Bemidbar "into The Wilderness" Series

June 14, 2025

Israel was now a fully functioning nation. They had a center of worship, laws and a standing army. It was now time to leave Sinai. Yahweh was their Leader and he was going to personally lead them through the activity of the cloud. The journey began on a note of optimism and obedience: When the cloud moved – they moved. When the cloud stopped – they stopped.

However, as the story develops, obedient Israel quickly became rebellious Israel. The journey had hardly begun when the people began to complain about the hardships they encountered. The Bible does not elaborate on the exact circumstances, but whatever they were, Yahweh was having none of it. Fire burned among the people and consumed some on the outskirts of the camp. The people cried to Moses, he prayed and the fire died down.

But wait, there’s more……..

Way back in Exodus 16, when Israel complained about their food situation, God had demonstrated His faithfulness and care for them by providing Manna. And that seems to be their current problem – they were still eating Manna.

Numbers 11:4-6 - The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"

Manna was their complaint, but the real issue was distrust in God’s care. Forget what he had done in their past – this was now and they wanted more than what he chose to provide. Their NEED was met, but they wanted more. They wanted what they had had in Egypt. They preferred the “comforts” of slavery over God’s provision and leadership. This was beyond complaining – this was high treason.

Moses heard their whining …. And so did Yahweh!

Moses had had enough! Why have you brought this trouble on me? What did I ever do to you that you would burden me with this people? Are they my children? NO! Then why am I carrying them to the land YOU promised? The burden is too heavy. If this is how you are going to treat me, just kill me now!

Yahweh: Appoint 70 men from the elders of Israel to help carry the burden. I will take the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. Next, tell the people to consecrate themselves because I am going to give them what they want – Meat. Not just for 1 or 2 or 5 or 20 days…. Oh no! For an entire month - until it comes out of their noses and becomes disgusting to them.

Moses: Where am I going to get enough meat to feed 600,000 men for a whole month?

Yahweh: Is My arm to short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true.

The elders were selected and then a wind began to blow driving quail in from the sea. There were so many quail that they filled the camp 3 feet deep and a days walk in any direction. For 36 hours the people gathered quail and then they sat down to eat. They were still picking quail out of their teeth when Yahweh’s angered burned against them and he struck them with a severe plague.

So, the name of that place was called “Kibroth-hattaavah” (graves of lust)

But wait, there’s more……..

Numbers 12:1-2 - Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. "Has Yahweh spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?"

(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

Miriam and Aaron said these things in earshot of Yahweh and He was not amused. Moses, Aaron and Miriam were called to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and Yahweh came down in the cloud.

He summoned Aaron and Miriam: Listen very carefully. When a prophet is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions and dreams. That is not the case with Moses. He is faithful and I speak to him face to face and he sees my form. Why, then are you not afraid to speak against my servant, Moses?

When the cloud lifted, Miriam was covered with leprosy.

Aaron acknowledged their sin and asked Moses to intercede on her behalf.

Yahweh agreed to heal her, but she would be confined outside the camp for 7 days.

After 7 days, Israel left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran

But wait, there’s more…….

Yahweh told Moses to gather the heads of each tribe and send them up through the Negev to spy out the Land of Canaan. They were instructed to check out: