MOSES’ TROUBLED PRAYER

Numbers 11:1-15 / Keywords 11:12

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers?

 

1. God’s way to the Promised Land was through the hard wilderness. While marching to the Promised Land, the Israelites complained about their hardships. Then fire from God burned some of them. God’s way to heaven is through trials. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Ac 14:22). God’s purpose to lead us through hardships is to remove impurity from us and conform us to Jesus’ image.

 

2. Again, they became cranky about the ‘tiresome’ manna. They wailed, reminiscing about ‘free’ food in Egypt. They might have eaten for free, but they were enslaved in Egypt. They forgot who they had been in Egypt and how God had redeemed and guided them. This time, Moses complained to God about the difficult people who kept complaining. He complained about his mission to carry his people in his arms like a nursing mother to the Promised Land. God’s purpose to put this heavy burden on Moses was to grow him in the heart of God for his people. God’s love and mercy toward his childish and grumpy people was beyond human understanding. Spiritual leaders are to carry people, like a nursing mother, with God’s heart and with God’s strength.

 

Prayer Lord, with my own strength I cannot carry even one person. Give me your heart and strength to serve your people.

One Word As a nurse carries an infant