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PERSONAL PROBLEMS OF LEADERS

Text: Numbers 11
18 May 2009

PERSONAL PROBLEMS OF LEADERS

1. The problem of “Displeasure”
“Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased.” Numbers 11:10

a) God’s anger expressed

b) Moses’ displeasure also noted

2. The problem of “Despair”
“So Moses said to the LORD, ‘Why have Your afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favour in Your sight, that you laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a guardian carries a nursing child to the land which You swore to their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now- if I have found favour in Your sight- and do not let me see my wretchedness” Numbers 11:11-15

3. Analysis of “Despair”

a) No one is spared from such moments of “despair”

b) Features of despair

i) Feelings deeply and adversely affected

ii) Mind also badly affected (reasoning faculty has gone awry)

iii) Faith is also deeply hurt

iv) Ending of life is also contemplated

4. Causes of Despair

a) The constant complaints of the children of Israel

b) The constant friction between leader and people

c) The sheer workload

d) The stress and strain of ministry

e) Future prospect- “more of the same”

f) Sense of “loneliness”

GOD’S ANSWER Numbers 11:16-35

1. Spiritual Dimension

a) Provision of leaders to assist Moses Numbers 11:16-17

b) Anointing of Elders to assist Moses Numbers 11:24-29

i) Seventy Elders were given the Spirit of God that was upon Moses

ii) Two others were also given the Spirit of God
(although they were not included among the original 70)

2. Practical Dimension

a) Provision of meat Numbers 11:18-20

b) Unbelief of Moses Numbers 11:21-22

3. Gentle rebuke to Moses
“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Has the LORD’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.'” Numbers 11:23

4. Promise of God honoured
An abundance of quails provided Numbers 11:31-35