Can God do anything He wishes? Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
Have you sometimes faced problems that you thought were beyond God’s ability to solve? Is something going on in your life that you wish God would help you with, but you are doubtful if He will?
Today’s question, “Is the Lord’s power limited?” was not asked by a doubtful believer, but by God himself. It’s God’s question to Moses and presupposes the answer “No, of course not!”
What’s the background to God’s question? Last week’s post will remind you of the challenges Moses faced with the faithless Israelites. https://www.cosdavis.com/they-did-it-again/.
We pick up the story in Numbers 11:21-22, where Moses, feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of keeping the people fed, asks God whether He is up to the task of caring for His people.
“But Moses said, ‘The people among whom I am are 600,000 on foot; yet Thou hast said, I will give them meat so that they may eat for a whole month. ‘” What Moses seems to be implying is that while that may be good, it’s only for a month. He goes on to remind God that it’s going to take a lot more than one month’s food to satisfy the grumbling Israelites. “Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them?”
Moses is feeling the pressure of leadership. He has been given a job that no man can do without divine intervention. Probably, nothing we have faced has been as difficult as what Moses had to deal with, but most of us have had experiences that have taken us to the edge of desperation, when we knew that only God could deliver us. I’ve been there several times, and my experience affirms what God is saying to Moses. YES, God can do anything consistent with His powerful, righteous character.
Let’s return to Numbers 11:23 to see how God follows up with His question to Moses. His question was, “Is the Lord’s power limited?” Surely, the question was intended to cause Moses to remember what he had already seen God do: the plagues in Egypt, parting the sea so the people could escape the Egyptian army, and providing manna from heaven. And, what about the burning bush experience? And, we’ve only mentioned a few of God’s miracles.
Let’s give Moses a break on this. He’s tired and worn down, and in the midst of the looming challenge of feeding this grumbling multitude, he forgets how faithful and powerful God has been up to this point on the journey. Can you identify with Moses’ overwhelming feelings about the challenge? Do you sometimes forget how God has provided for you in desperate situations? If you are feeling stressed and bewildered right now about the challenges you are facing, take a deep breath and allow God to remind you about the many victories He has provided as you have trusted Him in the past. Moses needed to stop and remember God’s power and goodness. So do we.
So, what did God say to Moses after He raised the question? “Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” Numbers 11:23 b.
This seems to be a mild reprimand to Moses. “Just watch me. I’ve told you I will supply so much food that these obstinate people will grow sick and tired of it. Wait for it. It’s going to happen.”
Moses got the point, took God’s word for it, and announced it to the people. “So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord.”
Earlier in Numbers 11, the ingratitude, grumbling, and unfaithfulness of the people had ignited God’s anger again. Along with the food He promised to provide, He determined He would punish those who were causing trouble in the camp. Let’s see what happened as we come to the close of the chapter. Numbers 11:31 tells what happened about the promise of quail. “Now there went forth a wind from the Lord, and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp….about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground.” (That’s about 3 feet deep!).
What about the punishment? Numbers 11:33-34 says, “While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very severe plague …they buried the people who had been greedy.”
What can we learn and apply from this biblical incident?
- God is good, patient, and forgiving, but His patience is not limitless, especially to those who express arrogance and contempt for Him.
- God keeps promises He makes for our benefit, but He also punishes sin. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Romans 6:23
- Nothing is too great for God to do if it is consistent with His moral character. He will not act against who He is, nor will He violate our freedom of choice.
- We are wise to seek His will and to act accordingly in all we do.
- Ask God for what you need, obey Him, and watch Him act on your behalf.
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