The Bible and Depression Bible Study
Week 8 - Moses is Restored
Brief Review
In Step 3 we looked at a prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-3 about Jesus Christ. We saw that Jesus was anointed by God to bring the garment of praise for relief from the spirit of heaviness.
In Step 1, Step 2, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6 and Step 7 we studied the Biblical record of depression of Elijah, Job, Hannah, David and Jonah. The Lord Restored all five, but the Bible does not tell us that Jonah was Restored a second time.
Depression – A Study of Moses and Depression
Moses has a very important role in the Bible. It was Moses who not only was the Scribe for the first five books of the Bible but brought the Law to the children of Israel. Let’s look at some background.
Exodus 2:1-10 gives the background on Moses becoming an adopted son of Pharaoh.
But later in his life Moses was selected by God to lead the descendants of Jacob, the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Exodus 3:1ff
God selects Moses to free His people - the children of Israel. Let’s look at verses 21 and 22:
21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.
22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
Moses Suffers Depression – Spirit of Heaviness
While they were in the wilderness, many of the people
began to complain. We see Moses fall into what today would be diagnosed as
depression.
Numbers 11:10-15
10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.
11 And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
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?
13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.
14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
Can you recognize any symptoms of depression in this passage? The following is a list:
· Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?
· thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
· thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child,
· into the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?
· wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight,
· I am not able to bear all this people alone.
· because it [burden] is too heavy for me.
· kill me, I pray thee, out of hand,
· let me not see my wretchedness.
Are some of these symptoms the same or similar to those we have seen in Elijah, Job, Hannah, David and Jonah? Moses has been bearing the burden of all the people and it is too much for him. As we see from these passages, Satan has used one his tools - the spirit of heaviness, to attack Moses.
But Moses put his focus on God, and it is from God that his Restoration comes.
The Restoration of Moses
In the verses listed above, Moses is presenting his dilemma to God. God responds:
Numbers 11:16-17
16 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
God instructs Moses to select 70 men to share the spirit that has afflicted Moses.
Numbers 11:24-25
24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the Lord, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.
25 And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
The burden is no longer carried by Moses alone and is no longer too much to bear. Moses has been restored. The Lord Restores His People!
Just as Moses, with God’s direction was able to share his burden we should help our brothers and sisters share their burdens.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-17
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
