Numbers — Chapter 11

Why is the Bible relevant to modern humanity? In this sermon from Numbers 11:4–6 titled “The Condition of Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this very question by reminding the listener that the moral problems of society are nothing new and are really problems of humanity in general. The many efforts of humanity to fix and diagnose their own problems are all in vain and misplaced. Scripture not only tells what the problem is, but also the answer. Humanity is fundamentally fallen and therefore evil. According to the Bible, people have rebelled against God and rejected His law and rule. The answer is not more moralizing, but it is the gospel. The answer to the deepest moral dilemmas is in the fact that God has sent His own Son to die for sins. God made a way for sinners to be redeemed and reconciled to Him. This new life changes hearts and minds so that men and women now desire what is true and godly. What does this sermon mean for humanity? It is the declaration that sin and depravity can only be overcome by the gospel. This sermon also tells of Jesus Christ who is the only Savior that God granted to the world.

How has sin affected humanity and their reasoning? Many scorn the ideas of God, Jesus, and the need for salvation and say that no rational person can possibly be a Christian. In this sermon on Numbers 11:4–6 titled “The Mind of Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that Scripture has a very different idea of what it means to be reasonable. After the people of Israel are set free from bondage in Egypt, they quickly begin complaining that they do not have the food and comfort that they had while they were slaves. This is wholly irrational, but it serves to show that humans are fallen, and sin has affected minds and hearts. It is rational to believe that God has sent Jesus into the world and He died, but people are blinded to this truth until God graciously opens the eyes to see Him and believe Him. Humanity’s essential problem is that they are fallen and blinded by sin and immorality. Fallen people are slaves to sin until Jesus Christ overcomes the sinful heart and makes them new.

Why is it important to study history? In this sermon on Numbers 11:4–6 titled “The Lie,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows a powerful lesson from the Old Testament and the example of Israel in this passage. The Israelites were brought out of Egyptian slavery when God worked miracles by His sovereign hand. Not only this, but as they traveled through the desert, he provided food to sustain them and clothes that did not wear out. But they soon began to grumble against God and Moses because they were dissatisfied. They spoke of the many foods they had in Egypt, even though they were there as slaves. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that modern humanity is just like Israel. It refuses to see God’s work in the world and remains ungrateful for all the blessings He has given. In its sin, humanity is like the Prodigal Son, refusing to see his blessings or hold himself accountable. Sinful people will never see themselves for who they are until the gospel works in their hearts and minds to make them new. Jesus came and died so that ungrateful sinners could be freed from sin and death. Those that believe in Christ Jesus are given a new heart and mind so that they can live as new creatures who serve God in truth.

The world is home to much sin. Sin has a way of turning people from Christ and perverting their hearts and minds. In this sermon on Numbers 11:4–6 titled “Despised and Rejected of Men,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the topic of the most tragic cause of sin: failing to realize the beauty of God’s salvation, and having contempt towards God and His love. He goes on to express several different ways that people express this kind of contempt. First is through attitudes and actions. Second is by showing preference to other things rather than to God. Both of these expressions can be traced throughout history. The sinful nature of humanity has always shown contempt towards God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes through parts of history from the time of the Israelites to that of Jesus and traces the contempt humanity has expressed. He concludes by asking the listener to view themselves, their attitudes, and their preferences to see if they have been guilty of showing contempt. The good news, however, is that it is never too late to turn from the sin of contempt and leave all behind to run to Jesus.

What is sin? Many people say that sin is merely something that we do. In this sermon on sin from Numbers 11:4–6 titled “Man and Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that this is not the biblical view of sin. In the book of Numbers, sin is shown as an attitude and disposition, not only an action. This is why sin is so bad, because it comes out of the very heart and determines motives. The grumbling of the Israelites was not simply their dissatisfaction with life, but it was a dissatisfaction with God. When they said that they wanted meat, they showed that worldly desire for food was more important than trusting God. This was all born out of their sinful desires. What is the answer to the sin that has corrupted everyone’s desires? The answer is found in what God has done in Jesus Christ on the cross. Sin is so bad that God Himself came to die for sinners. All who trust in Jesus are made righteous and children of God. They are given a new heart and mind and freed from sin and death because of Christ’s death. This is the only means of overcoming sin and death.