“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.” Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”
Numbers 12:1-3 (NIV)
Although the book of Numbers dates back to 1440-1400 B.C, it is considered the best preserved of the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus read the book of Numbers, since He once mentioned the bronze serpent story in the 21st chapter of that book. (John 3:14)
Every good Jewish boy in Jesus’ day, would have been familiar with the stories from the book of Numbers. Under the leadership of Moses, there were healings of poisonous snakebites by gazing at a bronze serpent on a pole, and a story about water gushing out of a rock, when no other water was around. The book of Numbers follows the most important event in Moses’ ministry; receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, which is the pride of Judaism, even to this day.
Pride, however, was not something that Moses was familiar with. That same book of Numbers tells us that Moses was the “most humble man on the face of the earth.” Despite his humility, people tried his patience and he had his share of anxieties, in leading a large group of complainers to the promised land. There were power struggles and some were even trying to replace Moses, but he kept doing what was best for the people, not himself. Studying Moses gives insight into the scriptural perspective of humility.
The book of Numbers tells us that the same Spirit that was upon Moses as a leader, was also given to the 70 elders chosen among the tribes, to assist him, after his laying on of hands. Those elders are described as “men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain.”
The choice of elders sounded good, so Moses laid hands on them and the Spirit came upon them. It sounds like an Old Testament version of Pentecost.
Joshua, Moses’ closest friend, who stood by him long before the selection of the 70 elders, had an issue with two of those elders. With his own prejudice against those two men, he thought that they shouldn’t receive the Spirit, and he urged Moses to exclude them. Moses told Joshua there is nothing to be jealous of, and that he hoped that all people would receive the Spirit.
A special trait about Moses’ humility was in wanting the best for all the people. He didn’t pre-judge those who God anointed to help him, and neither was he prone to favor an elite few. He never even regarded himself as someone more special than the rest, but regarded all the people as part of the family of the tribes of God’s chosen people.
Moses’ brother Aaron and his sister, Miriam, eventually rose up against him as well. They questioned their brother’s leadership, insinuating that they could lead the people better, but the real reason that Aaron and Miriam were critical of him, was their prejudice towards his wife.
Moses took a wife from the land of Cush, which is present day Ethiopia. She was not from any of the tribes of Israel, and of a totally different race. The Cushites were dark skinned people, not Semites. So, besides questioning his calling as a leader, in truth, his siblings were critical of him for choosing a Cushite wife.
The way Moses reacts to all these prejudices and criticisms is key to why he is called the most humble man on the face of the earth. When someone complained against him, he didn’t argue to defend his honor, nor did he ask God to punish his enemies. He kept doing what was right, and then asked God for mercy, interceding for his enemies in prayer.
Moses’ prayer to the Lord was,
“Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” (Numbers 14:19)
Most leaders of that period in Moses’ position, would condemn or remove all who were against him. Moses, instead, sought the welfare of the people and prayed for them. His selfless spirit, had no concern for his own popularity, honor or dignity. He had the spirit of a humble shepherd, interceding for his flock.
Moses probably hoped his chosen people would behave like people who were chosen, and lead the rest of the world to faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses responded to criticism as Jesus told us to do, if we were in that situation, saying “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
Anyone who has ever been in a leadership role, whether in church or in a place of employment, and has been criticized for doing the right thing, can relate to Moses. Those who have been criticized for their choice of a marriage partner, and suffered disapproval by friends or family, can also relate to Moses.
Despite being misunderstood, Moses’ response is always in line with Jesus’ teachings and New Testament standards. Paul’s advice to every believer, not only leaders, actually sounds like something Moses would have wrote:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
(Philippians 2:3-4)
Lord, thank you for Moses’ example as a leader, who was ahead of his time. Give us the wisdom and humility to pray and intercede for those we lead, and to also be supportive toward those who lead us. Amen
