Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, "Who will feed us meat? Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other foodThe term "rabble" refers to a mixed multitude that accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt ( Exodus 12:38). This group likely included non-Israelites who had joined the exodus, possibly due to witnessing the power of God during the plagues. Their presence among the Israelites often led to discontent and rebellion, as seen here. The "strong craving" indicates a deep-seated desire for the variety of foods they had in Egypt, highlighting a lack of contentment with God's provision of manna. This craving can be seen as a metaphor for the human tendency to long for worldly pleasures rather than spiritual sustenance. and again the Israelites wept
The Israelites' weeping signifies a recurring pattern of dissatisfaction and lack of faith in God's provision. This behavior echoes previous instances of grumbling, such as at the waters of Marah (Exodus 15:24) and in the Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:2-3). Their tears reflect a spiritual immaturity and a failure to trust in God's plan, despite witnessing His miracles. This weeping can be seen as a lack of gratitude and a focus on temporal desires over eternal promises. and said, “Who will feed us meat?”
This question reveals a desire for the comforts of Egypt, where they had access to a variety of foods (Numbers 11:5). It underscores a lack of faith in God's ability to provide and a yearning for the past, even though it was a time of bondage. The Israelites' demand for meat can be seen as a test of God's patience and a challenge to His authority. This longing for meat foreshadows the provision of quail, which ultimately leads to a divine judgment (Numbers 11:31-34). The question also highlights a deeper spiritual issue: a failure to recognize that true satisfaction comes from God alone, a theme echoed in Jesus' teaching about being the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Persons / Places / Events 1. The RabbleThis term refers to the mixed multitude or non-Israelites who left Egypt with the Israelites. They were often a source of discontent and rebellion. 2. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were journeying to the Promised Land. They frequently struggled with faith and obedience. 3. The WildernessThe setting of this event, where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. 4. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 5. EgyptThe land of bondage from which the Israelites were delivered. It often symbolized a place of physical provision but spiritual slavery. Teaching Points The Danger of DiscontentmentDiscontentment can lead to rebellion against God. The Israelites' craving for meat was rooted in a lack of trust in God's provision. The Influence of Ungodly AssociationsThe "rabble" influenced the Israelites negatively. Believers should be cautious about the company they keep, as it can lead to spiritual compromise. Remembering God's Past FaithfulnessThe Israelites forgot God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt. Regularly recalling God's past faithfulness can strengthen our faith in current trials. The Consequences of ComplainingComplaining reflects a heart of ingratitude and can lead to God's discipline. Cultivating a heart of thankfulness is crucial for spiritual growth. Trusting in God's ProvisionGod knows our needs and is faithful to provide. Trusting in His timing and provision is essential for a peaceful and content life. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the influence of the "rabble" in Numbers 11:4 serve as a warning about the company we keep today? 2. In what ways can we guard against the spirit of discontentment in our own lives, as seen in the Israelites' craving for meat? 3. How can recalling God's past faithfulness help us trust Him in our current circumstances? 4. What are some practical ways to cultivate a heart of gratitude instead of complaining? 5. How does the account of the Israelites in the wilderness challenge us to trust in God's provision, and what New Testament scriptures reinforce this trust? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 16This chapter describes a similar situation where the Israelites grumbled about food, and God provided manna. It highlights the recurring theme of dissatisfaction and lack of trust in God's provision. Psalm 78This psalm recounts the history of Israel's rebellion and God's faithfulness, including the events in the wilderness, emphasizing the consequences of unbelief. 1 Corinthians 10Paul uses the wilderness experiences of the Israelites as a warning to the Corinthian church, urging them to avoid idolatry and immorality. People Eldad, Israelites, Joshua, Medad, Moses, NunPlaces Egypt, Hazeroth, Kibroth-hattaavah, Paran, TaberahTopics Band, Crave, Craving, Desire, Desires, Eat, Exceedingly, Fell, Flesh, Greatly, Greedy, Israelites, Lusted, Lusting, Meat, Midst, Mixed, Multitude, O, Overcome, Rabble, Sons, Started, Strong, Turn, Wailing, Weep, Weeping, WeptDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 11:1-6 7135 Israel, people of God Numbers 11:4-6 5418 monotony
5569 suffering, hardship
5940 searching
5945 self-pity Numbers 11:4-9 1330 God, the provider Numbers 11:4-10 6218 provoking God Numbers 11:4-34 4438 eating
4478 meat Library April 12. "They were as it Were, Complainers" (Num. xi. 1).
"They were as it were, complainers" (Num. xi. 1). There is a very remarkable phrase in the book of Numbers, in the account of the murmuring of the children of Israel in the wilderness. It reads like this: "When the people, as it were, murmured." Like most marginal readings it is better than the text, and a great world of suggestive truth lies back of that little sentence. In the distance we may see many a vivid picture rise before our imagination of people who do not dare to sin openly and unequivocally, …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Baptist's Testimony.
"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.... John beareth witness of Him, and crieth, saying, This was He of whom I said, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. For of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II False Ambition Versus Childlikeness.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 1-14; ^B Mark IX. 33-50; ^C Luke IX. 46-50. ^c 46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ^b 33 And he came to Capernaum: ^c 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, ^b and when he was in the house [probably Simon Peter's house] he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. [The Lord with his disciples was …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 11:4 NIVNumbers 11:4 NLTNumbers 11:4 ESVNumbers 11:4 NASBNumbers 11:4 KJV
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