The Fire of Taberah
Three months after crossing the Red Sea and receiving freedom from Egyptian bondage by the merciful right hand of God, the children of Israel approached Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:1-2). While there, they received the Ten Commandments, the Law of Moses, and specific instructions relating to the construction of a tabernacle, which they built and dedicated nine months later, the first month of the second year (Ex. 40:17). Thus, the book of Exodus closes with merely an introduction into the formation of the nation of Israel under the watchful care of God. The third book of the Pentateuch—Leviticus—basically is an interlude in the historical details of the formation of Israel, wherein we have a more detailed account of the worship manual for the children of Abraham, and specifically, the tribe of Levi. Thus, from a historical perspective, the narrative picks up with the book of our focus in this issue (the book of Numbers), and only one month has passed since the events that Moses recorded at the end of Exodus—we now come to the second month of the second year. The first ten chapters record the final preparations for their departure from Mount Sinai, which happens on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year. After encamping for almost an entire year at the base of Mount Sinai, they begin their journey to the Promised Land. Herein is the setting for our account, from which we may draw our lessons to learn:
“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the Lord burnt among them.” (Num. 11:1-3)
We learn that Satan will not wait long until temptation occurs. This place that Moses will name Taberah is the first stop on their journey where they encounter their first temptation to sin through complaining. From the close of the previous chapter, we note that they had only journeyed three days (Num. 10:33). After almost a year of preparation and instruction, it was just three days before they sinned! Such illustrates the problem of humanity and the perils of faith.
A second lesson that we learn revolves around the sin of complaining. The ASV translates the first verse of Numbers 11, “And the people were as murmurers, speaking evil in the ears of Jehovah….” While Moses did not record a reason for their complaints, evidently there is some grumbling and complaining on their part. Perhaps it was due to the traveling. Perhaps it was due to their impatience. Perhaps it was due to their inconveniences. Regardless, we learn that complaining illustrates a sinful inward attitude that God hears! The disposition of mind that indicates discontent and complaining angers our Lord. How easy is it to complain? It is very easy. Nevertheless, how dangerous is it to complain? The fire of Taberah indicates that it is very dangerous! The reason that complaining is so dangerous is that it indicates an inward attitude that is not in harmony with what the Bible teaches (Phil. 4:4-13).
From the context that follows, we can presume that complaining leads to unlawful desires that may correlate with a life of ease and convenience. One of the greatest problems that we all face is looking for life to be easy and to avoid some of the responsibilities that belong to Christianity (Luke 9:23). Generally, we do not like inconveniences, difficulties and hardships that come from serving God, and we may fall prey to the temptation of complaining and lusting after the comforts of this world whenever we face such (Matt. 4:1-4).
A final lesson that we may learn is that the sin of complaining is contagious, which we see throughout this particular chapter of emphasis. We see the complaining of the Israelites (Num. 11:1) spread to the complaining of “the mixed multitude” that directly relates to their lusting (Num. 11:4-6). Not only this, but later, we see Moses complaining to God under the pressures and stresses of leadership (Num. 11:10-15). In other words, very often, a few can influence a great number. Sin grows until it is checked, and unless stopped, it will continue to spread and grow. Their sin grew out of distrust in God, which resulted in discontent, dissatisfaction and disobedience.
May we learn these (and many more) lessons from the fire of Taberah!