Pam Padgett ... teacher
While in the wilderness, God fed the children of Israel with manna.
When they started lusting for flesh as they had in Egypt and wept for having left Egypt, Moses turned to God about the burden of caring for the people being too heavy for him ...
Numbers 11:10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their
families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord
was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11 And Moses said unto
the Lord, 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? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten
them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a
nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou
swarest unto their fathers? 13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto
all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we
may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is
too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray
thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not
see my wretchedness.
God dealt with the people who lusted, bringing them so much flesh
that it became loathsome to them and then slaying those who lusted with a
great plague (Number 11:31-34).
God also eased the burden of Moses in caring for the children of
Israel. God told Moses to gather 70 of the elders and officers of the people. God would give them of His spirit which was on Moses so they could help bear the burden of the
people with Moses ...
Numbers 11:16 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy
men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the
people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of
the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will
come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which
is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden
of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
Moses did according to the instruction of the Lord, speaking as directed
to the people, and gathering 70 of the elders of the people. When the spirit came on them, they prophesied without ceasing, speaking as led by the spirit of God ...
Numbers 11:24 And Moses went out, and told the people
the words of the Lord, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the
people, and set them round about the tabernacle. 25 And the Lord came
down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was
upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass,
that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not
cease.
Moses humbled himself before God, turning to God with his concern, and God answered
him, giving him help in caring for the people.