Numbers

Numbers 11: God hears and answers His people

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the complaints God heard in Israel’s camp, let us bring our own hearts before Him honestly. Ask Him for gratitude, for help in our weakness and for trust in Jesus.

They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire.

Psalm 78:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to bring our needs to You without despising Your care, and show us the mercy of Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

When Israel complains, God’s fire burns among them until Moses prays and the fire stops. The people then weep for meat and remember Egypt’s food while despising the manna God provides. Moses tells the Lord that the burden is too heavy for him and asks to die. God gives His Spirit to seventy elders to share the work, including two who prophesy in the camp. Then He brings quails by a wind, enough to answer the people’s craving. While the meat is still between their teeth, He strikes them with a great plague, and those who craved are buried.

As you read Numbers 11, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God hears His people and shows His power in mercy and judgment.

Israel’s complaints reach the ears of the God who has been feeding them. Their longing for Egypt turns His rescue into something they regret. Their complaint rejects the Lord who lives among them. Moses also brings his burden to God, admitting that he cannot carry the people alone. God answers him by giving His Spirit to elders who can share the work. The same power brings meat for the people, and the same holiness sends judgment on their craving. Please help your children distinguish asking God for help from rejecting the care He has given.

How does Numbers 11 show us that God hears His people and shows His power in mercy and judgment?

God hears complaints that reject His care.

The people remember Egypt’s food while speaking against the manna God gives them each night. They say life was good in the place where they were slaves. God calls this a rejection of Himself, and their craving ends in judgment.

God gives His Spirit to help His weary servant.

Moses cannot carry this people alone, and God appoints elders to share the burden. The Spirit rests on them, enabling them to serve. When two prophesy in the camp, Moses welcomes God’s gift and wishes the whole people could receive it.

God’s power is enough to do all He says.

Moses cannot see how such a great company could receive meat for a month. God answers by asking whether His hand has grown short. The wind that brings quails proves His power, and the plague proves that rejecting Him is serious.

Memorise

Yahweh said to Moses, “Has Yahweh’s hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not.”

Numbers 11:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do my complaints reveal about my need for Jesus and His mercy?

God asks Moses, “Has Yahweh’s hand grown short?” His power has not failed, even when His people reject His care. The food they demand comes, and so does the judgment their craving deserves.

Our ungrateful hearts also need mercy. Jesus suffered for His people, carrying their sin and enduring God’s anger on the cross. He rose from death after completing the rescue they could never achieve. His sacrifice pays their whole debt and is enough to reconcile them to God.

So turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Forgiveness is found in the Savior who knows the weakness of those He saves. Please bring Him your needs and your ingratitude. His mercy teaches His people to ask for help and to thank the Father for His daily care.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Moses’ wish to die was wrong, and any child who feels that way should tell a trusted adult. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His power never fails and His mercy hears the weak, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven.

John 6:32

Lord God, forgive our ungrateful complaints against Your care. Thank You for hearing those who cry for help. Please turn each of us from sin and teach us to trust Jesus. Help us to ask You for strength, receive help with gratitude and thank You for daily bread. Amen.