“10Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the LORD blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. 11Moses said to the LORD, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?” – Numbers 11:10-11 (ESV)
Moses was having a difficult time of things as God was dealing with the Israelite people. The people were complaining profusely as they were missing some of what they had while slaves in Egypt. They were not happy with their freedom and with their NEEDS being met and so they were complaining and not doing anything to change their situation. As such Moses was hearing it all and was overwhelmed and needed help. So he asked for that help from God.
“14I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. 15If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” – Numbers 11:14-15 (ESV)
Now there is a lot to unpack with regard to this full passage about the complaining and the next, but the focus of my study is one of asking for help and receiving. God heard Moses’ plea for help and in the next two verses demonstrated His love by providing that help.
“16Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” – Numbers 11:16-17 (ESV)
Moses asked and God provided the solution. Divide the burden among elders or as mentioned in Exodus 18, “able men”. God would take some of the burden that was on Moses and place it upon those men so as to relieve His servant Moses.
Now the lesson learned here is about how often do we continue to “go it alone” and not ask for the help we need. This year, my word is “Self” as I look to relieve myself of some of the burden and off-load things to others so that I can focus on me and my mission and purpose for the LORD. As such it is important for me to ask for help when I need it, and that does not mean just from those that are here in the world with me. I should be asking for help from God and know that he wants to and will provide for my needs.
How is it that you approach things each day? Are you working to “go it alone”? What if you were to ask for help from those around you and especially from the LORD?
Trevor's Thoughts 