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affliction

Numbers 11:11-15
11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast Thou afflicted Thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in Thy sight, that Thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that Thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which Thou swarest unto their fathers?
13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
15 And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in Thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

Everyone is unhappy!
The Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt and are wandering through the desert. Day after day they are eating manna. For every meal they are eating manna. And, they are sick and tired of manna! We read with amazement, to think our next meal would just fall from heaven! How could something like that get old?

The people were NOT just a little bothered by living off manna alone. They were very open and public with their complaints. God is angry because of the Israelites ingratitude to Him for rescuing them and their contempt of the manna He has provided. Moses is displeased with the people and with the Lord for laying this great burden upon him. 

Today's verses detail Moses' complaints and frustrations; "And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast Thou AFFLICTED Thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in Thy sight, that Thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?" 

These verses reveal the agonized state of mind Moses was in. He is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of his office. This is a distressing situation with millions of people under his care with no means of satisfying their demands. Moses' shares more with GOD; "Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that Thou shouldest say unto me, CARRY THEM in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which Thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in Thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness." Moses in such dire straights that he wishes that he was dead! He sees no way out of this situation. He is giving up hope, even though he has the ear of the Creator of the Universe!
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