Was Moses Really Humble?

How can Numbers 12:3, with its emphasis on Moses' humility, be an authentic comment from Moses' own pen?

One scholar, Haley (Alleged Discrepancies, p. 248), makes this observation with regard to this:

“Moses, under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, was writing history 'objectively.' Hence he speaks as freely of himself as he would of any other person. It is also to be observed that he records his own faults and sins with the same fidelity and impartiality.”

So far as Numbers 12:3 is concerned, it should be observed that Moses' failure to speak in his own defense, even when put under great pressure by Aaron and Miriam to lose his temper, calls for special explanation. That explanation is found in his complete deliverance from pride and his thoroughgoing commitment of himself to the Lord God as his vindicator and protector. Any other leader in his position would surely have faced them with a withering reply, but Moses turned the matter completely over to God. We really need the information contained in v.3 in order to make sense of his amazing meekness in this situation.

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

Why Was God So Strict About Complaining?

Why was God so strict about “complaining” (Numbers 21:5-6)?

The people’s complaining was symptomatic of a much deeper problem: distrust of God. Their verbal barrage assaulted God’s character. Israel refused to take God at his word.

–The Quest Study Bible

Why Did God Punish People for Eating Quail in Numbers 11?

How could God punish the Israelites for eating the quail He had miraculously provided as their food (Numbers 11:31-34)?

If we read the whole account of Numbers 11 carefully, we can understand why God was so highly displeased with the Hebrew malcontents who were tired of His daily supply of manna and longed for meat and vegetables in their diet (verses 4-9). God gave them what they were asking for, thus bringing them to see how foolish they were to despise the good and sufficient food He had apportioned them in favor of that which they chose for themselves. In other words, in order to teach them a much-needed lesson, God saw fit to give the discontented rabble exactly what they asked for–rather than that which would be best for them. Such a huge number of dead birds would speedily begin to rot in that hot desert, despite the people’s best efforts to convert them into dried meat that could be preserved. There is little wonder that they began to suffer from food poisoning and disease as soon as they began chewing this unaccustomed food. In the end a great many of them died of plague and had to be buried right there in the desolate wilderness, at Qibrot Hatt'avah, “The Graves of Greed."

–Dictionary of Bible Difficulties

Why Were Such Specific Instructions Given how the Tribes Should Travel and Camp?

Why such specific instructions on how the tribes should travel and camp (Numbers 10:11-28)?

There is powerful imagery and meaning in the way Israel camped and traveled. The plan God gave was one that kept the tabernacle (a symbol of God’s presence) in the very middle of their lives. When they camped, the tabernacle was in the center of the camp. As a matter of fact, all the doors of the tents were to open toward the tabernacle. When they traveled, the tabernacle was central in their procession. This is a powerful reminder of the need to realize that God should be central in every aspect of our lives. This picture should encourage us to evaluate our lives and make sure God is at the center of all we do.

–Kevin Harney