The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you.
Numbers 11:16 NIV
Moses, the leader of the Israelites, had several human weaknesses. In the initial three verses, he pleaded with God on behalf of the people. However, in verse four, the people erred again. But this time, Moses acknowledged that he was becoming weary of the people’s continuous stubbornness. But he did not nag or murmur about the issue. Instead, he prayed to God again, and he completely poured his heart to Him. No wonder he received help.
He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 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 ancestors? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.
Numbers 11:11-14 NIV
At least, if nothing else, Moses said: “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.” Indeed, we may be able to draw several lessons from this scripture, especially from Moses’ prayer. However, there is a particular issue that I would like us to consider at this moment. And that is in God’s response to Moses.
The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.”
Numbers 11:16-17 NIV
A pivotal observation emerges in God’s proposed solution. The critical issue that caught my attention from this passage is that God was going to take some of the power of the Spirit from a man and share it with seventy men, yet the man would not feel emptied. I cannot help but look inward and try to put myself in Moses’ shoe in today’s context. How much of the power of the Spirit have I allowed God to pour into me? Have I even gotten sufficient power for the ministry at hand, let alone of sharing it with seventy others? Am I not limiting God’s power in my life?
I hope you note that the power taken from Moses was only some portion. God did not have to take everything and share it equally with the seventy. Moses had so much of the power of God upon his life that only a fraction of it was sufficient for seventy men to share.
Meanwhile, the reality is that if it was possible with Moses, then it can also happen with you and me. Moses was also an ordinary man like you and me, and God is still very much the same as in the days of Moses. He is still able to make the extraordinary out of an ordinary life. It is the readiness and willingness of the vessel for God to use for His glory that determines how much of His power we will experience.
In summary, this exploration has underscored crucial insights. Moses, despite his challenges and vulnerabilities, consistently sought God’s assistance and direction. God’s response was remarkable—providing Moses with seventy helpers who shared in the power of the Spirit upon him. Moses’ extraordinary experience with the Spirit’s power empowered him to accomplish remarkable feats for God and His people. The lesson is clear: our limitations do not constrain God. When we yield ourselves to His purpose, we too can encounter the Spirit’s power. We must continue to trust God despite our human constraints, knowing that He can utilise us in extraordinary ways. As we seek Him wholeheartedly, surrendering to His will, we can anticipate the support and guidance necessary to fulfil our calling and ministry. Let this be a reminder that the power of the Spirit is accessible to all who believe and are open to receiving it.
