number of people who watch and follow them on YouTube as well as receiving kickbacks for the products they advertise. They are typically very worldly and very materialistic. Their whole self esteem comes from the idea that they are influencing others, which I am sure, makes them feel important.

As the nation of Israel learns to follow God, they need to learn how not to be influenced by others and how to be positive influencers for God.

For our text today, I am reading this account from Psalm 78:14-32, which was written by a later generation, looking back at the events of their journey.

Psalm 78:14–32 NIV

14 He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. 15 He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; 16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. 17 But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. 18 They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? 20 True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?” 21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, 22 for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. 23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; 24 he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. 25 Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat. 26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow. 27 He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore. 28 He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents. 29 They ate till they were gorged— he had given them what they craved. 30 But before they turned from what they craved, even while the food was still in their mouths, 31 God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel. 32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

Father, please bless this Word which you have provided and which we now receive. Amen!

I. Influenced or Influencer? Numbers 11

Sin breeds discontentment. Discontentment comes when we are unable to control and produce what WE desire. Sin began when Satan decided that He could be like God. He didn’t want to obey God, instead, he wanted to call the shots. He wanted to make choices for himself and lead others in the choices they should make. He used his good looks and his charm to gain popularity. He stroked their egos, and slowly influenced them to distrust God as well. In time, he led a full out rebellion against God. Fortunately, he, along with all those he influenced, failed in their attempt to seize control of the heavenly realm of God.

When Satan didn’t get his way in heaven, he turned to influencing people on earth. Unfortunately, they listened to him, providing him with an opportunity to influence them. He posited a question, “What is God denying you? Is God really seeing to your best interest?” He placed doubt in their minds about God, and left them with the impression they may be best advised by taking their own lead.

Have we done any less? When someone leads in a way that is different from what we think should happen, do we trust them to lead or do we challenge them? Do we challenge people directly, or do we complain to others behind their back? When we complain to others, it is our hope that they will agree with us. We essentially are trying to influence them to our way of thinking. We are trying to validate our desire, our will. We have all done it, even if we are not aware of it. It is part of our sin nature. However, when we do this, we are also ignoring God’s will. Ultimately, everything is in God’s control, even the negative things. I am not saying God causes these bad things, but I am saying that God can stop them if He so chooses. This is hard for us to understand. Why does God allow bad things to happen? Well, that is another whole sermon, but I will say this for now. It is not for us to say why, but it is for us to trust that God has an end goal and He does not need our approval to make it happen. He is after all, God!

However, bad things are not the only things we complain about. In fact, it seems when things are going well, we can get bored and make mountains out of mole hills. This is where we find Israel next.

Israel was doing good at the foot of Sinai as they prepared for their trip, but the moment things got a little uncomfortable, they began to complain. Unfortunately, grumbling spreads like a virus. When we listen to someone’s complaints, we often find our own sense of satisfaction stroked into feelings of dissatisfaction. Instead of putting out the fire, we too often add fuel to it!

With this in mind, lets jump into these events and we find that the people are...

A. Not Hungry, Just Dissatisfied! Numbers 11:1-9

Numbers 11:1–6 NIV

1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. 3 So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the Lord had burned among them. 4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

The new nation of Israel has been moving along for three days. God now stops giving them a break from the traveling. He is providing them time to rest and restore before moving on. Unfortunately, when people have too much time on their hands without much else to do, they get bored and complaining tends to set in.

Even though God was visible to them in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, they seem to forget that He has ears to hear them. They begin mumbling and complaining. We are not sure exactly what the complaints were. Maybe about the long days, or the length of time it will take them to get to their destination. Eventually, the complaints move to the food which God has so graciously provided for them. God heard them and He was not happy.

Notice where this complaining began. Look at Numbers 11:4.

Numbers 11:4 NIV

4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat!

Who were the “rabble?” Those who have tagged along. Some of these were probably Egyptians that fled Egypt for fear of what might come next.

Now think for a moment, when you have a family or group of people well associated with each other, then others tag along, where do the taggers camp? Not in the center! They hang about on the outskirts unless they have married into the family.

Now, where did the fire begin? Numbers 11:1

Numbers 11:1 NIV

On the outskirts of the camp. What does that say to you? That is probably where the complaining began but it grew to include the whole camp. When the people cried in fear, who did they call? Moses! They did not fall to their knees and repent, instead they wined to Moses. However, Moses knew the right thing to do. He went right to the source, which was God, and God listened and stopped the fire. Now, this place is then named “Taberah” which means burning. The name of this place will always remind them of their sin and the consequences of their sin.

Now this “rabble” as they are referred to, are dependent on Israel and the God of Israel for their meals and they begin to complain about the lack of meat. Perhaps they are eyeing the flocks that are with them, however, there are not nearly enough to feed everyone, plus they will need these flocks when they get to the Promised Land. They do not want to waste them feeding this rabble, but as they begin to think about the rabble’s complaint for meat, they too, begin to remember the variety that they had to eat in Egypt.

There is one thing the Egyptians did well and that is they fed their slaves well. They understood that well fed slaves produced more work. Of course, Israel had gone a bit hungry toward the end when Pharaoh reduced their rations in his anger against Moses and the God of Israel. Otherwise, Israel had eaten well as slaves.

So, where did Israel go wrong in this situation?

1. They listened to the wrong people.

Instead of listening and following their God and their leader Moses, they listened to the “rabble” around them. In every situation, there are people who are dissatisfied with what is going on for one reason or another. Too often we listen to these people. We think we are being courteous by listening, but all we do is encourage them. We should not listen but direct them to take their complaints to the authority. God is always the first authority, but if it is someone who is not a Christian, they need to take it to the person in authority. If it is at work, that would be their supervisor. If it is at church, the pastor. If it is at a store, the department or the store manager. We do not make things better but worse when we listen. Even if we do not agree, by listening, we validate their complaint when it goes unchallenged. In this case, instead of complaining, they should have asked Moses about it. Moses could have asked God about it and I suspect God would have listened and provided in a good way. Instead, they complained and insulted God. God’s anger flared and fire broke out.

The next thing they did wrong was...

2. They were being influenced instead of being influencers.

By listening, they were being influenced by people that really had nothing to complain about. God had allowed them to be part of this group. They were offered all the same blessings by being there. They could have left Egypt and gone anywhere they wanted, but they chose to follow Israel probably because of God’s great deeds. Now they needed to learn to trust God. Israel could have encouraged them by giving them wise direction to talk to Moses. They would have been influencing these foreigners for good, but instead they allowed the foreigners to influence them and cause trouble.

3. They were more concerned with physical pleasure than true need.

Their complaint was regarding a luxury. God was providing them all they needed, but they were seeking something more. (Keep in mind that they were going to a land flowing with milk and honey. At the end of the journey, they would have all they want, so their discomfort was temporary, as well as less time consuming while they traveled).

Now, the manna they had been provided was said to be sweet to the taste, like honey. It was nourishing and provided all they needed to be sustained in the desert. But they are not concerned with nourishment, they want flavor!

I have to tell you that I fear we would struggle under such circumstances today as we are used to so many flavorful meals. In fact, our nation is literally dying from obesity because we so indulge in flavor! How do you think we would do if we were reduced to one item day in and day out? We often forget that it isn’t about satisfying our taste buds, but about properly nourishing our bodies. You can tell I have the same struggle.

As our economy gets tougher, we may find ourselves faced with limitations in our meals, as well as living luxuries. We need to be careful not to test God in these circumstances by complaining. We need to be thankful for the need that is filled and not so focused on indulgences. However, nothing says we cannot share our struggle with God. He is a good Father and when we share with Him in trust and not in complaint, He is often generous at unexpected moments.

4. They hand grown entitled expecting something for nothing.

They had been provided for in Egypt and now God provided for them here. They were poor slaves, yet they had so much at the hands of others and now they had superior expectations. How fast we fall into this trap. We complain about it in others and we often fail to see it in ourselves (me included).

There trip was only just beginning. They are only three days out and they are already complaining. Three days seems to be a pattern. They were only three days out from the Red Sea when they complained about the lack of water. God had supplied then, they should have known that with the right attitude, God could supply yet again.

So, We see how all of this affected the people, but how did all this affect their leader Moses. We read on and we find...

B. Squabbles Burn-Out Leaders Numbers 11:10-15

Numbers 11:10–15 NIV

10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? 13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

It has been proven that people’s squabbles can burn out leaders faster than tasks. It is both mentally and physically fatiguing when people under your leadership are unhappy. It may seem weird that it is physical, but it really effects us physically. When I worked in the corporate office, I had times when I worked with people who were pleasant and I went home feeling refreshed even after a day with overtime hours. However, if I had someone working in the office that complained all the time, I just felt physically drained all the time.

We see this kind of stress in Moses and it had a negative impact on him.

1. Moses’ stress turns his focus inward.

Numbers 11:11 NIV

11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?

Self-pity is a disability. It gets our eyes off the real problems and onto ourselves. When we do this, we take on issues that are not ours to deal with. These people were God’s problem not Moses’. However, Moses in his stress, took on all the weight of the problem.

It is difficult for leaders to do their best under this kind of stress. However, Moses still did the right thing.

2. Moses rightfully takes his distress to God.

Unlike the people who sat and complained to each other. Moses went to the right source. His attitude was suffering some, but He still laid his complaint before God. God never chastised Moses. I believe God understood because He was frustrated with these people Himself. God listened to Moses.

And there is one more thing that Moses did right.

3. Moses was honest with God (unlike the people).

Moses was honest with God about what he was feeling. He didn’t try to be something he wasn’t. God cannot help us if we try to cover up what we are feeling. God wants to hear from us. When we are frustrated, we can share that with God. He really does care!

When Moses is through speaking with God, we find...

C. God Responds to Moses’ Plea. Numbers 11:16-35

God listens to Moses and then God responds fixing both situations.

1. God responds to Moses’ plea with mercy. Numbers 11:16-17, 24-30

Numbers 11:16–17 NIV

16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

God gives Moses help relieving some of the load. Now remember, Moses had previously recruited help for dealing with personal squabbles based on his father-in-law’s advice. That was a judicial system that was established. However, God is recruiting leaders to help Moses with this group (Think: President’s cabinet :-)). God had previously provided leadership aid for Moses with Aaron, Moses’s brother and even Miriam, Moses’s sister. Now, God is expanding that leadership group. God then places some of His Spirit on them. Seventy in total.

Then God resolves the other issue but this time it is not in mercy.

2. God responds to the people with judgment. Numbers 11:18-23, 31-32

Numbers 11:18–20 NIV

18 “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. 19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ”

It is never good to make demands of God. When we are determined to have our own way, when we continue to complain, God sometimes gives us what we want. The people tested God with their complaining, so God answered and gave them what they wanted. They had so much meat they didn’t know what to do with it!

And you know what happened, even while eating the meat, they complained yet again. What was their complaint? We do not know. Perhaps they were thinking they wanted pork, or chicken instead of quail. Perhaps they complained about the volume of quail. It doesn’t matter what their complaint was, it was still a complaint. So God sent a plague and many died. The place was given another name even yet. Kibroth Hattaavah, which means “the graves of lust.”

Conclusion

So many churches today are destroyed by people complaining.

I read a funny story this week about a man rescued after being marooned on a desert island. While they were rescuing him they said, “We thought you were alone.” “I was he replied.” “Well then why the three huts?”, the rescuers asked. The man replied, “One is my home and the other my church.” “What about the third hut they asked?” “Oh that! That was the church I used to attend!”

Complaining is a tool of Satan. He uses it to divide and conquer. When we follow God we find order, peace, and unity. However, when disorder reigns, we can look behind the scenes and we see Satan at work using people to create chaos by complaining. They become influencers of destruction when they do so. Usually these complaints come out of personal preference. They are seeking their own personal comforts and tastes. They pit us against the leaders that God has set in place. When there is conflict among the people, it often leads to complaints and conflicts among the leaders. That is our subject for next week.

In a time when so many churches are struggling, our church has been blessed. God has provided for us in so many incredible ways. However, Satan is always lurking at the door. He is always seeking to find ways to bring in complaints and create discontent and chaos. We need to constantly be on guard against it. Today’s notes help us to know how to avoid this pitfall. We need to not listen to complaints but encourage those complaining to go to the right authority, God first and the pastor second. We need to be positive influencers, and not negatively influenced. We need to trust that God has all things under His control and the problems are His, not ours. God places who He wants in authority, and He has the power to remove them when He chooses. We also need to recognize that God has given His leadership helpers, but those helpers need to keep their boundaries as well, but we will see more about the leadership end of this subject next week. In the meantime, we want to be a people God listens to and responds to in mercy, not judgment.

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