Reading: Numbers 11:24-34

Numbers 11:29b – “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his spirit on them.”

As we lead up to Pentecost Sunday we turn to Numbers 11. A little context first, though. Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt and they have been wandering in the desert. Not too long after God provided manna – an amazing miracle that came in response to the people’s grumbling – the “riffraff” stir up more complaining, this time about a lack of meat. This is not the first or second or even third time they’ve grumbled against Moses’ leadership and against God’s provision. The weight of leading crashes down on Moses. The grumbling angers God. A depleted and frustrated Moses cannot bear the burden any longer. If things are going to be like this, he says to God, “please kill me.” Moses is done.

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been doing what God asks of us, walking faithfully, and the road gets bumpy. If the bumps don’t level out but instead get worse, we can feel defeated and frustrated. We can cry out to God in desperation as the weight begins to feel too heavy to bear. We want to give up. As with Moses, God has a plan. We are not left alone in the valley. For Moses, God passes some of Moses’ leadership spirit on to seventy elders. They will help him lead, guided by the spirit. In our valleys, God walks with us in Spirit and often sends a friend to walk with us to lift our burdens.

Two men outside the gathering at the tent of meeting also receive the spirit and start to prophesy. A concerned Joshua alerts Moses, concerned for Moses’ power. Moses does not see it this way. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Moses pines, “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his spirit on them.” Indeed, if only all of God’s people were filled with the Spirit. Indeed, indeed. May it be so, O God. Fill us all with your Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Lord God, first, thank you for never leaving us alone in the valley or in other times of trial. Thank you for your loving faithfulness. Second, Lord, fill us with your Spirit – both so we can walk faithfully as we bear one another’s burdens and so we turn to you, our ultimate companion, in our times of need. Be with us all of our days, O God. Amen.