Follow Together
Opening Prayer
Loving God, thank You that You always remain true to who You are. We can rest in confidence in You.
Read DEUTERONOMY 1:1-18
[1] These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan-that is, in the Arabah-opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. [2] (It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.) [3] In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the LORD had commanded him concerning them. [4] This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, and at Edrei had defeated Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. [5] East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab, Moses began to expound this law, saying: [6] The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. [7] Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. [8] See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the LORD swore he would give to your fathers-to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob-and to their descendants after them.” [9] At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. [10] The LORD your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. [11] May the LORD, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! [12] But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? [13] Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.” [14] You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.” [15] So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you-as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. [16] And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. [17] Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” [18] And at that time I told you everything you were to do. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What lesson do you draw from these events?As the country-less nation of Israel finally arrives at the Jordan, after wandering in the desert for 40 years, Moses calls them together. He wants to remind them where they have come from and what they are to do once they have crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land (3).The first thing Moses does is remind them of that promise (8), but then instead of launching straight into the Law, he explains why he had to delegate his authority to other wise men (9-17). Why indeed? Leading God’s people is hard work. Ask any church leader–ask your church leader–and they will tell you it is basically impossible to get completely right. What every church leader needs is the sort of humility Moses showed–and for the people they are leading to realize how hard it is, and so support them with prayer and words of encouragement. Moses was faced with a situation that was too much and too difficult for him to handle on his own. Instead of being full of pride, he showed his humility by asking others to help share his burden with him.
Apply
If you are a church leader, think of an area where you need help and ask for it. If you are not, offer help to a leader.
Closing prayer
Lord, You are the shelter I can run to in every storm. You are the one with whom I can share every joy. Thank You.
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