Walking with the People of God - Organizing the Community Part 2

Walking with the People of God

Organizing the Community

Part 2: Moses seeks support:  Selection of the wise and the able
Numbers 11: 1-17, Selection of the Seventy Elders
 
The discontent of the people became so great that Moses prayed to God.  He said, “Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with this people?” Moses became so desperate that he asked God to allow him to die, rather than to continue facing his burden.  The Lord instructed Moses to assemble seventy elders of Israel.  Moses was asked to bring them to the Meeting Tent and that the Lord would share the Spirit with them as well. Therefore, the burden of Moses would be lifted.
 
The seventy elders received an outpouring of the Spirit and they prophesied. There were two outside the tent, but they also prophesied.  Joshua was disturbed that they were out of order, but also prophesied.  Moses responded to him by saying, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!”
 
Moses understood his limited nature. He asked for help from God. The Lord showed him that wise and able elders could assist him in guiding the people.  He also came to see that the Lord could select and bless even those who might not be visible to the assembly.
 
The people were unhappy and grumbled about several things in this incident. Most evident was their fear of hunger, and their ingratitude. Moses interceded for them. The gifts provided by God supplied their needs beyond their imagining.
 
Leaders of God’s people should be people of prayer. They are to seek the help of wise and capable people. They should share service with others, thereby helping develop the talents of others. Everyone shares in the gifts God has given us. God works in unexpected and generous ways at times.  The people wandered in the desert for forty years, because they were afraid to go in and claim the Land of Promise. God helped them step by step to reach their promise, even though they resisted. Gratitude and courage are important elements of progress.
 
 
Reflection questions:

1. Why did Moses think God was displeased with him?
2. How did selection of the Seventy Elders lift the burden Moses felt?
3. Do gifts sometimes occur in an unexpected manner? 
4. How does the hunger and ingratitude of people become resolved?
5. Does prayer and guidance help in these matters?
6. Why did the Hebrew tribes wander in the desert for forty years?