Free group study handout
Numbers 11: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Numbers 11 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
The people complain, and Yahweh's anger burns, resulting in fire consuming the outskirts of the camp (vv. 1-3). A mixed multitude among them craves meat, and the Israelites remember the food they had in Egypt, longing for it (vv.
Key verse
“While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, Yahweh’s anger burned against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.”
Numbers 11:33 (WEB)
Outline
- Numbers 11:1–3 Complaints and Consequences
- Numbers 11:4–6 Desire for Meat
- Numbers 11:7–9 Manna Described
- Numbers 11:10–15 Moses’ Distress
- Numbers 11:16–23 Selection of Elders
- Numbers 11:24–30 Empowerment of Elders
- Numbers 11:31–35 Provision of Quail and Plague
Discussion questions
- In v4, what are the people asking for when they complain to Moses?
- What does Moses say to God in v15 when expressing his distress?
- God's promise about meat in vv. 18-20: what does this indicate about the people's rejection?
- In v29, why does Moses express a wish for all Yahweh's people to be prophets?
- When have you felt burdened like Moses in v14, unable to bear a situation alone?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Numbers 11: Luke 1, Exodus 16, Psalm 78.
Before next time: read Numbers 12.