Reference: Numbers 11 (www.biblegateway.com)
This reading traced the journey of Moses through a "Crisis" with the people. The problem, they wanted "Meat" all 600 000 + of them (thats just the able bodied men), and Moses felt inadequate to the task. More than this, he didn't have the ability to quell their fleshly desires and in the end, threw his hands up in the air and said "Kill Me Now - it would be easier than trying to deal with this mob"
God didn't just leave Moses out on a Limb - he gave a very practical solution - share the load.
He asked Moses to appoint 70 elders and officials who were already known to be so, from amongst the community, and God allowed the spirit that was on Moses to pass on to these other leaders.
The really interesting thing for me, was that there were 2 guys who were supposed to show up, they had been called to the meeting at the tabernacle, but they weren't there, they were still in the camp - God still allowed his spirit to fall on them, and they also prophesied. They ministered in the power of the spirit, even though they didn't attend the "leadership team". Interesting. God wasn't setting up a hierarchical power structure - he was setting up some helpers for Moses ministry to the people of Israel. So whether they attended the meeting to be inducted or not, was not the issue. God had chosen them, and empowered them, regardless of the structure of the organisation.
The MOST INTERESTING thing was when they started going on outside the structure that was set up. They were prophesying, and continuing to do so "In the Camp" and Joshua says "forbid them".
Moses reflected a principle that we really need to get in the church today. He said. I wish all the people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His spirit on them.
Moses was agreeing that this role of ministry and leadership was not his alone, but ought to be borne by "Every Believer". This principle is exhibited in the modern church through the "Priesthood of all believers". That is - together, we both discern and minister the will of God.
The role of Ministry is not for the professionals, but for all those who know and serve the Lord. We are to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
The challenge for me is to ensure that whilst I/we may set up good structures to enhance the opportunities to minister in God's name, I/we must also realise that these structures are "Man Made" and are not supposed to limit the opportunities to serve. In fact - there are more opportunities to serve God outside the structures the church can manage, than there are inside the church.
Every believer is called to serve - in their church ? in their home ? in their work ? in their social sphere ? where else ?
Something to think about.
Pastor J
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