Series: Getting The Faith Of Moses Dr. Elmer Towns
Lesson 28: Who Does God Use? February 12, 2012
A. BE CAREFUL OF COMPLAINING TO GOD
“And Moses said to the LORD, ‘Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery’” (Num. 11:11-15, NLT).
1. The people complained to God before Moses did. “The people began to complain about their hardship” (11:1, NLT). They were not satisfied with their spiritual prosperity.
2. People on the edge complain first and were judged first. “It displeased the Lord . . . so the fire of the Lord burned among them . . . in the outskirts of the camp” (11:1).
3. What was this fire?
a. A fever, i.e., a burning forehead or disease.
b. An actual judgment fire from heaven.
c. A prairie fire.
4. The mixed multitude complained about God’s provision. “The foreign rabble . . . began to crave . . . ‘oh, for some good meat’” (11:4, NLT).
a. When they faced starvation, God sent manna.
b. Complained about God’s provision in the past.
5. Leaders got caught up in complaints but for different reasons. “Moses heard the people weeping . . . Moses was also displeased” (11:10).
What Moses Forgot
• Israel had defeated Egypt, the greatest nation.
• In less than 2 years, over 3 million people were organized and disciplined.
• God’s presence led and lived among them.
• They built a Tabernacle that pleased God.
6. Note Moses’ complaint.
a. Why don’t you like me? “Why have you afflicted me? (11:11).
b. Why are you punishing me? “Why have I not found favor in your sight?” (11:11).
c. Why me? “Why . . . laid . . . this people upon me” (11:11).
d. I am not smart enough? “Where am I to get meat?” (11:13).
e. I am not strong enough. “I am not able to bear” (11:14).
f. God you can’t help. “There are 600,000 men . . . if we butchered all our flocks . . . if we caught all the fish . . . not enough” (11:21-22).
7. Moses’ prayer, death or deliverance. “Go ahead and kill me” (11:15).
8. God’s eternal question to us, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened?” (11:23).
B. MOSES GOT HELP
“So Moses . . . gathered the seventy 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, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again” (11:24-25).
1. The Spirit can’t be taken from one, so he has less, and given to another.
2. The whole Spirit comes upon a person, but some experience more than others.
You have the Holy Spirit, but does He have you?
3. The Spirit uses a person according to their usability.
4. Each leader had what Moses possessed.
5. What was the sudden breaking forth of prophecy? “The Lord came down . . . and took of the spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders” (11:25). Prophecy is threefold: (a) speak forth, boldness, (b) speak fore, prediction, (c) speak for, speak God’s message for Him. These leaders spoke with the same divine authority as Moses.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns .
