Poor Moses. Can these people ever be satisfied? You feel kinda sorry for him - their wonderful leader and go-between. It's a wonder he didn't give up! So, he cried out to God, and God gave Moses some assistance - the "seventy elders" from the tribes and poured on them "part" of the Spirit of Moses. He did not take away from Moses, but provided more to them. They were full of wisdom and experience to help Moses lead and guide in civil and spiritual matters. It says that two of the seventy did not "come out" to the tent of meeting. Wonder why? Perhaps they did not feel adequate or maybe they were modest. But remember when God calls you to a task, He equips you for it.
The Fussing OK, here are Miriam and Aaron - the prophetess and the high priest - starting to complain and criticize Moses - their brother. Over what? Were they jealous of him or wanting to have more leadership themselves? Did they not like the "seventy elders" he had picked and were afraid that their influence might be diminished? They pointed their finger at Moses' wife saying he had married outside their people. One Bible reference I read says that it was Zipporah the Midionite - the wife he had had from the beginning - not some second wife he
had taken, and that the name "Cush" was often referred to as another name for the land of Midian. The dire consequences of this complaint - the chief instigator of the fuss - Miriam - became leprous. I wonder if Aaron was in shock when he witnessed that and maybe thought that he was next? Moses, again, goes to the Lord in their behalf, asking for her healing Why was Miriam struck and not Aaron? Perhaps the Lord deals more severely with those that mislead rather than those that are misled.
The Fruits So here we are on the border of the land of Canaan, the land promised to the people by God. Remember this story from when you were young and the pictures it brings to mind? The Lord told Moses to send out twelve spies to search out the whole land. The report came back - but instead of being excited and anxious to move ahead to the land flowing with milk and honey, ten of the twelve (all except Caleb and Joshua) are quaking in their boots. They tote back a cluster of grapes weighing 10-12 lbs. (grapes the size of prunes), and they report that the land is filled with giants, and they probably won't be able to conquer the land. This report exaggerated the size of the people of Canaan. The sons of Anak, I read, were "probably a select body of warriors chosen for their large size." And the people of Anak were "unusually tall." However, this was just a portion of the people - not all of them. They forgot who was on their side.
Do we not do the same? Caleb says we are well able to overcome it. Could we only remember that phrase?
Unbelief overlooks the promises and power of God,
magnifies every danger and difficulty,
fills the heart with discouragement.
May the Lord help us to believe!
We shall then find all things possible.
(Matthew Henry Commentary on Numbers 13)
