Numbers 11:10-15: a reflection

10Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and the LORD’s anger burned greatly; and Moses was displeased. 11Moses said to the LORD, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why haven’t I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? 12Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them out, that you should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers’? 13Where could I get meat to give all these people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don’t let me see my wretchedness.”

When the burden of leading the complaining people becomes too much for Moses, he does not pretend to cope, or keep his struggle to himself; he pours out his overwhelm honestly to God. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me, he says. Why have you laid the burden of all this people on me? He tells God plainly that the burden is too heavy, that he cannot carry it alone, even in his distress asking God to take his life rather than let him bear it. He brings his overwhelm honestly to God, not hiding it; and God, in response, provides him help.

Notice that Moses brought his overwhelm honestly to God. He did not put on a brave face and pretend he could cope; he told God plainly that the burden was too heavy, that he could not bear it alone, pouring out even his despair. His honesty was not irreverent; it was the honesty of a servant bringing his real struggle to God, laying his overwhelm before him rather than hiding it. And God did not rebuke him for it; he responded by providing help to share the burden. Moses' honest crying out about a burden too heavy was heard, and God met it with provision. The way through the overwhelm began with bringing it honestly to God.

That is worth taking to heart, for when a burden feels too heavy, we can bring our overwhelm honestly to God, as Moses did. When we are overwhelmed, carrying a burden that feels too heavy, we can try to cope alone, put on a brave face, hide our struggle; but Moses brought his overwhelm honestly to God, telling him plainly the burden was too heavy, and God provided help. There is a place for honest crying out to God when a burden is too heavy for us. When a burden feels too heavy to bear, do not hide your overwhelm or pretend to cope; bring it honestly to God, as Moses told him plainly he could not bear it alone. Bring your overwhelm honestly to God when a burden feels too heavy, telling him plainly you cannot bear it alone, as Moses did, rather than hiding your struggle or pretending to cope; for God hears the honest crying out of his servants, and he can provide the help we need when we bring our overwhelm to him rather than carrying it alone in silence.

Lord, when the burden of leading the complaining people becomes too much for Moses, he does not pretend to cope, or keep his struggle to himself; he pours out his overwhelm honestly to you. I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me, he says. Why have you laid the burden of all this people on me? He tells you plainly that the burden is too heavy, that he cannot carry it alone, even in his distress asking you to take his life rather than let him bear it. He brings his overwhelm honestly to you; and you, in response, provide him help. Show me that Moses brought his overwhelm honestly to you. He did not put on a brave face and pretend he could cope; he told you plainly that the burden was too heavy, pouring out even his despair. His honesty was not irreverent; it was the honesty of a servant bringing his real struggle to you. And you did not rebuke him for it; you responded by providing help to share the burden. The way through the overwhelm began with bringing it honestly to you. Take that to my heart, for when a burden feels too heavy, I can bring my overwhelm honestly to you, as Moses did. When I am overwhelmed, carrying a burden that feels too heavy, I can try to cope alone, put on a brave face, hide my struggle; but Moses brought his overwhelm honestly to you, and you provided help. When a burden feels too heavy to bear, keep me from hiding my overwhelm or pretending to cope; help me bring it honestly to you, Lord, as Moses told you plainly he could not bear it alone.