August 8, 2010 Lesson 7 of Numbers 11 and 12. Complaints

What different attitudes are shown here by the people, the rabble, Joshua, Miriam and Aaron, and Moses? How does Moses stand out as ‘different’? Answer: Moses is at his wits end, so to speak. He understands how God has blessed them and how He loves them. The rabble are pot stirrers. They are causing dissent within the camp. Joshua is trying to protect what Moses has (the gift of prophecy from the Lord), while Moses wants everyone to have the same blessing he does. Miriam and Aaron stood against Moses, and therefore stood against God. Moses cared for them and followed Aaron’s wishes to ask God to heal her.


How did God ‘deal’ with the various complaints made? Answer: God answered the complaints but at the same time punished the Israelites for their disbelief.


Note; 12:3. ‘Humble’: Not concerned for their own interests of prestige, and so able to pay ono attention to the unfair attacks on themselves.