Day 55-11

V From the Exodus to the Crossing into Canaan - 1462-1422 B.C. ~ cont.

(1462 - 982 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1)

B. Time spent at Sinai (sometimes called Horeb) ~ cont.

35.  Preparation for leaving Sinai ~ cont.

c. Journey to resume - Exodus 33:1-6
d. Passover held again - (Numbers 9:11)
e. Moses recommissioned - Deuteronomy 1:6-18
C. From Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea
1. Trip starts - Numbers 10:11, 12
2. Order of the divisions - Numbers 10:14-28
3. Moses seeks relatives support - Numbers 10:12, 29-32
4. Cloud leads them - Exodus 40:36-38, Numbers 9:15-23
5. Fire at Taberah - Numbers 10:33-36, 11:1-3
6. Arrival at Kibroth - Numbers 33:16
a. Murmuring about manna - Numbers 11:4-9
b. Moses complains - Numbers 11:10-15
c. Seventy elders chosen - Numbers 11:16-25
d. Prophecy in the camp - Numbers 11:26-30
e. Plague of quails - Numbers 11:31-34

{pages 243-248}

Ye shall not respect person in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of a man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.  (Deuteronomy 1:17)

Societal differences.  Equal under the law.  This makes me think of our document which states, all men are created equal.  Not equal in ability, but should be judged equally regardless of color, gender, ability, finances, etc.

And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?  (Numbers 11:4)

Murmuring - again!  Every time I read where they were murmuring, I think, how often do I do that?  Father has blessed me so much, yet I want more.  Never content.  What a challenge to be more thankful for what I do have, rather than lamenting for what I do not.  Trying to remind myself, continually, that I have and/or am exactly where HE wants me to be.

mixt multitude - H628 - By reduplication from H624; gathered up together, that is, a promiscuous assemblage (of people).

• H624 - Passive participle of H622; collected (only in the plural), that is, a collection (of offerings).
• H622 - A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence to receive, take away, that is, remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.).

H628 was used only 1 time.  I thoroughly enjoyed Matthew Henry's commentary on the passage (verses 4-15), quoting just a portion:

"These verses represent things sadly unhinged and out of order in Israel, both the people and the prince uneasy.
I. Here is the people fretting, and speaking against God himself (as it is interpreted, Psa_78:19), notwithstanding his glorious appearances both to them and for them. Observe,
1. Who were the criminals. (1.) The mixed multitude began, they fell a lusting, Num_11:4. The rabble that came with them out of Egypt, expecting only the land of promise, but not a state of probation in the way to it. They were hangers on, who took hold of the skirts of the Jews, and would go with them only because they knew not how to live at home, and were disposed to seek their fortunes (as we say) abroad. These were the scabbed sheep that infected the flock, the leaven that leavened the whole lump. Note, A few factious, discontented, ill-natured people, may do a great deal of mischief in the best societies, if great care be not taken to discountenance them. Such as these are an untoward generation, from which it is our wisdom to save ourselves, Act_2:40. (2.) Even the children of Israel took the infection, as we are informed, Num_11:4. The holy seed joined themselves to the people of these abominations. The mixed multitude here spoken of were not numbered with the children of Israel, but were set aside as a people God made no account of; and yet the children of Israel, forgetting their own character and distinction, herded themselves with them and learned their way, as if the scum and outcasts of the camp were to be the privy-counsellors of it. The children of Israel, a people near to God and highly privileged, yet drawn into rebellion against him! O how little honour has God in the world, when even the people which he formed for himself, to show forth his praise, were so much a dishonour to him! Therefore let none think that their external professions and privileges will be their security either against Satan's temptations to sin or God's judgments for sin. See 1Co_10:1, 1Co_10:2, 1Co_10:12."

state of probation - which puts me in mind of 1 Peter - Timeless Truths for Tough Times - we are not guaranteed a peaceful existence this side of glory, we are told time and again, we will have trials and tribulations.  However, we are to press into Christ Jesus, knowing that HE can, will and does bring us to completion and victory.

A few factious, discontented, ill-natured people, may do a great deal of mischief in the best societies, if great care be not taken to discountenance them - puts me in mind of how a small minority of homosexual people can take and turn a country upside down, inside out and backwards in an attempt to have their own lustful ways.  They that mock the Lord and HIS divine decree of respecting the genders and the holiness of marriage, will be shown to have planted bad seed and will reap the consequences thereof.

To read the commentary in its entirety, click here, you will need to scroll down to the portion on 5-14.  Really very good.  Convicting as well.  Keil and Delitzsch's commentary can be found here, again, you have to scroll down to the passages under review (starts with verse 3, verse 4 is at the end of a paragraph).

And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.  (Numbers 11:33)

Just the mixt multitude?  Or in addition those Israelites who got carried away with murmuring?

Henry's commentary:

"3. How dearly they paid for their feasts, when it came into the reckoning: The Lord smote them with a very great plague (Num_11:33), some bodily disease, which probably was the effect of their surfeit, and was the death of many of them, and those, it is likely, the ringleaders in the mutiny. Note, God often grants the desires of his own people in love. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul, Psa_106:15. By all that was said to them they were not estranged from their lusts, and therefore, while the meat was in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, Psa_78:30, Psa_78:31. What we inordinately desire, if we obtain it (we have reason to fear), will be some way or other a grief and cross to us. God satiated them first, and then plagued them, (1.) To save the reputation of his own power, that it might not be said, “He would not have cut them off had he been able to supply them.” And, (2.) To show us the meaning of the prosperity of sinners; it is their preparation for ruin, they are fed as an ox for the slaughter. Lastly, The remembrance of this is preserved in the name given to the place, Num_11:34."

Lord, help each of us to be content, prayerfully seeking Your guidance and instruction if there needs to be a change.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.