Today's readings: Numbers 11, Deuteronomy 10, and Psalm 33.
I. And the Israelites begin today's reading in Numbers by loudly complaining. This displeases God and He sends fire that burns the outskirts of the camp. The people cry out to Moses, who prays and the fire stops (11:1-3). After this and everything else they had witnessed, you'd think they wouldn't be so brazen and selfish. Nope. We humans have a long history of shamelessness, even with our Creator. The Israelites grew tired of manna, the miraculous food God provided daily, and complained further about the lack of meat and others foods they were used to in Egypt (11:4-9). Poor Moses became overwhelmed by the people’s constant complaints. He expressed deep frustration to God, even asking to die rather than continue carrying the burden alone (11:10-15). God heard Moses and showed him mercy, first telling him to gather seventy elders of Israel to assist him with the burden command (11:16-30). Then next, God sent a massive flock of quail to satisfy the people’s craving for meat. However, while they were still eating, a severe plague struck as judgment for their greed and ingratitude (11:31-35).
II. Deuteronomy 10 recounts Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf while emphasizing God’s mercy, covenant, and what He requires of His people. So God renewed the covenant despite Israel’s sin, and the Law remained central to Israel’s relationship with Him. Best verse in this chapter:
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. (10:16).
That is, God desires inward obedience and transformation, not merely external ritual. To me, this foreshadows the fuller New Testament understanding of being transformed by grace into communion with God (2 Cor 3:18; 2 Pet 1:4).
III. Psalm 33 is one of praise for God. As the Ignatius Bible notes:
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