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A Godly Father's Legacy and Eternal Hope 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word as our journey takes us to Numbers chapters 11 and 12 verse 23 of chapter 11. Now the lord said to Moses, is the lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word0:21 will come true for you or not. Before we jump into today's study, I I want to acknowledge that 1 of our fellow travelers has gone on ahead of us. My father went to be with the lord yesterday. He's0:33 no longer standing on the word. He's actually with the word. He has been a part he and my mother have been a part of this journey since we started it. We've discussed the word frequently. In fact, this0:45 last Sunday, my dad wasn't a part of the conversation, but my mother and my children and my wife were so grateful for my dad. Such a godly example and an encouragement to me. And0:57 I'll just say this this journey through the word in many ways began with my father correcting my fallen nature back when I was about 12 years old. My punishment was to read the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters. I1:09 was to read 1 chapter per day. And that began my journey through the word of God, and I am, I'm so grateful for that and so many other things that my dad taught me and the things we did1:20 together. We actually hiked the Appalachian Trail together. We fished together. We hunted together. We did a lot together, and, I'm gonna miss him dearly. But I know that,1:32 he would want me to continue standing on the word because I'm standing on the word and the promises of God that we will be together again, in heaven for all eternity in the presence of Jesus. And1:44 that's that's something we can all stand on. All of us, have or will experience the loss of loved ones, and and and we are not like those that have no hope because we know that we will be reunited1:56 with those that we love in Christ Jesus. So for today, let's take a look at numbers chapter 11, more complaining. Alright? You know, have youMurmuring in the Camp: Fire and Cravings 2:08 have you as we've read through this, have you gotten to the point where you said, what's wrong with these people? I mean, god is literally in their midst. He has performed miracle after miracle and provided food and2:19 water at every rest stop, and they still they still long to return to their days of slavery in Egypt. Now these these events are actually happening. What we read here in a very short period of time, they're just a2:31 little over 2 years out of Egypt. And how could they be so indifferent to God's plan and his past?2:44 Well, let's start with chapter 11 verse 1, and I'm reading from the ESV today. And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes. And when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and2:56 the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outerlying parts of the camp. Now a few observations here. Notice where this happens. This is the outlying3:08 parts of the camp. Now, some scholars point to this as being an area of the mixed multitude, those who had intermarried with the Egyptians. I also see this as well from this standpoint that the3:20 further you are from the presence and the awareness of God, the more likely you are to murmur against God and and and and not be thankful. And remember, the tabernacle, the presence of3:32 God was in the center of the camp. So what what is murmuring? Yes. It's like complaining, but at its core, it's a rejection of god's word and his promises and a failure to trust3:44 him. Also, just as god did in Leviticus, he acts to stop the spread. This type of behavior can be contagious. Look at verse 2. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses3:56 prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. Now we're beginning to see their patterns. They they would seem seem to forget the previous consequences of their actions. God responded with punishment.4:08 They cried out to Moses to intervene. And what does Moses do? He intercedes for these people who repeatedly challenge his authority. What an amazing example of of humility,4:19 selflessness, and devotion to God and God's purposes that Moses was. Verse 3. So the name of the place was called Tabaria because the fire of the Lord burned among4:31 them. Now, verse 4, now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, oh, that we had meat to eat. Now a little leaven leavens4:43 the whole lump. What started with those with 1 foot toward the promised land and 1 foot in Egypt on the outskirts of the camp apparently had a detrimental effect on the rest of the congregation.4:54 Verse 5, we remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. What a loss of perspective. It cost them nothing. They were5:06 slaves in bondage to the Egyptians. You know, we're we're we're we were slaves, but we had fish and garlic. I don't know about you, but I'll take freedom in God's5:18 granola bars and the manna. Verse 6. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all to eat but this manna to look to look at. By the way, this manna was a a versatile5:30 food source, apparently, very rich in nutrients. I mean, if it were around to today, it'd probably be the subject of late night, infomercials. Verse 9, when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with5:41 it. Verse 10, Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent, and the anger of the lord blazed hotly. Not good news. And Moses was5:53 displeased. Moses said to the lord, why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight that you lay the burden of all these people on me? Now Moses6:05 is just going to the Lord and saying, what did I do? Why did you make me responsible for these people? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give birth to them that you should say to me, carry them in your bosom as a6:16 nurse carries a nursing child to the land that you swore to give to your fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep before me and say, give us meat that we may eat. Am6:28 I am not able to carry all these people alone. The burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once. Go ahead and take me out. If I find favor in your sight that I may not see6:40 my wretchedness. Wow. I think here Moses was reaching for the crisis hotline. He was at the end of his rope. Verse 16. Then the Lord said toElders Appointed and the Plague of Quail 6:51 Moses, gather for me 70 men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with7:03 you. And I will come down and talk with you there, and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you so that you may not bear it7:15 yourself alone. And say to the people, consecrate yourself for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat. For you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.7:25 Therefore, the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just 1 day, or 2 days, or 5 days, or 10 days, or 20 days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and7:37 becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, why did we come out of Egypt?' They crossed the red line. Notice7:49 that even Moses's faith is being tested here. But Moses said, the people among whom I am number 600000 on foot. Now he's counting the men. Isn't this is something8:01 we see repeatedly in scripture. And you have said, I will give them meat that they may eat a whole month. And the lord said to Moses, verse 23, is the lord's hand shortened?8:13 Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not. Now recall, this was not the first time that they were complaining about what was on the menu. About a year prior, they were complaining about a lack of8:24 food when they were in the wilderness of sin and the quail was provided. But on that occasion, we didn't see the same outcome as we're gonna see here. Now, before we get to this,8:36 deadly outbreak that may have been I don't know. Maybe it was the first case of bird flu. I don't know. But there's something else sandwiched in here that I want us to see. Verse 24. So Moses went out and told the people8:46 the words of the lord, and he gathered the 70 men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. Then the lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him and took of the spirit that was upon him and8:58 placed the same upon the 70 elders. And it happened when the spirit rested upon them that they prophesied, although they never did so again. Now Aaron, who had been Moses' assistant,9:10 was now focused on leading the priest and the Levite. So the Lord provided a governmental council to help Moses. Now this is different than the judges that were put in place back in Exodus9:22 chapter 18 to hear legal disputes. These were to help Moses with the burden of governing. Now there are different interpretations of this Hebrew expression of the verb in in verse 25, yashaf,9:34 that and I think that's correct, that the prophecy ceased after this occasion. The other is that it did not cease. The former would be consistent with the occurrences9:46 when the Holy Spirit came upon those that were called the civic leadership. It it was an outward sign of the calling of God and the anointing and the empowerment9:58 to carry out the God ordained duties. We saw the same thing with or we will see the same thing with Saul. Now let's go back to the complaining. Verse 33. While the meat was yet between their teeth before it was consumed,10:10 the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore, the name of the place was called Kibroth Hatebah because there,10:22 they buried the people who had the craving. Now there's a lesson here for us. God gave them what they wanted, but they did not want what God10:33 wanted. These were not sanctified cravings. They had not yielded their lives to the lord. And there are times when god will give us what we want to show it is not show us it's not10:45 what we need. But this is not a good place to be because usually it does not have a good outcome because our our natural cravings can can kill us. So how do we keep from going down this10:57 path? Well, Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 talks about this when he talks about the things that the world seeks, you know, food, shelter, clothing. None of it is bad in and of itself. But but he says this in verse 33 of11:09 Matthew 6, but seek first the kingdom of god and his righteousness, and all of these things will be added to you. It's all about perspective and what is our priority. Now a quick overview of chapter 12,Miriam and Aaron Rebel Against Moses 11:21 You just have to shake your head in bewilderment at Aaron and Miriam. Did did they just miss what god had done? They complained about Moses hogging leadership, which,11:33 frankly, I think he would be evident or be I think it was evident that he would be happy to let it go. It was only his obedience to God that kept him on the job. Verse 1, chapter 12. Miriam and11:45 Aaron Aaron spoke against Moses because the Cushite woman whom he he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman, and they said, has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? He has he not11:56 spoken through us also? And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek. We talked about this a moment ago. More than all the people who were on the face of the earth and suddenly the Lord said to Moses and12:08 Aaron and Miriam, come out, you 3, to the tent of meeting and the 3 of them came out. Now when I read that I had flashbacks of the principal's office. So God deals with Aaron and Miriam12:20 on Moses's behalf. And what does Moses do? He intercedes for them. What a godly man. What a great example for us. Father, thank you for your12:32 word. And, lord, we just thank you for those godly men like Moses who provide examples for us. I thank you for my father, lord, who taught me so much when was such an example12:44 of humility, of compassion, and kindness. And, Lord, I I just pray, that you would continue to be with us on this journey. And I pray that you would birth in the12:56 hearts of those that, join us on this journey a love for your word because it is your word that is a light unto our path. It it it it shows the way. It shines the way forward.13:08 And so father, we pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to apply the principles of your word to our lives in this world in which we live, and we thank you for it in Jesus' name. Amen. Thanks for joining me this13:20 morning, and until next time, keep standing on the word.13:24 Today's study comes from the stand on the word bible reading plan available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you13:36 can read through the entire bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 A Godly Father's Legacy and Eternal Hope2:01 Murmuring in the Camp: Fire and Cravings6:42 Elders Appointed and the Plague of Quail11:19 Miriam and Aaron Rebel Against Moses
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