The Spirit and the Quail

Numbers 11 records the first of several rebellions on the journey from Sinai. The people complained in the hearing of Yahweh, and fire burned at the edge of the camp until Moses prayed. The place was named Taberah, meaning burning. Soon the mixed multitude among them lusted exceedingly, and Israel wept: Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing. They despised the manna, though it fell with the dew every night.

Moses brought an honest and painful prayer. He asked why God had laid the burden of all this people on him, as if he had given birth to them. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. God responded with grace. He took of the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on seventy elders, who prophesied. Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp, and when Joshua urged Moses to forbid them, Moses replied, I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!

God also promised meat for a whole month. When Moses doubted, God asked, Has Yahweh's hand grown short? A wind brought quail from the sea in great numbers. But while the meat was still between their teeth, a plague struck, and the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, the graves of craving. Psalm 78 later reflects on this event as a warning against testing God. On the day of Pentecost, Peter announced that God had poured out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17), fulfilling Moses' wish.