FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD

FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD

"And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in Thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness." (Num 11:15)

THE LAW HAD BEEN GIVEN, the tabernacle and its furniture constructed, and the manner of Israel's appointed journeying established. The ark of the covenant was to go before them, and "the cloud of the Lord was upon them when they went out of the camp." When the cloud moved, the people were to pack up and move out immediately, with the ark of the covenant going before them. When the ark was carried forward, Moses said, "Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee." When it was set down, he said, "Return, O's LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel" (Num 10:34-36).

ISRAEL HAD JOURNEYED THREE DAYS from Mount Sinai. They began to complain, forgetful of the great deliverance they had experienced. Their complaining greatly displeased the Lord, and "His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp." The people cried out to Moses, "and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched" (11:1-2). Not much time passed until Israel began to crave meat, growing discontent with the manna sent daily to them. They said their whole beings were dried up, and all they could see was manna. They began weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of their tents, "and the anger of the LORD was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased."

IT WAS MORE THAN MOSES COULD BEAR. He called out to the Lord, "Wherefore hast thou afflicted Thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favor in Thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?" How grievous must be the people who drove the meekest man in all the earth to speak in such a way! With great lament Moses said, "I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me." Who is able to measure the impact these recalcitrant people had upon this faithful servant of God? (11:3-14).

IT WAS AT THIS POINT that our text occurs. The New American Standard Bible reads, "So if Thou art going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Thy sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness." You may remember that Elijah prayed a similar prayer, asking for God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). How tragic that the very people to whom leaders and prophets are sent often cause them such great grief!

THERE IS THE GLIMMER OF FAITH, however, in Moses' petition. His great distress and frustration did not cause his faith to die. "If I have found favor in Thy sight," he pled. He appealed to his walk, his response to the Lord, and his manner of life. He did not want to sink lower than he already felt. He did not want to see his own "wretchedness." In other words, he did not want to be crushed by this people, finally dishonoring his God. A noble request indeed, and the Lord hearkened to it, giving him seventy competent men of Israel to share the load created by this burdensome people (11:16).

THERE IS A GREAT LESSON TO BE LEARNED HERE. When our troubles become very burdensome, and too difficult to bear, we must know how to approach the Lord on the matter. First, we should not ask God to do things for us if we have been displeasing to Him. Second, we should seek to avoid being brought down further into the quagmire of despair. Just as surely as God answered Moses with relief, so will He do for you! That is something your faith must grasp.

– Given O. Blakely