Numbers 11:12

Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

Have I conceived {H2029} all this people {H5971}? have I begotten {H3205} them, that thou shouldest say {H559} unto me, Carry {H5375} them in thy bosom {H2436}, as a nursing father {H539} beareth {H5375} the sucking child {H3243}, unto the land {H127} which thou swarest {H7650} unto their fathers {H1}?

Did I conceive this people? Was I their father, so that you tell me, 'Carry them in your arms, like a nurse carrying a baby, to the land you swore to their ancestors?'

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers?

Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

Commentary

Context of Numbers 11:12

Numbers 11:12 is a poignant cry from Moses to God, revealing the immense burden he felt while leading the Israelites through the wilderness. This lament comes after the people, tired of manna, complained bitterly and wept for meat (Numbers 11:4). Their persistent discontent and lack of faith, despite God's miraculous provision, overwhelmed Moses, leading him to question his capacity and role in their lives. The scene sets the stage for God's provision of quail and the subsequent appointment of seventy elders to help Moses carry the load (Numbers 11:16).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Burden of Leadership: Moses expresses profound exhaustion and frustration, feeling as if he alone is responsible for an entire nation's care and complaints. This highlights the immense psychological and emotional toll that leadership, especially over a challenging populace, can take.
  • Human Limitation vs. Divine Responsibility: Moses' rhetorical questions – "Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them?" – underscore his recognition that he is not their ultimate parent or provider. He implicitly acknowledges that only God has the capacity for such a monumental task, contrasting his human frailty with God's divine power and covenant faithfulness.
  • God's Parental Care: The imagery Moses uses, "as a nursing father beareth the sucking child," ironically points to God's own nurturing character. While Moses feels incapable of providing such care, God repeatedly demonstrates His parental love and provision for Israel throughout their journey, carrying them and sustaining them just as a father cares for his child (Deuteronomy 1:31).
  • The Promised Land and Covenant: Moses reminds God of the ultimate destination and the divine promise: "unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers." This serves as a plea, grounding his complaint in the context of God's unfulfilled covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:7).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "nursing father" (Hebrew: 'omen) conveys a deep sense of care, nurture, and sustained provision. It is not merely about conceiving or begetting, but about the ongoing, intimate care given to a helpless infant. Moses is saying he cannot provide this level of constant, intimate sustenance for millions, especially when they are so demanding. This term emphasizes the profound responsibility he feels, which he believes only a true parent, or ultimately God, can bear.

Practical Application

Numbers 11:12 offers several timeless lessons:

  • Empathy for Leaders: It encourages understanding and empathy for those in leadership positions, who often carry heavy burdens and face immense pressure, even from those they serve.
  • The Need for Support and Delegation: Moses' lament ultimately leads to the establishment of the seventy elders, illustrating the importance of delegating and sharing responsibilities in leadership to prevent burnout and ensure effective ministry or governance.
  • Trust in God's Ultimate Provision: The verse reminds us that while human leaders play crucial roles, ultimate responsibility and the capacity to sustain come from God alone. When we feel overwhelmed, we are called to bring our burdens to Him, knowing He is the true "nursing father" who cares for His children (1 Peter 5:7).
  • The Dangers of Complaining: The Israelites' constant complaining is the catalyst for Moses' distress, serving as a cautionary tale about how discontent can weigh down leaders and hinder progress.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 40:11 (6 votes)

    He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.

  • Isaiah 49:23 (6 votes)

    And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

  • Exodus 13:5 (5 votes)

    And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (5 votes)

    ¶ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

  • Genesis 50:24 (3 votes)

    And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

  • Genesis 26:3 (3 votes)

    Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

  • John 10:11 (2 votes)

    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.