Moses said to the Lord, ‘Why have you dealt ill with your servant? Why have I not found favour in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, “carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing child, to the land that you swore to give their fathers?”... I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favour in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.’
Numbers 11:11-14
I woke up feeling a bit low this morning. I have no physical reason for it. I got a good night sleep. I think I’m just feeling the pressure of another to-do list today. I’m a bit discouraged, because caring about people and for people can be work. Some of it seemed to get nowhere last week, like the time I spent preparing a Bible study for people who pulled out on the day.
So these verses caught my attention. I am only feeling the responsibility of a handful of people. Moses had a million or so to look after.
One of the things I noticed was the tenderness and care of the metaphor God uses to describe Moses’ responsibilities. He tells Moses to carry the people of Israel in his bosom as a nurse carries a nursing child. What sweetness, intimacy and protectiveness. This responsibility is one of love.
The next thing I noticed is that this was a difficult baby. Many parents know what it is like to nurse a child with colic or teething issues. The baby wails themselves to sleep only to wake up again minutes later, arching their back and thrashing out with their fists. It’s heartbreaking. And that’s what it was like for Moses, trying to get the Israelites across the desert.
Moses wasn’t doing anything wrong here, but the whole situation is too much. He’s had it. God does provide a solution in the section that follows. He instructs Moses to pick a team of 70 men to help him. He also provides the meat that the Israelites wanted so badly it precipitated this crisis. Moses’ problem is addressed for the moment.
But I’ve read this story before, and I know there’s more serious trouble ahead. Moses is about to have his responsibilities extended by 40 years. Hard work, serious disappointment, and low moments are part of the journey of faithfulness. Moses does get there in the end! With all the people of Israel, even if it is the next generation down.
Father God, thank you that you care for your people as tenderly as a mother or a nurse. I pray you would encourage the pastors of my church when their ears are full of our discontent, when their workload is burdensome and their heart is heavy. Give them a supportive, effective team. Bring all the people of your church safe to the end of the road and the promised land.
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