111 Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord ; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled , and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp . 2 The people therefore cried out to Moses , and Moses prayed to the Lord and the fire died out. 3 So the name of that place was called Taberah , because the fire of the Lord burned among them.
4 The rabble who were among them had greedy desires e ; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said , " Who will give us meat to eat ? 5 " We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt , the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic , 6 but now our appetite is gone . There is nothing at all to look at except this manna ." 7 Now the manna was like coriander seed , and its appearance like that of bdellium . 8 The people would go about and gather it and grind it between two millstones or beat it in the mortar , and boil it in the pot and make cakes with it; and its taste was as the taste of cakes baked with oil . 9 When the dew fell on the camp at night , the manna would fall with it. 10 Now Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families , each man at the doorway of his tent ; and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly , and Moses was displeased e . 11 So Moses said to the Lord , "Why have You been so hard on Your servant ? And why have I not found favor in Your sight , that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? 12 "Was it I who conceived all this people ? Was it I who brought them forth , that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant , to the land which You swore to their fathers '? 13 "Where e am I to get meat to give to all this people ? For they weep before me, saying , 'Give us meat that we may eat !' 14 " I alone am not able to carry all this people , because it is too burdensome for me. 15 " So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once , if I have found favor in Your sight , and do not let me see my wretchedness ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 11:1-15
Commentary on Numbers 11:1-3
(Read Numbers 11:1-3)
Here is the people's sin; they complained. See the sinfulness of sin, which takes occasion from the commandment to be provoking. The weakness of the law discovered sin, but could not destroy it; checked, but could not conquer it. They complained. Those who are of a discontented spirit, will always find something to quarrel or fret about, though the circumstances of their outward condition be ever so favourable. The Lord heard it, though Moses did not. God knows the secret frettings and murmurings of the heart, though concealed from men. What he noticed, he was much displeased with, and he chastised them for this sin. The fire of their wrath against God burned in their minds; justly did the fire of God's wrath fasten on their bodies; but God's judgments came on them gradually, that they might take warning. It appeared that God delights not in punishing; when he begins, he is soon prevailed with to let it fall.
Commentary on Numbers 11:4-9
(Read Numbers 11:4-9)
Man, having forsaken his proper rest, feels uneasy and wretched, though prosperous. They were weary of the provision God had made for them, although wholesome food and nourishing. It cost no money or care, and the labour of gathering it was very little indeed; yet they talked of Egypt's cheapness, and the fish they ate there freely; as if that cost them nothing, when they paid dearly for it with hard service! While they lived on manna, they seemed exempt from the curse sin has brought on man, that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread; yet they speak of it with scorn. Peevish, discontented minds will find fault with that which has no fault in it, but that it is too good for them. Those who might be happy, often make themselves miserable by discontent. They could not be satisfied unless they had flesh to eat. It is evidence of the dominion of the carnal mind, when we want to have the delights and satisfaction of sense. We should not indulge in any desire which we cannot in faith turn into prayer, as we cannot when we ask meat for our lust. What is lawful of itself becomes evil, when God does not allot it to us, yet we desire it.
Commentary on Numbers 11:10-15
(Read Numbers 11:10-15)
The provocation was very great; yet Moses expressed himself otherwise than became him. He undervalued the honour God had put upon him. He magnified his own performances, while he had the Divine wisdom to direct him, and Almighty power to dispense rewards and punishments. He speaks distrustfully of the Divine grace. Had the work been much less he could not have gone through it in his own strength; but had it been much greater, through God strengthening him, he might have done it. Let us pray, Lord, lead us not into temptation.