Numbers 11:18-23

Why is the promise of meat also a warning?

Berean Standard Bible

18 And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat. 19 You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” 21 But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ 22 If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” 23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

What is the context?

The Lord promises enough meat to make the people sick of it, while stating the reason for His anger: they have rejected Him and said they were better off in Egypt. Receiving the desired thing will not prove that their rejection was right.

Moses asks how such a large company can be fed. The Lord answers by challenging the supposed limit to His power and saying Moses will see whether His word comes to pass. The account distinguishes the size of the need from the Lord’s ability to act.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley sees a warning in desires being granted in a way that becomes judgment. The text’s answer to Moses centers on the Lord’s power, while its answer to the people centers on their rejection of His presence. Those two concerns should be held together.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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