Alone

Weeping People

I find that people want what they want. I also find that often times what they want is not the will of God. We did the study on Moses and Exodus, so many here know of the struggles of God’s people through these terrible days. Moses was called upon to lead God’s people even though he did not possess the needed skills; perhaps. Moses spoke with God about these things and be fore you know it Aaron was given as an assistant for Moses as a mouth piece.

In this passage we get to see what Moses is dealing with, a group of people who would rather complain about everything and generally offer nothing.

(NRSV)

4 The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

Think about this single phrase,”5 We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing,”

Numbers 11:10 ESV

Moses 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.

Notice that now Moses pleads with God as to why He has dealt poorly with his servant. As pastor I deal with this in many different ways. Why haven’t you fixed our issues? Why don’t you lead us? The people wanted answers. If you will be honest and pay attention, you might actually understand that the people’s problems have everything to do with themselves, and yet they blame God, or the pastor.

If you were the right leader all our problems would go away. We remember a time when things were good, we ate from the flesh pots, fish, and it cost nothing. Wait a minute what about your freedom? Even when God gave them Manna, they found that this did not satisfy their hunger. Perhaps you need to ask yourselves, what is my hunger for?

(NRSV)

11 So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? You see in this verse Moses is crying out because of his discomfort. Do you think I ever feel these pressures? Do you care?

You perhaps cry out. “Give us meat to eat”. Listen to Moses’ complaint. (NRSV)

12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,’ to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? Moses says, (NRSV)

13 Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’

The truth is, “I am not able to carry you all, the burden is too heavy for me.” At this point Moses is desperate for a change. The test has become too great. He cries out much like the people do. (NRSV)

15 If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.” Are we at the brink? Is this journey about winning in individual clicks, or is it about winning the race put before us?

Notice what happens when God answers Moses. (NRSV)

The Seventy Elders

16 So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. (NRSV)

17 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 along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself. The table is set before God comes down; before the Spirit is poured out upon the people.