BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusનમૂનો

Have you ever given your entire soul to something? Translators often use “soul” for the Hebrew word nephesh, which can refer to a person’s whole self. As you learn in the video, humans are supposed to love God with all their nephesh. But in today’s reading, we see the Israelites turn away from God and start grumbling with all their nephesh.

It feels like Israel barely makes it off Mount Sinai before their groaning starts up again. First, the people complain about their food. They claim they’re so sick of manna that returning to brutal slavery for some cucumbers makes more sense to them. Then Moses’ siblings, Miriam and Aaron, complain about his leadership. Finally, the grumbling nation arrives at the border of the promised land.

Before entering, Moses wants to send 12 spies to see if the land is good or bad, and he asks them to bring back some of its fruit (Num. 13:18-20). Notice the hyperlinks to the Eden narrative—seeing and taking, good and bad, and choosing fruit. Moses is following the poor choices of Adam and Eve by deciding that he and his spies will determine what is good and bad instead of trusting God’s wisdom.

Moses’ lack of trust in God here creates a tension point in the narrative: Will the people truly trust God, or will they decide for themselves what’s good and bad?

Reflection Questions

• The Hebrew word used to describe the Israelites’ desire for different food in Numbers 11:4 is the same word used for Eve’s desire for the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3:6. What other connections do you see between Numbers 11 and the narrative in Genesis 2-3?
• Where else in the biblical story have you seen people decide to trade something priceless or sacred for food or a simple meal? What happened?