Numbers 11 & 12 -- Hopping Back Into The Saddle

Wow, this is the longest I’ve gone without reading God’s word on a daily basis and writing in my journal about it.  The hectic schedule of our trip and the time zone differences really did a number on me.  I’m so glad to finally be back to a normal routine.

Poor Moses was probably feeling like he wanted to get back to any sort of normality as well.  The people had been okay with eating manna God provided each morning, but then they got tired of the routine and complained bitterly that they’d eaten better while in slavery in Egypt.

Moses was feeling overwhelmed – his job looked hopeless and no one was satisfied.  He cried out to God with his honest feelings.  He didn’t know why he had to bear responsibility for all of them and their problems.  He knew he was right in the middle of God’s will, but it sure didn’t feel good.

Now the people were demanding meat.  He’d looked at their resources.  They’d brought livestock out of Egypt, but God had planned that not for food but as starter stock for herds they would establish in the Promised Land.  Killing all of the livestock wouldn’t solve the problem for any length of time and would only create more problems later.

I really took notice of how God answered, because I was beginning to feel the same way before I left on vacation 2 weeks ago.  God said, “Bring me 70 older leaders … I’ll give some of the Spirit in you to them.  They will help you care for the people so that you will not have to care for them alone.”

God also promised the unbelievable – meat for everyone for an entire month.  Moses couldn’t see how God could do the seemingly impossible.  His two observations started with, “If we….” 

He was still only thinking in human terms, not God-terms.  In an unusual reprimand, God said, “Do you think I am weak?  Now you will see if I can do what I say.”  God did what He said with the older leaders – even for two men who didn’t show up.  Joshua wanted only Moses to be able to prophecy.  He was almost a stumbling block rather than a helper.  Moses said, “Are you jealous for me?  I wish all the Lord’s people could prophecy.  I wish the Lord would give His Spirit to all of them.”

The people got what they asked for – quail – 3 feet deep a day’s walk in any direction.  As God said, they had meat running out of their noses.  Sickness and death followed.

Moses’ siblings then decided that they deserved a ruling role.  They began to complain about Moses doing all the leading.  God called them in for a personal audience and told them Moses was His servant, not just a prophet, and they should be afraid to ever gripe like that again.  Miriam was given a skin disease for seven days, while Aaron asked for forgiveness.

Father, I find myself wondering what work will be like today and tomorrow with many decisions awaiting me.  I’ve still been feeling the way Moses felt.  Help me to spread the load.  Equip others to lead in areas as well, or change the circumstances.  I just need You to be God at work and guide me in my work.  Keep frustration at bay.  As usual, Your timing with Your Word for me is impeccable.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford