God’s Easy Yoke and Light Burden

By David R. Ferguson       If you have ever found yourself feeling as if the weight of the world was thrust upon your shoulders, then you are certainly in good company, for assuredly that great man of God, Moses, felt this way oftentimes while leading the Israelite people in their Wilderness Wanderings. On one of these occasions, he even despaired to the point where he pleaded with God to take his life. Moses said to the Lord, “Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat that we may eat!’ I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness” (Numbers 11:13-15 [NAS]). God heard His servant Moses and He relieved his burden by giving him seventy elders to help him with the people.     Moses didn’t have to feel or be miserable to the point of death. The Israelites had not rejected or despised him, but the Lord. The Lord didn’t expect Moses to do everything, to feel invincible, or to be error-free. Calling in sick, taking a break, or sleeping in late bothered Moses more than it bothered God. Moses didn’t have to be perfect; just to be patient. God didn’t demand Moses to be a saint, but to be a servant.     A servant, by definition, is not his own boss. The Lord is ultimately responsible for all decisions, actions, and troubles. Any complaint or displeasure against His faithful servants is an affront to Him.     Rejecting the Lord is one of the most serious charges the Lord can bring against His people. This was the first time the Lord was accusing Israel of such a serious charge. Later God would accuse them of despising the land (Numbers 14:31). Three times, the Israelites were charged with rejecting the Lord – when they rejected Moses in this passage, when they later rejected Samuel as judge (1 Samuel 8:7), and, ultimately, when they were deported to Assyria for rejecting God’s decrees and for following worthless idols (2 Kings 17:6, 15). The consequence of rejecting the Lord is ruin.     Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-29). God is your Father, too, and He longs to help relieve you of your burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). Turn them over to God today! You will find that the Lord will never let you down. He will be with you every step of the way, lending you His Strength.

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com