While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck down the people with a very great plague. Numbers 11:33
I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 11:31-35 - we see God fulfilling His promise to punish the people who complained about their provisions of food and craved meat. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: On the backs of their grumbling and complaining - see post from two days ago and yesterday - God fulfills His promise to provide meat (quail) - in a gluttonous amount - to the people who craved such meat. While God did not specifically promise a plague and for them to die, God did express anger and promised consequences. This leads one to believe that perhaps God was giving the people an opportunity to repent and seek mercy for their sin of complaining before He delivered on the promise of consequences. Regardless of how one interprets the text, it is hard to deny that God was faithful - He was angry and promised consequences and these consequences came to pass. Every promise of God finds their yes in Jesus - 2 Corinthians 1:20.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: The people suffered due to God's wrath and there is no record in the text that they repented. You would expect that after such suffering that they would - those who remained and moved on to Hazeroth (v35). Often we see only what we want to see and not see what God wants us to see. God wants us to see His glory and how He saves. He rescued Israel from bondage and led them through the wilderness and provided for them - yet they complained, focusing on their own expectations and not God's plans. He was building a nation, and ultimately a church. We should seek God and pray that He renews our mind (Romans 12:2) such that we can His will.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid missing what God is doing and focusing on how your circumstances don't meet expectations and then complaining or expressing frustration. Claim the promise that God is always at work for good (Romans 8:28). Follow the example of Paul who gave thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Seek God and how He renews minds to align our thoughts and desires to be more like His.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves! You are SO faithful and always at work for good. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You love and save and are so faithful. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
