Fatigue is a condition we frequently experience and have grown accustomed to living with. When someone says, “You look very tired,” we often instinctively reply, “Yes, I’ve been really busy lately.” Unless we experience physical ailments, persistent low moods, or a loss of motivation in everything, we tend to assume that we can keep pushing forward and enduring on our own.

       The Book of Exodus vividly describes Moses’ exhaustion using the expression “wear out”: “You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” (Exodus 18:18). In the original language, the expression “wear out” is also used to describe the falling and withering of flowers and leaves, as in “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (Psalm 1:3) and “the flowers fall” (Isaiah 40:7). The words “wither,” “fall,” and “wear out” all stem from the same word. A leaf, when green and full of life, would turn sunlight into energy with its chlorophyll. However, through continuous use, the chlorophyll eventually breaks down, the leaf turns golden or reddish orange, loses moisture, and dries up. When the wind blows, the withered leaf falls. This is how fatigue works. After constant laboring, the heart and spirit will eventually be depleted.

        Seeing how tirelessly Moses worked and served, his father-in-law pointedly told him: “What you are doing is not good” (Exodus 18:17). The phrase “not good” in v.17 corresponds directly with “alone” in v.18. When combined, they mean “It is not good to be alone.” God’s people who listen to the Bible carefully will certainly find a striking parallel to Genesis 2:18: “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”

        When God created humanity, He did not make Adam alone. He also created Eve to be his helper. Furthermore, they were to multiply and fill the earth. In God’s creation order, men are never meant to live in isolation. We need a community to share in God’s mandate for us to steward the earth. Even for God’s servant Moses, having to handle everything alone was “not good.” When people went to Moses to resolve cases, there was a long queue. How could he handle everything alone?

        Carrying everything alone leads to exhaustion – both physically and mentally. Today, we commonly refer to this as “burnout.” In your family, fellowship, or church community, is there just one person or a few taking responsibility and taking care of everything? Sometimes, we may think that those who are determined, talented, or have good relationship with God can shoulder everything. However, this does not align with God’s creation order.

        Be careful that if this continues, not only will you become exhausted, but others around you will feel drained as well! To journey together in genuine fellowship means not waiting until someone has given so much that they become completely drained and worn down in spirit and appearance before realizing the need to share the burden in the family. Those who bear responsibilities must also let others walk with them to avoid “burnout.” This way, everyone could journey farther together.