What does "Is the LORD's arm too short?" teach about trusting God's promises? Setting the Scene: Moses’ Crisis of Confidence - Numbers 11 records Israel complaining about manna and craving meat. - Moses looks at the desert, counts the people, and panics: “Where can I get meat for all these people?” (v. 13). - God replies, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass” (Numbers 11:23). “The LORD’s Arm” — A Picture of Unlimited Power - In Scripture, the “arm” of the LORD is a vivid way of talking about His power and ability to act on behalf of His people (Deuteronomy 7:19; Isaiah 52:10). - Asking whether that arm is “too short” is divine irony. It exposes the absurdity of doubting God’s capacity. Echoes Across the Bible - Genesis 18:14: “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (spoken to childless Abraham and Sarah). - Isaiah 59:1: “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.” - Jeremiah 32:27: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” - Luke 1:37: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” - Ephesians 3:20: He “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine.” What the Question Teaches About Trust • God’s promises are backed by His power. – Promise (“I will give them meat,” Numbers 11:19-20) and power (His “arm”) are inseparable. • Human calculations are unreliable gauges of divine capability. – Moses counted six hundred thousand men (Numbers 11:21) but forgot to count God. • Doubt focuses on visible shortage; faith focuses on invisible sufficiency. • God often lets need become obvious so His provision becomes undeniable, strengthening trust for the future. • The question invites self-examination: every fear, delay, or obstacle asks us again, “Is His arm suddenly shorter than before?” Living It Out Today - Recall past deliverances: rehearse moments when God’s “arm” carried you. - Read promises aloud, linking each to His power: • Philippians 4:19 — provision. • Isaiah 41:10 — presence and strength. • John 10:28-29 — eternal security. - Replace “how can this be?” with “nothing is too hard for the LORD.” - Step forward in obedience even when resources look thin; trust that His arm is still long enough to supply, guide, and save. |
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