1. Complaining people (1-15)

One mark of a slave mentality is a complaining spirit. The people of Israel had been delivered from bondage by the almighty power of God, but they forgot God and complained about the food. They wanted an easy and secure life, even if it were a life of slavery. A complaining mind is sin. God's will for his people is that they be thankful in all circumstances (1Th 5:18). Moses didn't know what to do, so he prayed. He laid his burden before the Lord.

2. God's answer (16-35)

God established and empowered under-shepherds who could share the burden of responsibility with Moses. Moses was glad that God gave his Spirit to the seventy elders. Then God worked a great miracle. He gave the complaining people so much meat that it ran out their noses. However, he punished the greedy people with a plague.

Application: Lord, give me a thankful heart for your grace, and give me your Spirit so that I can serve you as a responsible shepherd.
One Word: O that all the Lord's people were prophets!