it off, Moses had not wanted the job to begin with. He had been perfectly happy out there in the desert with Zipporah and the sheep.

So he followed the Lord. So he made a fool of himself in front of Pharaoh who very well may have been his step brother. So he had commanded the Israelites, in a mighty band, marching out of Egypt. He obeyed God. He took command of an indifferent people. He had faith. He had met God in the burning bush. His people had not!

He’d been to the mountain for the giving of the Law. He’d disciplined his followers and his brother after the golden calf debacle. The tabernacle had been built. All was ready for a forward march, and now Moses hears complaining from the very ones he is trying to help. Food complaints are often heard--even in our day. These wilderness wanderers were no different. The mixed multitude within their midst had stirred them up. The food of Egypt was what they were used to. They wanted flesh to eat. They wanted fish and leeks and cucumbers. Their mouths watered for the melons, irrigated by the Nile river. They longed for the onions and garlic they used to store in their kitchens.

Moses needed help. He’d begged Hobab, his father-in-law, to stay with him. The man was a Midianite who knew the territory like the back of his hand. He was a leader in his own right. But the man did not want to stay. He had his own life and his own family. (Each of us has to know our place in life.)

Every man cried and complained in his own tent. The camp was upset, to say the least. After the umpteenth time of hearing the people weep, the Bible says in verse 10, "the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly." Moses was upset, too! He, too began to cry out to the LORD, "Why have you afflicted me, LORD? WHY have I not found favor in Thy sight?" Moses was at "wit’s end"! He could not understand WHY God had laid such a burden on him. The burden was the ungrateful, complaining people!

Have you ever been in such a predicament? Have you ever felt that your "cup" was too full of trouble. Have you ever run to your room and said to God, "I QUIT! This work you have called me to do is just too much!" Have you ever felt unappreciated no matter how hard you try to do right? I know you have. I have, and you are no different than I. So the LORD in his compassionate heart helped Moses.

Seventy men were gathered to help their depressed leader. Seventy men, who could prophesy, were appointed to draw along side of Moses and to be his helpers on life’s journey. Take heart, dear Christian. When things are rough and you are at the end of your rope, have a little talk with God in Jesus’ name. You’ll be surprised what help can come to you. (ysw)

(Deuteronomy 21:8)

It is God speaking. (GGS)