Passage Read: Numbers 36 - Deuteronomy 3
Meditation Verses: Deuteronomy 1:11-13
Thought
Moses is such an honest and gracious leader. He blesses the people that they might multiply a thousand times more. But then he admits that leading them, caring for them, is too much for him alone, and it's not just that they are so many, but that they are not entirely cooperative and have so much internal strife. If they were humble and eager to obey all the Lord's commands, they would be a light load and a joy to lead, but clearly they weren't. So on the one hand he blesses them, but on the other he scolds them. And the same is true for me and those who lead me and those whom I lead.
Application
Of course I love for those whom I'm called to lead to cooperate and listen and follow my lead and instructions, but I need to expect the same from myself toward those who lead me. I must not be unruly, I must not be disrespectful or disobedient; I need to take to heart and follow their instructions and guidance. That makes me a light and easy burden, even as I long for those under me to be a light and pleasant burden, which is no burden at all. Moses didn't eliminate their unruliness and strife, he just spread it across more people. That's not what I should drive those over me to do. Rather, by my obedience and eagerness to know and do what's good and right, I can prove to be one who lightens the load and helps carry it.