The Lord's Arm is Never Too Short

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Lord's Arm is Never Too Short

Date: Sep. 17, 2016

Passage

Numbers 11:16-23 (ESV)

16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17 And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone. 18 And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19 You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20 but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’” 21 But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ 22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” 23 And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:23

And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

First, God will provide leadership (16-17). When we think about the Lord's arm providing, we usually think about food and material things. But it also means leadership. Moses could never lead the people on his own. God knew this and called and empowered elders to assist. They would share the burden of leadership. They represented the people. The elders were not voiceless. God spoke through them, for they prophesied by the Spirit of God.

Second, God would provide the food (18-23). Though God was angry with the complaints, he was going to feed his people and weed out the complainers. Moses was not sure that the Lord had enough power and resources to do what he planned. He was questioning God's ability. God reminded him of his unlimited power to act and his unlimited resources to provide. God wants his people to have complete faith in his power to deliver. God will come through in his way and in his time. His arm is never too short.

Prayer: Lord, you are strong enough and powerful enough to provide for your people. I trust you.

One Word: The Lord's arm is more than long enough

The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:9-27

Key Verse: 21:22

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

Today's Question

What is the sixth commandment?

See answer and references