“The Prayer Against Burn-out”

The ‘mixed multitude’ v.4  (sap-sup) rabble, collection of grumblers, fell to lusting which caused the children of Israel to weep and mourn and cry for flesh to eat.  This, “Mixed Multitude” or (sap-sup) always seem to be with us, even in the church today.  Christ talks about them as the ‘tares‘ only in Matt. 13;24-43 (zizanion) darnel, false grain.  Webster says, the word darnel is from the word (darnu), stupefied; so called from it’s supposed stupefying qualities, a weedy rye grass with poisonous seeds, often found in grain fields.  Jesus explained later that the ‘tares’ are the children of the ‘Wicked One,’  Sown by Satan who profess to be Christian’s in outward ways but inwardly they are lost. They talk the talk but they don’t walk the walk. Only the angels in the end can be trusted to separate them Matt. 13:40-43 and cast them into hell.  So great is Satan’s power that the ‘tares’ often themselves stupefied, really suppose they are children of God’s kingdom. Matt.7:21-23.  However, not all unbelievers are called children of the devil, only those who have willfully rejected the light are to be designated as such, Matt.13;38; Jn.8:38-44.  You don’t have to worry about the world or who is saved or not, just be a lighthouse and tell them all about Jesus and leave the results up to God!

In Num. 11:10 Moses hears the people weeping (ba-ka) – to wail, cry, shed tears, lament, a brew-ha-ha, to flow by drops; with theirs families (mish-pocheh) family, clan, tribe, because they were tired of the free manna. As they were standing in their tent doors and complaining, all three million of them, the anger (af) the nostrils of the LORD’s face begin to flare; here we go again; and His anger was greatly kindled (kha-ra) hot, furious, burning, incensed, ablaze; and Moses had a (ra-ah) (ah-yin) evil eye, seeing evil things!  In v. 1 the LORD heard the complaining (ra-ah) (o-zen) and an evil report entered His ear, but here He sees an evil report or thing, something displeasing, rebellious, or sinful.  Think about your life for a moment, what kind of reports does God get on you?  What does He see in the closets of your life, in the dark rooms?  What kind of displeasing reports does He have to listen to about your life, work, testimony or lack thereof? Doesn’t your Bible say, “That every idle word will be accounted for?” We might as well say, ‘Thought, word and deed or lack thereof!’

Moses now prays for himself and used the same word (ra-ah), “Why have You afflicted (ra-ah) me, your servant (eh-bed), Your bond-servant, man-servant, even Your slave.  Why have You thought evil, or bad of me?  What wrong have I done to You, LORD that You should treat me this wickedly, this ethically evil?  Did you ever feel like you are getting the short end of the stick from God wrongfully?  ‘Where or when have I not found (khan) grace, favor, good-will in Your sight; in your (ah-yin) eyes.’  Then why have You laid, or appointed, or placed this burden, this (mas-sa) load, tribute, on me?  It’s too heavy for me, I can’t bear it!  I am about to “Burn Out!”  This is a plea of pastor’s today, a cry for help because they are drowning!  It’s not the budget, or the sermons, or the administration, it’s the sheep.  They keep bleating or bleeding; Now you can stop one with a tourniquet but not the other.  🙂

Moses asks God, “Have I conceived, am I the progenitor, the father of all these people?  Did I conceive this nation, did I give birth to this ‘Mishpocheh,’ this clan or tribe?’  Have I begotten them, did I travail in birth with them, did I beget them that You LORD should say to me, “Carry (nasa) bear them up, lift them up, nurture and endure them; in thy bosom (khak) the breast with the arms, named for embracing; of a nursing father (a-man) to support, confirm, be faithful, and nourish them.  Now if you want to know more about whether a man can nurse a child, you can google it and you will get a lot of documented information.  God is talking here about a nursing father bearing a sucking child (ya-nak) to suckle, or nurse; unto the land which Thou did swear (sha-vah). This word is stronger then swear, it means to adjure, to command or charge solemnly under oath, to entreat solemnly unto their fathers or forefathers.

Moses goes on entreating the LORD, “Where am I going to get enough meat to feed all these people?”  It sounds like Jesus talking to Peter, “Feed My sheep!” Yet He gave Him nothing to feed them with, so let them chew on you. Sound familiar, pastor, deacon, elder, leader?  You see they cry to you, not to God, to feed them, to teach them, to care for them, to scratch their backs, to pick their bugs, etc.  And Moses tells God, “I’m not able to bear all this people alone, by myself, because this burden is too (ka-vad) too massive, too great, too burdensome, for me!” I have been there, I have ‘Burned Out, Crashed, Collapsed, Bottomed Out!’ Then it is time for a ‘Cabin, a Bible, a Canteen and a Blanket and just wait on God. How long, He will let you know, when you hear a knock on the door, open it! You are going to need help, just like Moses, human and divine.

If You have to deal this way with me, after this fashion said Moses; kill me (ha-rag) slay, murder, destroy me; let me not see or look at or perceive my wretchedness, wickedness or malignant disposition.  He is “Burned-Out” and wants to die like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4-7; or Job in Job 6:9; or Jonah in Jon. 4:8, and so many others.  Then the LORD answers Moses’ prayers and sends him help in the size of the first ‘Sanhedrin’ or “Seventy Men” to bear the burden with Moses. (Now remember, his congregation was three million strong, with a (sap-sup). Then the LORD took some of the Spirit which was upon Moses and put it upon the ’70’ so they could bear the burden of the people together. P.T.L. It is good to share the load with others, this helps to prevent ‘Burn-Out.’ Stop trying to push that wheel-barrow all by yourself, especially uphill, get some help and do it today. Your cabin is waiting and so is your God! I’ll see you on my knees next time or, “…Between The Lines…” 

“The Prayer Against Burn-Out”      (Num. 11:10-15)