Super Moses Again

We Can't Do It Alone 2


Jethro’s Wise Advice

"The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”

“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions." Exodus 18:13-24


Like on the previous study on the mindset of Moses, here we can once again see his Superman mentality.

Now, he might not be complaining but all this "doing it alone" lifestyle would not have been easy. It would have been spreading himself thin and wearing himself and the people he was to serve out.

The good thing is that his father in law, saw this oversight and gave him some much needed 'fatherly' advise.

Stubborness

Moses probably wouldn't have listened to anyone else, as we've tackled before, for he could be a little stubborn. But towards Jethro, his father in law, he would have listened.

And when he did, the work he was supposed to do, he should have been able to do.

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4

If you find yourself in the same boat as Moses...

God is our source of hope and God's Word is a good place to start finding it.

We Can't Do It Alone

"Moses heard people from every family crying at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became very angry, and Moses didn’t like it either. So he asked, “Lord, why have you brought me this trouble? How have I displeased you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms—as a nurse carries a baby—all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep crying for me to give them meat to eat. I can’t take care of all these people by myself. This is too much work for me! If this is how you’re going to treat me, why don’t you just kill me? I can’t face this trouble anymore.”

The Lord answered Moses, “Bring me 70 Israelite men who you know are leaders and officers of the people. Take them to the tent of meeting, and have them stand with you. I’ll come down and speak with you there. I’ll take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will help you take care of the people. You won’t have to take care of the people alone." Numbers 11:10-17


For some weird reason, God's leaders sometimes have this mindset that they are Superman or Wonderwoman.

No, Jesus was super human but even Him when He was carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders cried out to Our Father in heaven.

"Not my will but yours."

Yes, He cried but He did not complain.

He cried but He did not quit. He did not give up.

He cried but He did not point fingers or put blame on anyone.

He cried out. But He understood.

And He did not do it alone. No one can. He called out to Our Father in heaven, Abba Father.

And He called and selected people out from the masses to walk with and alongside Him.

We Are Not Superman

Moses thought he was Superman. His wrong thinking did not bode well for him. And it will not, for any of God's people and God's leaders today.

God is not a slave driver. He knows what each one of us is capable of.

God is not one to discourage, not one to put anyone on their knees to quit.

God is not one who is selfish with what He has or what He knows.

God is a teacher, and not one who is mean and make anyone stay after class to write a hundred lines of "I will not do" this and that. Well of course, unless one is so stubborn and unless it is absolutely necessary. Moses was stubborn, you know. And I don't think He got it.

God is Love

Now above all, God is love. He is mercy and grace. He cares. He understands. He knows what He is doing. And whatever it is, it is for our own benefit.

"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it." 1 Corinthian 10:13

Are you to the point of giving up?

Talk to Him, Our Heavenly Father. His Spirit is within us. And with others. Work with them, but not just with anyone but with those with the same Spirit, the same love, the same wisdom and understanding.

Teach God's ways and wisdom. Listen, learn, heed. Jesus did all the heavy lifting. In fact, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

If yours aren't, which often might be the case, then it is time to come back to the Source of life, of hope, of peace, of joy and love.

He is calling...

The Lord Fights For You 2

Laws of Warfare

"When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Deuteronomy 20:1-4


After Moses led God's people out of Egypt through the wilderness and to the verge of entering the Promise Land, they now had to overcome the armies of the people who were living there.

But before they do, God had to do a few more things for them.

1. Strengthen their Faith

2. Encourage Them

3. Remove Their Fear

4. Let Them Know they Are Victors

Take Away

In the face of a battle, God wants to remind His people about the things He was able to bring them out from.

He gives instructions to His priests to give His people, words of encouragement and to keep them from being afraid and lose hope.

And He reminds them that He is with them in their battles and that He fights for them, ensuring their victory.

This is why Scriptures tell us that 'if God be for us, who could be against us'

And

'He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.'

And

'Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.'

The Lord Fights For You

Discouragement Overcome

"After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall. And from that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor.

The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!” Nehemiah 4:14-20


Over and over again, Scriptures remind God's people that the battle is the Lord's and that He will fight for them.

Many of us need to hear this now than ever before.

In the passage we read above, God's people were being discouraged by the work they had to do by the extent of what was to be done and by their enemies' taunting and threats.

Nehemiah's solution was six fold.

1. Encouragement - he reminded them of God's promises, pushing them to continue on instead of giving up.

2. Led by example - he joined them in what was needed to be done.

3. Half did the work (offense)

4. Half did the watch (defense).

5. All were ready either way (regardless of where they were).

6. Trumpet call


Take Away 

Words they work both ways -- to discourage or to encourage.

The enemy uses it to dishearten, confuse, condemn, scare, hurt and stop people from doing what they are meant to be doing.

But the Lord uses it to achieve the opposite -- encouage, motivate, give peace, hope and clarity, bring joy, strength and direction, and to delight in continuing His work and not lose heart.

Trumpet Call

The bible uses the trumpet call many different ways, but mostly to call attention back to God and His Word -- His promises, and away from the distractions and deflections, and the smoke and mirrors -- back to what's important and out from the trivial.

It is used to give God praise and honor and to lift Him up.

It is used to call people together and rally them and signal the time to go defend or to attack the enemy.

Jesus Himself will come back with the sound of the trumpet. That alone is a good reason to continue His work and to not give up, in the face of daily or constant discouragements.