01.01.2026 AMC
NEW YEAR SERMON
Number 11:18-23 - Is the Lord's hand shortened?
Greetings: The Lord is good; and His Love endures forever!
Happy New Year 2026!
Introduction: Tonight, I would like to introduce the theme for the year with a promise in the forms of a question. Is the Lord's hand shortened? This is the question posed to Moses by The Almighty God.
Why God has to tell Moses about His Character, about His Power, about His Omnipotence. When God talked about his power to The Egyptian King Pharaoh it is understood, to the kings of Babylon it’s understood, to the kings of Syria and Assyria it’s understood but why to Moses.
Moses was not an ordinary person, not an unbeliever, not a traditional Servant of God. Moses was a Holy Man, an Honest Man, an Humble man, and a Meek Man throughout the earth no one was compared to him while he was on the earth (Numbers 12:3). He was a Prophet of God, a Man of God, and a Servant of God who had enjoyed inexpressible intimacy with God, he was more closer to Yahweh than any man lived on the earth during his generation.
YHWH told Aaron and Miriam about Moses: “Listen to my words:“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8).
Then why this question to MOSES?
Let me bring out briefly the larger and immediate context of this Question of God. The larger context is that the Children of Israel were the children of Abraham, Children by the promise of God, and they were in slavery for about 420 years in Egypt. They were redeemed by YHWH with His an outreached arm and wonders through ten plagues. They had crossed the Red sea, had seen miracles after miracles after miracles from day one of their redemption. They had the grace to witness the presence of God (Numbers 11:35-36). But now, on the 20th day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year of Exodus, within two years of redemption, the sojourners complained against this God, cried and cursed God and Moses, they yelled at Moses and at God for bringing them out of Egypt. All for food, they didn’t eat to live, they lived to eat.
The immediate context of this question is Moses was facing problems in the family circle, among the relatives and Jealousy colleagues. Before the question of the Lord, the initial general complaints of Israel (Numbers 11:1–3), the complaints about food (vv. 4–9), Moses’ own complaint to the LORD (vv. 10–15), After the question, the zealous of Eldad and Medad (Numbers 11:26–29), and the rain of quails (vv. 30–35) are recorded.
Tonight, let us think about this great and wonderful God and the future events of your lives. Three things let me leave with you:
* Trust in the Lord and not grieve Him - Numbers 11:1-9;
Trust in the Lord and not Question Him (Numbers
11:11-17); Trust in the Lord and not Underestimate Him (Numbers 11:18-23).
Trust in the Lord and not grieve Him - Numbers 11:1-9
We read in numbers:
‘The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”’ (Numbers 11:4-6).
“Why did we ever leave Egypt?” (Numbers 11:20). Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents (Numbers 11:10). The Lord was sad, displeased and grieved.
In Exodus 12:38 we read that there was a Mixed multitude joined the Israelites when they left Egypt. The Hebrew word for multitude is rab meaning "great," "many," or "large."
In the Targum the phrase is vaguely rendered "many foreigners" and as "a medley of outlandish people", as 'strangers' and 'proselytes.' They are varied groups of forced labourers, people of different origins, seized the moment and left Egypt with the Israelites.
According to Ibn Ezra, Jewish Rabbi, these were the people from the bottom of Egypt's social strata who took the opportunity to escape from their fate. After seeing the series of miracles that God performed in Egypt, many locals, Egyptians, and others, decided to leave with the Israelites and joined them. (Exodus 12:37, Numbers 1:46) showing that Israel obviously consisted of many non-biological Jews who had joined. Including the wife of Moses, a Midianite (Exodus 2:16-21). Rahab was a Canaanite (Joshua 2:1, 2).
Now the extra WAGONS, remembered the onions, garlic, cucumbers, melons, and leeks of the Egypt, they have forgotten the beatings by the Taskmasters and the cruelty they had experienced under the hands of Pharaoh. What a tragedy 6 Lakhs men have rejected God. They Wailed, yelled, complained, became ungrateful, and stiff-necked. Regretted for freedom longed for slavery. Unholy people (Numbers 11: 18-20).
David Guzik says that they were affected by “False Memory Syndrome.” The Talmud Yoma divides the Wilderness Israelites into three groups: The righteous, the average, and the wicked. It’s true with every congregation, with every denomination.
The Discontent was their condition. They experienced and enjoyed miracles, signs, and wonders but had no personal touch with the Lord, they are without born-again experience. They were not for God but to achieve the desires of their flesh. They were full of murmurings and complaints. Their eyes and desires were on the world. They attend church out of attraction by the entertainment of some. They do not walk by the Spirit but in the flesh (Romans 8:7).
The unsaved are the source of most of the complaining and arguing for petty matters within the congregation. Blessings in disguise is good, blessings with disguise is unwarranted (Numbers 11:10-15).
Matthew Henry: “A few factious, discontented, ill-natured people, may do a great deal of mischief in the best societies, if great care be not taken to discountenance it.”
Genesis 6:6 “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart”
Hebrews 3:9-10 “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.”
It’s a quote from
Psalms 95:9-10 “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:”
Ephesians 4:30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”.
Illustration on Discontentment
There was an ancient Persian farmer, Ali Hafed, who owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens. One day a stranger told Ali Hafed, all about diamonds and its worth and a wealthy life.
Ali Hafed had desire to own a diamond mine and would like to become a wealthiest person on the earth. Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his entire Agro-farm, with the money he was roaming around the world to search for the rare stones. He finally became a poor. He was broken, defeated, finally committed suicide.
One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golconda, the most magnificent mine in all history. Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own garden, he would have had acres of diamonds instead of death in a strange land (Adopted).
Be content with what you have, dig into the Bible, spend time in prayer, then you will see wonders in your life, and be contentment. Enjoy the compassion of God, no more complaints of the life situations.
They grieved the heart of God with their ungrateful attitude. The key to overcoming discouragement is to remember God’s promises and apply them. Go to the Lord who can satisfy you. “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things” (Psalm 81:10). God’s best for us is always ahead, never behind us! (David Guzik).
2. Trust in the Lord and not Question Him (Numbers 11:10-17)
Moses - Moses was tempted and provoked by the mixed multitudes (Numbers 11:3). So, He felt very bad about his calling. He was burdensome, frustrated, and heavy in heart. He had the feelings of inability, misery, and wanted to die, and give up this task of leading this generation into Canaan. Moses’s sin was discouragement. The sin of discouragement followed the sin of impatience.
Moses was discouraged. Moses committed the sin of the moment, a failure under extreme provocation. “Crises do not produce heroes nor do emergencies make cowards however extraordinary circumstances reveal our strengths and weakness that have long been dormant. We are not what we are because of what we do; we do what we do because of what we are. Character determines the deed. The deed only reveals the character.” (Charles H Stevens).
Yes, the great man of God Moses who had spent forty days and nights, a man who had seen the Lord face to Face, a man who was known as a man of Meekness had caught into the danger of discouragement (Number 11:11-14). Discouragement is associated with men and women of actions. The other leaders are Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-6), and Jonah (Jonah 4) who were affected by the sin of Discouragement. The spirit of discouragement leads a person to an extreme end. But the grace of God sustained three of them. Their common prayers were: ‘They wanted to die.’ (Numbers 11:15, 1 King 19:4, Jonah 4:3). John Piper says that discouragement leads us to doubt God’s goodness, wisdom, and power.
When we are in the discouragement, the mountain seems too steep, the valley looks too dark, or the battle too fierce, once we crossed very easily. Discouragement can be a warning light suggesting to us that we have lost our primary focus in God, in his mission, in his interest. Then comes to our mind numerous questions. Questions on existence, questions on God and his abilities.
Therefore, Moses raised Questions. Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them? (Numbers 11:22).
The questions of Moses were:
- Why have you treated your servant so badly?
- Why have I not found favour in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? (Numbers 11:11).
- Did I conceive all this people?
- Did I give birth to them?
- Where I am to get meat to give to all this people? (Numbers 11:1-13).
- Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them?
- Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them? (Numbers 11:22).
- Are you jealous for my sake? (Numbers 11:29).
The only way to come out of these kinds of questions, discouraging situations is to share with God, share with others. Don’t keep within yourselves and becomes the workshop of Satan.
Share with others and not carry Alone. Sharing the fears of future, depressed mood, disturbed situations will help to lighten your the burdens and you will get way out. Therefore the Lord said to Moses:
Numbers 11:16 - Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you”.
Numbers 11:16-18: The number ‘seventy’ is often used of such a group of elders (Exodus 24:9), and it is a symbolic number that reflects totality and completeness. Joint venture. By sharing, by delegation, you are lightened, you will not bear it all alone by yourself.
70 chosen leaders - a team of prayer warriors, a team of burden sharers, a team to stand in the presence of God with Moses. You can share with the others. They must be men of matured age, spiritually grown, unquestionable commitment to the Lord, of grey and exemplary deportment, of ripened wisdom, who would know how best to use the authority committed to them.
The elders were there to help Moses carry the spiritual load—to help him care for and minister to the people, and to be a support for him in the ministry. God’s help was going to come to Moses through the support of godly men.
I will separate, set apart, keep, reserve, of the spirit which is upon thee, etc. That is, he would endow them with the same spirit of government, or with those gifts of wisdom, judgment, counsel, courage, etc., which were bestowed upon Moses, though not to the same degree.
They were to be partners, but not equals, in the divine donation. This is a customary way for God to meet our needs. The Holy Spirit works: 1) regeneration, 2) indwelling (or filling), 3) restraint, and 4) empowerment for service. Evidence of these areas of the Holy Spirit’s work is just as present in the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament.
The Jewish writers illustrate the matter by saying that “Moses in that hour was like unto the lamp that was left burning on the candlestick (in the sanctuary); from which all the other lamps were lighted, yet the light thereof was not lessened a whit.”
Cast upon the Lord, Come and rest with Him.
3. Trust in the Lord and not Underestimate Him (Numbers 11:18-23)
NKJV: And the Lord said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”
ESV: And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
AMP: The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand (ability, power) limited (short, inadequate)?
CSB: The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm weak?
ERV: But the Lord said to Moses, “Don’t limit my power! You will see that I can do what I say I can do.”
GNT: “Is there a limit to my power?” the Lord answered. “You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not!”
MSG: God answered Moses, “So, do you think I can’t take care of you? You’ll see soon enough whether what I say happens for you or not.”
Whenever we underestimate God, our expectations of Him becomes very low. But whenever estimate Him highly there we begin to see His true greatness, hope rises above everything. God so loved the World but what about me? (John 3:16). So what, but the point is Not the world but You, you are His world. So, Jeremiah 31:3 says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Moses doubted, out of frustration, discouragement that God can’t provide. Even though he had seen God doing amazing things, wonders in the past, the inspiring things but still did not believe it could be done.
Far too often when we have a need in our life, or a desire in our heart, we reason like Moses, with our own mind and intellect how it is going to happen, or how God is going to get something to us. We often underestimate God. He is not dependant on anything or anyone to fulfil His word and His promises!
So, Simply believe and confess: “My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
“Now to Him who is able to (carry out His purpose and) do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams), according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)
Is the Lord’s hand too short in 2026? (Numbers 11:23) is the Lord’s hand too short:
- To bless your business to be enlarged
- To bless you with a child, dear young couple
- To give you good health, or healing from diseases and sickness, my dear child of God
- To place you highly, and honourably in your company, in your work dear friend
- To find a partner for your daughter and/or Son, my favoured one
- To solve your problem in the office which you are facing for a long time
- To give you a good job, as per your qualifications, as per your expectations
- To create a better atmosphere in your workplace
To buy own house, or a car or a plot or a flat which you think in 2026
To redeem you from your debts, from your loans, from your unknown fears, from your shortcomings, from your sins
God’s hands are hands of new creation, He created out of nothing, he created everything. He brought the order into the chaotic conditions of the creations which Satan disturbed the order, disturbed the beauty, disrupted the peace upon the earth, but Yahweh brought ever into great God. He is Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah shalom, Jehovah Rapha.
Jeremiah 32:27 says, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”.
The King of Assyria (Sennacherib) & His Rabshakeh: Actively mocked and underestimated God's power to protect Jerusalem, claiming their gods were stronger (2 Kings 18-19).
And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes. (Mark 9:21-23).
The angel persisted Gideon saying, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 6:14-16). Gideon felt too weak for this task. Twice he asked God to give him a sign proving His power and He graciously answered. Gideon then obeyed and delivered his people. While initially fearful, Gideon became a mighty warrior who rescued God’s people. This account reminds us that God understands our doubts and fears. He uses our weaknesses to lead us to depend on Him, and then through our weaknesses, we experience His strength.
Psalm 139:1-6 speaks of an intimately involved and concerned heavenly Father; “You have searched me, Lord and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” God has given us intelligence and choices, but He will also help us with decisions when we ask. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Conclusion:
Is the Lord's hand too short? Never.
1. Trust in the Lord and not Question Him - Numbers 11:1-9
2. Share with others and not carry Alone (Numbers 11:11-17)
3. Understand God not Underestimate Him (Numbers 11:23)
Keep moving with faith and hope. He goes with you.
Say:
Psalm 100:5 says of God, “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
