06012024 Too Hard

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the All-Possible God for whom there is no impossible. It’s a good thing we have Him at our side, because lots of things are impossible for us.

It was the same for Moses. God used life to prepare Moses for his intended task. Moses was brought up in the palace where he was instructed well beyond the scope of other men. Moses then spent forty years in the desert where he learned humility and patience. He was personally called by God, equipped with confirmatory signs, given the words to speak, and led each day by God’s guiding presence.

Nevertheless, the task of leading Israel was too hard for him. After more than a year of experience in leading the people, Moses hit a roadblock. A lengthy pause in the journey, during which the tabernacle was completed, ended, and Israel now set out toward the destination of the Promised land (Numbers 10:11-13, 29).

After three days, the people complained so harshly that God responded with a fire that burned some of the camp (11:1). The people bemoaned their boring menu of manna, manna, and more manna, longing for the abundant variety back in Egypt (11:4-6). The people’s hearts were so burdened that they stood weeping in the doorways of their tents (11:10).

Perhaps vs. 4-9 are the details of the complaint in v. 1, which led to God’s wrath, but if the events are ordered chronologically, this was a renewed complaint even after God’s judgment. According to verse 13, the weeping was due to the despair about the food, but God’s recent displeasure may have been a factor also.

Either way, this was a difficult spell with the people at what should have been a high point. There should have been renewed devotion after completing the tabernacle. There ought to have been building anticipation as they finally resumed the journey toward Canaan.

Moses reached a crisis point. He was “displeased” (11:10), and he carried his complaint to God. “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?” (11:11). Under the weight of the burden, Moses came to a conclusion: “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me” (11:14). Moses was extremely discouraged and frustrated, ready to quit the whole thing (11:15). He simply could not do it anymore.

How many ministers for God have come to this same conclusion? The job is too hard. It would not necessarily have to be the case, but such a conclusion could come under similar circumstances as Moses had. The person in question has trained for this. God has called him. God has empowered him and guided him. God has used life to mold him for just this task. The time of ministry might seem like it should be one of renewal and anticipation.

Yet the people being ministered to are a burden. They obstinately continue in the same weaknesses, even after feeling the effects of God’s displeasure. They fail to focus on the positive of the present, the wonder of what God is doing on their behalf. They dwell on past pleasures, which probably were not nearly as wonderful as they remember them to be. They are overcome with despondency, not able to proceed forward or even function properly.

What leader wouldn’t be overwhelmed and discouraged? Yes, the burden is too heavy. It is interesting that God did not argue with Moses or try to convince him otherwise. Instead, God stepped in with a plan to help Moses bear the heavy burden. God devised a network of seventy elders that He would equip to help carry the load (11:16-17). God supplied the support that Moses needed.

God also gave Moses a response to share with the people (11:18-20). God was going to supply a month’s worth of meat for them, in response to their complaint. In the process, He was going to teach the people a lesson and call them out on their constant complaining.

Most importantly, God let Moses know that Moses did not have to carry the burden. It was God’s burden. God would deal with the people’s complaint. God would provide food for them. God had all the power and resilience that Moses lacked. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’s hand waxed short? Thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not” (11:23).

I think God’s response was designed, in part, specifically to encourage Moses. God responded to Moses’ current sense of being overwhelmed by immediately giving guidance for distributing the burden and by immediately responding to the complaint of the people. These were very practical responses to soothe and comfort Moses in the need of the hour. Then the deeper and underlying encouragement to Moses was that Moses was not the one who had to bear the burden. It was too heavy for Moses, but it was not too heavy for God. Moses was never intended to be the one carrying the weight of his ministry; it was always God.

I love the kind and supportive heart of God in this incident. Instead of condemning or berating Moses for being so discouraged, God encouraged and helped him. The help was not a nebulous reassurance that things would work out okay; it was practical and immediate. Moses may not have been ready to immediately hear the words, “You don’t have to carry the burden. That’s My job.” But God ministered to Moses to keep him from collapsing, and through His practical answers, I believe He reassured Moses of precisely that message.

Maybe you aren’t as discouraged and overwhelmed as Moses was, but there are some encouraging truths in this account, even for lesser challenges. The work is God’s. The burden falls on Him. You don’t have to do it alone. He cares about when it is hard for you. He will help you with the practical struggles, and He is the Helper that enables it all. May God bless you as you walk forward in His strength.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA