Compare Moses' doubt in Numbers 11:21 with Peter's doubt in Matthew 14:31. Setting the Scene • God miraculously liberates Israel; Moses watches manna fall daily (Exodus 16:4-5). • The disciples witness Jesus multiply bread and fish only hours before the storm (Matthew 14:13-21). • In both settings, past miracles are fresh, yet doubt surfaces when new challenges arise. Moses’ Doubt – Numbers 11:21 “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’” • The people complain, craving meat (11:4-6). • Moses feels outnumbered: 600,000 warriors, plus women and children—perhaps two million mouths. • His question is practical: “Where will all this meat come from?” • Behind the logistics, Moses slips from faith in God’s unlimited power to calculation based on visible resources. • God answers with quail “about two cubits deep all around the camp” (11:31-32), proving His word cannot fail. Peter’s Doubt – Matthew 14:31 “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’” • Peter steps onto the water at Jesus’ command (14:29). • When the wind intensifies, his gaze shifts from Christ to circumstances. • “Began to sink” (14:30) shows doubt’s instant effect—faith evaporates, fear floods in. • Jesus does not let Peter drown; He grasps him first, then addresses the heart issue. • The storm calms only after both enter the boat (14:32), underscoring that Jesus, not the environment, secures safety. Common Threads of Unbelief • Both men have personal history with God’s power, yet present pressure eclipses past deliverance. • Doubt narrows vision to what eyes see—deserts without livestock, waves without footing. • Each expresses unbelief verbally: Moses questions God’s plan; Peter cries, “Lord, save me!” (14:30). • God responds with immediate, gracious action, then correction. Distinctive Differences • Moses doubts God’s provision for others; Peter doubts God’s protection for himself. • Moses voices objections before the miracle; Peter falters in the middle of it. • Moses is leading an entire nation; Peter is learning personal discipleship. • Consequence for Moses: a rebuke and object lesson through overwhelming quail. For Peter: a gentle rescue and teaching moment before his peers. Lessons for Today • Miraculous memories must fuel present faith—“Remember the former things” (Isaiah 46:9). • Visible scarcity or danger does not limit the limitless God (Ephesians 3:20). • Doubt often arises when we fixate on numbers or waves instead of God’s word (Romans 10:17). • The Lord confronts unbelief, yet He holds us fast: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). Promises that Anchor Our Faith • “The LORD’s arm is not too short to save” (Isaiah 59:1). • “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). • “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2). • “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). |
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