Feet of clay ∙∙

Feet of clay ∙∙

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. – 1 Kings 19:3

Numbers 11:14-15

14 [Moses said] I cannot carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!
15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Please do me a favor and spare me this misery!

Feet of Clay – Hidden Flaws in Greatness

The term “feet of clay” is a vivid expression that first emerged in the mid-1700s. It is an idiom, that is, a phrase or expression whose figurative meaning cannot be deduced from its literal definition. It refers to a hidden flaw or weakness lurking beneath the surface of an otherwise much-admired individual. These shortcomings are often undetected at first but have the potential to undermine greatness, revealing the flaws even the most celebrated heroes may have.

The phrase specifically refers to individuals who appear untouchable, often seen as models of virtue or strength. However, their hidden vulnerabilities reveal the reality that no one is immune to failure or imperfection. They have feet of clay. The phrase specifically refers to individuals who appear untouchable, often seen as models of virtue or strength. However, their hidden vulnerabilities reveal the reality that no one is immune to failure or imperfection. They have feet of clay.

Biblical Origins

The idiom has its roots in the Bible, specifically in the book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had a haunting and mysterious dream of a colossal statue, which the prophet Daniel interpreted.

Daniel 2:31-33 vividly describes the statue: a statue of a man with a head made of gold, arms and chest of silver, a torso and thighs of brass, and legs of iron. The statue’s feet, rather than being composed entirely of metal, were an odd amalgam of iron and potter’s clay. The feet were the weakest point. Despite the statue’s outward grandeur, the fragile feet represented extreme vulnerability. When struck, the entire structure collapsed, revealing the tenuousness of its strength. This imagery became a timeless reminder that even greatness can be undone by hidden weaknesses.

Heroes with Feet of Clay

While tales of triumph and heroism often enthrall us, it’s important to remember that no human being is without fault. All children of the King have feet of clay. The Bible itself doesn’t shy away from exposing the shortcomings of even the most devout men and women of faith.

Some disguise the fact better than others. We should not expect too much from our heroes of the faith, certainly not perfection. Each one of the characters in the Bible had lapses in judgment or worse, with the singular exception of Daniel (Daniel 6:4).

Elijah, for example, was a prophet fiercely loyal to God, yet even he faltered under pressure.

Elijah’s Fear and Fleeing

Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal is one of the Bible’s most dramatic moments. He boldly stood against hundreds of Baal’s prophets, proving to the people of Israel that his God alone is the true God. When Queen Jezebel vowed to kill him, he was targeted for death; instead of confronting her, he fled (1 Kings 19:1-8).

1 Kings 19:2-3 recounts Jezebel’s threat and Elijah’s reaction, “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them. Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.”

Ironically, openly threatening Elijah was not an effective strategy for hunting him down and eliminating him. Jezebel’s loud threat actually gave Elijah an advantage by providing him with the opportunity to escape. However, her intent likely extended beyond merely wanting to kill Elijah. She was furious and sought vengeance not only on him but also on his God. Elijah had publicly ridiculed the prophets of Baal, the prophets of her god. She wanted to see the God of Elijah mocked and humiliated in front of everyone.

She made a strategic move by threatening Elijah. By chasing Elijah into a panicked retreat, she hoped to undermine the authority of the God he served. This played right into Jezebel’s hands, and people began to mock the power of Elijah’s God, questioning why he would flee if his God were truly omnipotent. Elijah’s actions, from a human standpoint, were unacceptable. He had an opportunity to stand firm in his beliefs, but this “divinely trained prophet was to prove a notable failure” (Patterson and Austel).

Elijah’s Weakness Exposed

Elijah’s actions put him in a vulnerable position, both physically and spiritually. From a human perspective, his retreat was a failure. He had an opportunity to defy Jezebel’s intimidation and demonstrate his unwavering faith. Instead, his fear and tiredness overcame him, and he ran.

Donald J. Wiseman analyzed this moment as exhibiting the symptoms of what we might now label as depression or burnout. Wiseman writes, “The Bible typically exposes the weakness of a man of God, for Elijah exhibited symptoms of manic depression, wishing for death, together with loss of appetite, an inability to manage, and with excessive self-pity. He was unmoved by visitors, even by a visit from God and visions, but was restored when given a new and demanding task to fulfill.”

While Elijah was undeniably a man of God, he was also human. His fear revealed the clay beneath his otherwise iron resolve. This was an essential reminder for future children of the King that even those closest to God are not immune to struggles.

REFLECT & PRAY

Wiersbe explains, “So sinful is the human heart that it’s prone to forget God’s blessings, ignore God’s promises, and find fault with God’s providence.”

Father, how many times have I deserved to be squashed like a bug? Yet Your gentle mercy and loving kindness constrain You. You are always prepared to provide the necessary refreshment and change.

INSIGHT

Moses, A Prophet Set Apart

Despite his immense responsibility and unique relationship with God, Moses, too, had “feet of clay.” He was a man chosen and empowered for a task unlike any other. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, performed mighty miracles, and interceded for his people repeatedly. Indeed, Moses was set apart from all prophets who would come after him.

God Himself described this exceptional connection in Numbers 12:8, “I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.”

Despite his privileged position, Moses remained humble. Scripture notes, in Numbers 12:3, that Moses was “very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Yet even Moses, whose faith and leadership were extraordinary, had moments in his life when things overwhelmed him, and he felt that he could no longer bear it.

A Rabble of Complaints

Throughout his leadership, Moses often faced the grumbling and dissatisfaction of the Israelites. Among them was a “mixed multitude,” a group of foreign followers who had joined their exodus from Egypt. Their discontent became contagious. These whiners are given to almost continuous moaning and complaining. They never seem to be satisfied with any provision from the Father. They simply got tired of the miraculous, monotonous manna He provided from heaven.

Numbers 11:4-5 describes the atmosphere of complaint: “Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. ‘Oh, for some meat!’ they exclaimed. ‘We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.’”

The irony of their nostalgia is striking. These people, who had cried out under the cruel yoke of slavery, now longed for the food of Egypt, selectively forgetting the harshness of their bondage. Their complaints concealed a deeper issue – a desire to return to the pleasures of Egypt and a lack of trust in the Father’s provision.

Moses Reaches His Breaking Point

Caught in the middle of a discontented people and a holy, patient-but-rightfully-angered God, Moses found himself overwhelmed. He had faithfully endured their grumbling before, but this time, their endless complaints about the manna and request for meat pushed him over the edge. Even mighty Moses lost sight of the Father’s sovereignty.

Moses turned to God, not with faith, but with raw frustration. His words in Numbers 11:11-15 vividly capture his despair: Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly?” “What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?” “I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!”

And most tellingly, Moses pleaded: Numbers 11:15, “If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”

This anguished outcry shows the depth of Moses’ humanity. He felt overburdened, exhausted, and unable to continue under the crushing weight of his leadership responsibilities.

Can you hear the sound of a bug being squashed?

God’s Gracious Response

Rather than the Father treating Moses harshly, He recognized that the real problem was that Moses was overworked, exhausted, and needed a break. While Moses’ complaints might sound like rebellion, God didn’t treat them as such. Instead, the Father graciously acknowledged Moses’ struggle. He didn’t rebuke him for his frustration but instead provided a practical and compassionate solution.

Numbers 11:17 reveals God’s response, “I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.”

God appointed seventy elders to assist Moses in his leadership role. By redistributing the burden, God provided Moses with the relief he desperately needed. Moses was given a well-deserved vacation. This was not a punishment, but an act of mercy. It demonstrates God’s deep understanding of human weakness and His willingness to support His servants.

All children of the King should give thanks to the Father for His steadfast love and for the wonderful things He has done for them (Psalms 107:31).

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© Dr. H 2025