1. Discontent in the camp
Numbers

2. Discontent in the camp BACKGROUND
Numbers is an account of the time between the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land
After the Tabernacle has been completed and the arrangements for marching have been given the Israelites have started on their journey to the Promised Land
Up to now they have obeyed all that God has commanded through Moses

3. THE FIRST COMPLAINT (1 -3)
Discontent in the camp
THE FIRST COMPLAINT (1 -3)
A pattern is seen in all of the discontent recorded in Numbers
the people complain
the Lord hears and judges
the people cry out to Moses
Moses intercedes
the Lord relents
The first complaints come from the edge of the camp – did they feel neglected or in more danger?

4. COMPLAINING ABOUT GOD’S PROVISION (4 – 15)
Discontent in the camp
COMPLAINING ABOUT GOD’S PROVISION (4 – 15)
The people complain that all they have to eat is the manna provided for them
They look back to their time in Egypt where the food was varied
They didn’t remember the hardship they had suffered there
They didn’t appreciate that God was providing food for them that would sustain them on their journey

5. MOSES IS AFFECTED BY THEIR COMPLAINTS (10)
Discontent in the camp
MOSES IS AFFECTED BY THEIR COMPLAINTS (10)
He complains to God that He has placed him in an intolerable position - how can he deal with so many people?
He feels he has been given a burden that is too much for him to bear
He is so overwhelmed that he asks God to kill him. Thankfully God doesn’t!

6. THE LORD’S SOLUTION (16 – 30)
Discontent in the camp
THE LORD’S SOLUTION (16 – 30)
God will lighten Moses’ burden by anointing 70 of the elders from among the tribes
God promises to provide meat for a month – so much that they will grow sick of it!
Moses doubts how this can be done (21-22)
God asserts again how powerful He is to provide for them (23)
God anoints the elders, even 2 who did not go to the tent of meeting as commanded (Eldad and Medad)

7. THE LORD SENDS QUAIL (31 – 35)
Discontent in the camp
THE LORD SENDS QUAIL (31 – 35)
God keeps His promise to send meat for the Israelites – quail
On both sides of the camp there was provision
An abundance of food was collected and shared out among the people (32)
But God was still intent on punishing those who had despised the manna and He sent a plague at a place that became known as the “Graves of craving”

8. AARON AND MIRIAM DISSENT (12)
Discontent in the camp
AARON AND MIRIAM DISSENT (12)
Moses’ brother and sister now rebel against him
Ostensibly it is because he has married an Ethiopian woman (1)
The real issue is more likely jealousy (2)
The Lord meets with all 3 at the Tent of Meeting
He affirms the unique position of Moses in relationship to Himself (6 – 8)
Miriam is struck with leprosy for her rebellion
Moses asks God to heal her, which He does but Miriam is excluded from the camp for 7 days
Aaron confesses his sin and is not afflicted

9. Discontent in the camp LESSONS FOR TODAY
Our own journeys of faith can be tough, we may be tempted to moan but we need to be realistic about the possible consequences (see 1 Cor 10:10)
Do not deny God’s goodness
Do not doubt God’s power
Do not dismiss or oppose God’s leaders unless they act unscripturally
Covet earnestly spiritual gifts but do not covet another person’s gift or position