The ten alternative plagues

Q: What does the Bible say about complaints and grumbling?

The Bible warns against complaining and grumbling, seeing it as displeasing to God, as shown in Numbers 11:1. In Numbers 11:1, we see that the people of Israel complained, which displeased the Lord. Their complaints stemmed from a lack of gratitude for the manna provided by God, and they reminisced about their time in Egypt, highlighting a common human tendency to overlook current blessings in favor of perceived past comforts. Paul encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of contentment, as seen in Philippians 4:11, where he states that he has learned to be content in all circumstances. The instruction to give thanks in everything is also evident in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, reminding us that true contentment comes from recognizing God's provision and grace, even amid trials.

Q: How do we know God's provision is sufficient?

God’s provision is described as sufficient in Philippians 4:19, assuring us that He will meet all our needs. Philippians 4:19 clearly states, 'My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' This is a profound assurance that God is aware of our circumstances and is committed to providing for His people as they trust in Him. Throughout the wilderness journey of the Israelites, despite their grumbling, God continually provided for them, demonstrating His faithfulness, which serves as a parallel for believers today. The principle of God meeting needs is predicated on our relationship with Him and our reliance on His promises. Sufficient provision stems from a deep faith that recognizes His goodness and sustenance in every situation we face.

Q: Why is leadership stressful according to the Bible?

Leadership can be stressful due to the weight of responsibility, as illustrated by Moses in Numbers 11:14. In Numbers 11:14, Moses expresses the immense pressure he faces in leadership, stating, 'I am not able to bear all this people alone; it is too heavy for me.' This highlights that effective leadership comes with significant burdens, particularly when leaders care deeply for those they lead. Moses' recognition of his limitations is crucial in a biblical understanding of leadership. Jethro's advice in Exodus 18 emphasizes the importance of delegation and the need for support in leadership roles. The stress of leadership is real, but it serves as a reminder for the need of community and the importance of sharing burdens, reflecting the broader principle of encouraging one another within the body of Christ.

Q: What does jealousy mean in a biblical context?

In the Bible, jealousy often manifests as discontent with God's provision, as seen with Miriam in Numbers 12. Miriam and Aaron expressed jealousy towards Moses in Numbers 12, questioning his unique role as God's spokesperson. The passage indicates that jealousy can lead to discontentment with the roles and gifts God has assigned to individuals within His plan. Miriam's jealousy resulted in serious consequences, emphasizing how detrimental such attitudes can be. Instead of envying God’s workings in others, Scripture encourages believers to celebrate diverse gifts and roles within the body of Christ. Paul articulates this in 1 Corinthians 12, demonstrating how every member is necessary and designed for the edification of the church. Understanding and embracing our personal roles helps combat jealousy, fostering a spirit of cooperation instead.

Q: Why is encouragement important for Christians?

Encouragement is vital for Christians as it builds faith and helps us to persevere, as shown in the stories of Caleb and Joshua. The accounts of Caleb and Joshua in Numbers 13-14 illustrate the importance of encouragement among believers. When the ten spies brought back a discouraging report about the land, Caleb and Joshua stood firm in faith, urging the people to trust God’s promise. Their example shows that encouragement can counteract fear and doubt, reminding us of God's faithfulness. Hebrews 10:24-25 similarly instructs believers to provoke one another to love and good works, emphasizing the communal aspect of faith. When Christians support and uplift one another, they promote a culture that not only perseveres through challenges but also advances the Kingdom. This mutual encouragement is essential in maintaining a vibrant faith community.

I want, God willing, this morning and also going into this evening, to look at the character of Moses. Now, there's a lot that can be said about Moses. and it's quite difficult in a way to perhaps condense it down. But I've given the title, The Alternative Ten Plagues. So there's sort of ten points, eventually, where we will do five this morning and five this evening. I don't know, it might be four this morning and six this evening, but we'll try and get through the 10 points. But you'll see why I've given that title in a minute.

Now Moses lived to be 120 years old, with his life traditionally divided into three 40-year segments. 40 years as an Egyptian prince, 40 years as a shepherd in Midian, and 40 years leading the Israelites. He was 80 years old when he confronted Pharaoh and led the Exodus. We get to 80 years old, you might think that's about time we took it easy. get to 80 years old, not so with Moses. Yes, at that age he was to confront Pharaoh and lead the Exodus.

Now he was of course a man of faith. We read that in Hebrews and chapter 11. And verses 23 to 29 say, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Esteeming the reproach of Christ's greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. For he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king. For he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, which the Egyptians are saying to do, were drowned.

And of course, when we think of Moses, we perhaps think very much of the 10 plagues. And in Exodus, you'll need to turn to these, but in Exodus 7 verse 14, right up to Exodus 12 and verse 30, we have a description of those 10 plagues. Blood, frogs, lice, flies, cattle, boils, hell, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn.

So he certainly had an eventful and exciting life. Yes, he met with God in the mount, confronting Pharaoh and the plagues and leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea. So you might say it was an exciting life. And the Lord would lead, protect, and be present with his people in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Yet it was tough. for Moses being leader.

And there were many difficulties along the way. It wasn't all sweetness and light and a bed of roses for him, certainly not. And we'll look at some of the trials that he had, but also not to just not to be negative, but to focus also on the goodness, the provision, the grace, justice, and patience of Almighty God.

So I've got 10 points, and that's why I call them 10 alternative plagues. I mean, you could replace the word plagues by problems or trials or challenges. but it was based on the fact that there were the 10 plagues that we are very familiar with regarding Moses.

We're basically sort of going to go through a number of chapters in the book of Numbers and just make some points from them. So we sort of really stay in the book of Numbers, really start with leaving Sinai to begin journey to the promised land. And it takes us really from Numbers 10 verse 11, right through to Numbers 21 and verse 35. Well, obviously we're not going to be looking at all those chapters, but we'll make sort of some points from a number of them. Now in Numbers chapter 10 and from verse 11, really up to the end of chapter 10, it really was sort of quite a good start really for Moses.

And that's often the way in life, isn't it? You can get off to a good start and then things sort of go a bit pear-shaped, isn't it? I guess we're familiar that it was, you know, it started so well and then it kind of all fell apart. I guess that we often say that in life about things.

Now the first point, Numbers chapter 11 and verse 1. 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 utmost parts of the camp. So the first point really is that people complained. The people complained or grumbled.

And verse five, they were saying there, you know, we remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our soul is dried away. There is nothing at all beside this manna before our eyes. So there was this grumbling, complaining spirit.

Yes, they were remembering the days in Egypt, the good old days. Were they really that good? And so when they had the cucumbers, et cetera, they were remembering perhaps the good old days in Egypt. And then they had the audacity there in verse six, really to complain about this manner that the Lord had given them.

And then we just got this manner. So it's very much like that, isn't it? People can be like that. We say, well, things were much better years ago. And then we perhaps can have the audacity to sort of well, God has provided this for you, and to be unthankful. And we shouldn't be like that, should we? We should recognize what God has given and be thankful for it, not as they were grumbling about that manna.

But I mean, people grumbling, complaining. Well, I'm sure that church leaders have to deal with that. And I'm sure that in general, it's something that we encounter in life. But we should learn, shouldn't we? It's a good thing. Something to learn is to be content.

Philippians 4.11 says, for I've learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. That's a lovely position, a lovely disposition, isn't it? Whatever's going on in life, I'm content. I know the Lord, I know my sins are forgiven. I know he will help me and provide for me, despite all that's going on in life. So it's wonderful to be able to say, well, I'm content. Despite all that might be going on around.

1 Timothy 6.8. There speaks about being content with food and raiment, things that we need. Yes, the Lord will give us what we need. Not all that we want, but all that we need, the Lord will give.

1 Timothy 6.6 says, Godliness with contentment is great gain. That's good to have those two married together, a godliness and a contentment. And real contentment comes in knowing God and having a relationship with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5.18 says, In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for us. In it, not for everything, but in everything, in every situation, give thanks.

And Habakkuk 3.17 and 18 says, Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive shall fail, the field shall yield no meat, the frog shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. So one thing after the other there.

Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. Despite all this loss, And of course, Job knew that, didn't he? Of all that he went through, as we read in the book of Job, at the beginning of that book. That all these things, you know, I'm going without. And there's sort of one thing after the other.

Yet, if we are the laws, we can't lose our salvation might be a sense of perhaps the joy might go a little bit. We can't lose our salvation. We are forgiven. We know that by the grace of God, we're going to a better place one day. And so may there be that joy in our hearts for the salvation that we have. to be able to say, I'm forgiven. I won't be going to hell, I'm going to heaven by the grace of God. That's a wonderful thing to know, whoever we are, that our sins are forgiven and we're all sinners. The Bible tells us quite clearly that we are all sinners and come short and fall short. of the glory of God.

Paul tells us in Philippians 4.4, doesn't he, to rejoice in the Lord always, and then he re-emphasizes it, and again I say rejoice. So rejoice, but I just want to bring it home to you, rejoice again. But we know, going back to numbers, God was obviously displeased. We saw that in verse one of chapter 11.

But despite his displeasure and showing it, he still cared and provided for the people. with the quails in verse 32 of Numbers 11. The people stood up all that day and all that night and all the next day and they gathered the quails. He that gathered least gathered ten homers and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.

So the Lord, despite their complaining and murmuring and murmuring and audacity to sort of say, why have you given us this Lord? Yet the God still cared for them and provided for them. And Philippines 419, my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. So it's good, isn't it, to we should be those not grumbling or complaining. I'm sure perhaps there are those that we can think of in life that perhaps they're never happier unless they're in a moan.

And I remember years ago, we had an auntie. Well, she wasn't actually an auntie, but my mum was very old school. And you weren't to address somebody by their Christian name. You either say Mr. or Mrs., or if you did address them by their Christian name, you put an auntie or uncle on at the beginning, even though they weren't actually an auntie or an uncle. And we had an auntie, a family friend.

She certainly was somebody, every time we visit her, she always moaned and groaned about things. If she lived today, she would have a field day, if she was alive today. But we went to see her the night, this is 1984, And we went off to church to see her. And it was a night that Tommy Cooper, the entertainer, the comedian, some of the older people may remember, when he died on stage, and people thought he was part of the act. until they realised that she'd had a heart attack and he died on stage. And that happened just before we arrived at seeing this auntie. So you can be sure that that night, that evening, she certainly was more depressing than normal.

But sometimes people, I remember somebody, a dear lady, another lady I used to know, who, I mean, she was so sweet, but she would always go on about all the things that were wrong with her. But she was a dear lady. But then on the other end of the scale, I sort of know of somebody, I haven't met the person, but a person who's got serious health problems. and problems also in his church.

We only communicate by letter, so I've never met him, probably will never meet him in this life. But he mentions as a fact what's wrong, but then the letter oozes with joy, with thankfulness to God. and His grace and His mercy. And that's so lovely. I'd love to meet this person. As I say, I probably won't meet him in this life. But it's so encouraging to that.

And I'm sure also that we know You know, we know people that perhaps are both ends of the scale, those who moan and groan and those who could moan and groan, but are so full of joy and so positive and so trusting in the Lord. And that does us good to have communication like that. And it's always a joy to read this person's letter.

So moaning and groaning is the first point. I haven't got very far so far. I'll probably just try and get through four this morning. The second one is in Numbers 11 and verse 14, where it says, I'm not able to bear all this people alone because it is too heavy for me. And so the second plague is stress and pressure of leadership.

Moses, as we all do, we have a threshold. Whether you're a leader or not, we all have a kind of a threshold. And with Moses, it was recognized by Jephro, his father-in-law. We read about that in Exodus 18. and 17 and 18, and Moses' father-in-law said unto him, the thing that thou doest is not good, thou will surely wear away both thou and this people that is with thee, for this thing is too heavy for thee, thou are not able to perform it thyself alone. And Moses did amid that, perhaps somebody lovingly tells us look you're doing too much this is too this is too much for you you need help and maybe perhaps we don't know i'm all right i can cope all right but then after a while we give it thought and we say yeah I do need help.

I'm thankful for that person recognising, and very often that's the case, isn't it? That sometimes we don't see ourselves, perhaps an issue, and other people outside can see it. And they can see, yeah, they see something differently to us. And we should be thankful when people then say, well, I don't think you should be doing this, or you need help, or that person is not suitable for you. And it's good, isn't it, to respond in grace to these people.

And so it was with Moses, with the advice of his father-in-law, Jephro. And we read, didn't we, of God providing 70 elders in Numbers 11, 16 and 17. And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me 70 men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them, and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. and I will come down and talk with thee there, and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee.

Thou bear it not thyself, alone. And also, there was an encouragement to Moses to keep going in his leadership. God reaffirmed, didn't he, Moses' leadership. Yes, you need help, but you're a good leader. But you just need some help and you just need some support. So these men are going to help. I say it's good, isn't it, for those to come alongside and help or advise. And then thirdly, in Numbers chapter 12 and verses 1 to 5.

There we read, and Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, have the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Have he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.

And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, called Aaron and Miriam. And they both came forth.

So in this first, in this third point, we have the word jealousy. Jealousy. So Miriam, Moses' sister, the prophetess, and Aaron, the high priest, Moses' brother. Now Miriam's jealousy was the greater. Micah 7.6 speaks of man's enemies being of his own house. And Aaron's will was weak. And we compare that with the incident of the golden calf, when Aaron really caved in to the pressure of the people there in Exodus 32. And the jealousy concerned, one, Moses' marriage to an Ethiopian, presumably Zipporah, had died. So there was jealousy concerning that.

And secondly, Moses being the sole spokesperson for God. Verse two, hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Well, we read that Moses was very meek, which is not weak, far opposite to that. He was meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. And he showed his strength in not sort of having a go and defending himself or fighting back. He basically left it to God. And of course, in the end, Miriam was played with leprosy as we read further on in this chapter.

But that's a great thing, can't it? Jealousy. Why are you doing this and not me? and but when we look perhaps at ourselves as a fellowship let's think we all have gifts don't we god has given us gifts each one of us different gifts and that that's that's that's a it's a wonderful blessing to have different gifts whether it might be preaching or teaching in the Sunday school, or playing an instrument. If you asked me to play the organ, it'd be disaster. You asked me to play the organ.

But, and then there were those who are good at administration and those who are good at organizing things. And may it be that There isn't a jealousy, there is that working together and using our skills and the talents that God has given us for the good of one another, for the glory of God.

It's wonderful, isn't it, then, that how our gifts can all sort of work in harmony with one another. It wouldn't be good if if everybody was good at one thing and not very good at anything else. Now, you know, you would say, and certainly here, you know, we have all bases covered, as it were, as there are those who have different gifts for different things. And so say we've got all bases covered. It's a real blessing for that, isn't it? But as Moses showed great strength in basically letting God vindicate him and not sort of himself sort of trying to sort of react.

And I'm sure that would have not been very good at all to have done that. So we have grumbling, complaining spirit, the stress and pressure of leadership, jealousy. And we've just finished with this one for this morning. A fourth one is discouragement. Really, that's numbers 13 and 14, which we didn't read and we won't read it now. maybe just refer to one or two verses.

And there it speaks about the 10 spies bringing back an evil report. Yet we've read of Caleb and Joshua bringing back a good report. Whereas the 10 of those spies, they don't know that we can't conquer that land, that people are too many and too strong, but not so with Caleb or Joshua. In chapter 13 of Numbers and verse 30, Caleb still the people before Moses said, let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched, unto the children of Israel, saying, The land through which we have gone to search it is a land that Edith up the inhabitants thereof, and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants. And we were in our own side as grasshoppers. And so we were in their sight. So there was discouragement there. So, you know, there's a sort of a complaining spirit, a discouragement, we can't do that. But of course, Caleb, was different and also Joshua as well. So we're thankful for that.

In chapter 14 of Numbers and verse 24, but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him and have followed me fully, him will I bring into the land we're into, he went and his seed shall possess it. And later Joshua, in Joshua 14. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh Barnea. Forty years old was I when I When forty years old was I, when Moses, a servant of the Lord, sent me from Kedesh Baneer to spy out the land, and I brought him word again, as it was in mine heart.

Nevertheless, my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord. My God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance and thy children's forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.

So Caleb and Joshua, they weren't defeatists. Perhaps there was an exaggeration from the 10 that didn't bring a good report. Great big people there and we're little. I'm sure there was an exaggeration too, but there was discouragement. But we give thanks for Caleb and Joshua who said, no, we can go up.

The Lord will help us. And that's good to be those who encourage, not discourage. To encourage us. Don't be discouraged. Look to the Lord. He will help you. Look to the Lord. He will strengthen you. He's bigger than your problems. The problems might be big, but the Lord is bigger and greater. And the Lord will help. With Caleb there was another spirit and may there be another spirit also with us. We know God would judge the unbelievers who remained unconvinced by Caleb's optimism.

And we read, don't we, just finally in Psalm 42.5 What thou cast down, O my soul, and what thou disquieted in me, hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Cast down or downcast, the same thing. Some translations have it as downcast, just you swapping the word round, but it's kind of the same thing, isn't it? discouraged or in despair. There's so many words on there that begin with D that are negative sort of words. Despair, downcast, death, destruction, dismay. There's so many words and they all begin with D. And of course discouragement.

And recognizing when people are under pressure, not sort of just sort of getting alongside them, not necessarily wanting to take over, but offering some sort of help or just being there, saying, look, I'm there for you. May we also work together and not be jealous, but recognise the gifts that God has given. to us and to use them for his glory. Well we'll leave the thoughts there. We've done four and we'll do God willing the other six points this evening. Well I've run out of my bit of paper so that's a convenient place I think to close. So we'll leave that there for this morning.

Amen. Let's close in singing our final hymn from Gadsby's hymn number 152. I am, says Christ, the way. Now if we credit him, all other paths must lead astray, how fair so e'er they seem. Gadsby's 152, June 69. ♪ Our houses Christ the way ♪ ♪ Now that we credit Him ♪ ♪ All other paths must lead astray ♪ ♪ How best to her they see ♪ ♪ Triumphs his Christ the true ♪ ♪ Yellow and black's his test ♪ ♪ Proceeded from that angel's mouth ♪ ♪ His paths they high and free ♪ ♪ Zion's its Christ alive ♪ ♪ Let this be seen by faith ♪ ♪ It follows without a strife ♪ ♪ Let hope be sighted there ♪ ♪ With all those parts of love ♪ ♪ The Holy Ghost above ♪ ♪ The simplest Christian shall not know ♪ ♪ Of the discipline of faith ♪ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and always. Amen.

The ten alternative plagues

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about complaints and grumbling?

How do we know God's provision is sufficient?

Why is leadership stressful according to the Bible?

What does jealousy mean in a biblical context?

Why is encouragement important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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The ten alternative plagues

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about complaints and grumbling?

How do we know God's provision is sufficient?

Why is leadership stressful according to the Bible?

What does jealousy mean in a biblical context?

Why is encouragement important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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