04-Numbers 011

Numbers 11

v.11

Why have You afflicted Your servant?

o        Don’t Read – Paraphrase: Moses responded to God the way many of us do in a time of trial. He essentially said, “God, here I am serving You. Why did You bring this upon me?” It’s easy to say God did not bring this upon Moses - a carnal and ungrateful people did. Yet, though God did not directly afflict Moses with this, He ultimately allowed it.

o        God allowed this for the same reason God allows any affliction in our lives - to compel us to trust in Him all the more, to partner with Him in overcoming obstacles, and to love and praise Him all the more through our increased dependence on Him and the greater deliverance He brings.

§         That no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this (1 Thessalonians 3:3).

o        Of course, it is very hard to see this in the midst of the affliction; we feel like Moses did: Why have I not found favor in Your sight? “If You really loved me Lord, why would You bring all this upon me?” God’s response is ever the same: “It’s because I do love you that I am training you, building you up in faith.”

v.15

If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now

o        Don’t Read – Paraphrase: Moses was extremely frustrated. He poured out and emotional, pained, fed-up, “I’m sick and tired of this” heart to the Lord. “If You really love me Lord, kill me right now” is not a correct prayer from the head, but it is a honest prayer from the heart.

o        God will not answer Moses’ request; but He will answer the prayer of his heart. When we are overwhelmed with such feelings, it is good for us to take them to the Lord, and let go of them, rather than brooding on them ourselves.