Numbers 11:
1Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out. 3So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them. 4The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, "Who will give us meat to eat? 5"We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, 6but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna."
Do you remember how the people set out on their journey with desire and expectancy? It didn't take long for the grumbling to begin. Even after God sent fire, those who had greedy desires started complaining about the food and it didn't take long for the who camp to join in. Have you noticed how contagious grumbling is? It takes just a few negative words to spark a complete rebellion against the Lord. Moses even caught the disease. "Now Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, each man at the doorway of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the LORD, 'Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers?' Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, 'Give us meat that we may eat!' I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me." (v. 10-14)
Each time God responded to the grumbling with anger but not anger that is without love. His love still shows through in His response to His people. He continues to feed them, comfort them and lead them, in the midst of His anger. God promised meat for a whole month and Moses doubted whether God could do that for so large a crowd. I love how God answered with a smile. "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not." (v. 23) He then followed through on His promise and sent the quail.
In chapter 12 it is Aaron and Mariam who complain. "And they said, 'Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?' And the LORD heard it.'" God dealt with their complaints as well. He took the three aside and talked to them in private.
6He said,
"Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision
I shall speak with him in a dream.
7"Not so, with My servant Moses,
He is faithful in all My household;
8With him I speak mouth to mouth,
Even openly, and not in dark sayings,
And he beholds the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant, against Moses?"
9So the anger of the LORD burned against them and He departed. 10But when the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. As Aaron turned toward Miriam, behold, she was leprous.
Even after they repented of their sin God let her stay in that condition for seven days. But then He healed her. As you can guess, Hebrews is in the background of my mind and I see how consistant and loving God's discipline is. His anger burns with love, not selfishness. What a difference than man's anger. Man's anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God. (James 1:20) but God's anger accomplishes His love. "He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10)