Wednesday 4 June 2025
So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered 70 elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. (v. 24)
Background
One of the sessions during my pre-ordination retreat spoke about self-care and avoiding burn-out. It is well recognised that ministers are not very good at taking care of themselves and work more than they should. During the session it was impressed on us that we would be better ministers if we took our full entitlement of annual leave and quarter days. This was the single most important piece of advice I was ever given in relation to my ministry, and I know when I have worked for too long, as my ability to concentrate wanes and my patience all but disappears.
As I read this passage from Numbers, I can see the pressure that Moses was under. If you go back to the beginning of chapter 11 you will see that Moses is clearly nearing the end of his endurance. In verses 11 to 15 Moses has a miserable conversation with God. In verse 11 he asks: "Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favour in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? …" In verse 15 he says: "If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once – if I have found favour in your sight – and do not let me see my misery."
It is clear that Moses is close to burn out, and it is not the first time. In Exodus 18 his father-in-law Jethro had to stage an intervention before the first Judges were appointed.
Thankfully for Moses, God is good, and brings to Moses the help that he needs. As God takes some of the Spirit from Moses to give to the 70 elders, he also takes some of the burden and shares this out among the elders.
After six days God rested. In the same way, Jesus would regularly take himself away from the crowds and seek a space for peace and rest. Why, then, whenever we do anything with the Church do we feel that we should never rest, and that we should do everything?
Be brave. Take a rest, ask God for the help you need, and be brave enough to wait.
To Ponder:
- Do you spend enough time resting in God, or are you always busy?
- What could you put to one side so that you can spend more time resting in God?
Prayer
Creator of time, bring us peace and rest. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Stuart Reed
Stuart is a presbyter in the South East Cornwall Circuit and lives in Looe with his wife and their labrador. He is currently on a mission to find the best pasty and icecream in Cornwall.