Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any person who was on the face of the earth.)

Moses was humble? I find that description of Moses to be fascinating! I’ve read through the book of Exodus at least a handful of times in my life, and if someone were to ask me to characterize Moses, I doubt that “humble” would come to mind. I would describe him as a man of faith. I would say he was a man of wholehearted loyalty, both to God, and also to the many tribes of his troublesome cousins! (He burned with righteous indignation at their idolatrous calf worship, yet fasted 40 days and nights as he interceded for God not to annihilate them for their treachery.)  

Though Moses was initially scared and shy when God called him to lead His people to the Promised Land, he finally yielded to God, and thereafter led the Israelites, not with self-confidence, but with faith that God would fulfill His words to His people.

God has always been intentional with His every word and action, and He purposefully included Numbers 12:3 in His Word so all would know that the man was tremendously humble! It’s interesting to me that though Moses’ humility was noteworthy enough to record, nowhere in scripture was it elaborated upon!  So I let my imagination do a bit of elaborating! I imagine that though he was the leader of thousands, he was humble enough to take out the trash, pitch his own tent and even help someone else put up theirs.  Though he was chosen by YHWH Himself to be the leader, I don’t think he used his position to take advantage of others. I’ve no doubt that his family, friends, and any who were close enough to observe could have testified of Moses’ humble attitude.

As I pondered all of this, I asked myself “Why? What made Moses so extraordinarily humble?” But then I remembered Moses’ favorite pastime: 

Exodus 33:7-11 Moses took the tent and pitched it outside the camp…and he called it the tent of meeting. …And when Moses went out to the tent, all the people would get up and stand at the entrance to their tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses…face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp.…

Moses would meet with the God of all creation face to face. This didn’t just happen once, it was a routine they had! At such an amazing invitation, you’d think Moses would believe he had tremendous bragging rights! (Surely I’d have been often tempted to do a little name-dropping if I’d experienced what Moses did.) But clearly Moses cherished his time with God, and their time together left him nothing but humble. Each time they met, Moses saw again and again what YHWH was like. He experienced God’s love and compassion as God shared His heart for His people. He understood God’s power, wisdom, strength, and knowledge and knew first-hand that no man could ever come close to being so perfectly magnificent. I think that surely, to the extent our eyes are opened to the greatness and beauty of God’s holiness, our own pride dissipates.

Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Bible. Psalm 90 is also attributed to him. When you remember that the psalm was penned by the man who often met face to face with God, you get a glimpse of what their time together taught him. We’ve but read or heard these truths…Moses learned them first hand! Here’s a few nuggets from his psalm. As you read, picture Moses sitting in the tent with God, looking in wonder at His face, saying,

“O Lord, you have been our protector through all generations! Even before the mountains came into existence, or you brought the world into being, you were the eternal God. You make mankind return to the dust, and say, “Return, O people!” Yes, in your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday that quickly passes, or like one of the divisions of the nighttime. … So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely…Satisfy us in the morning with your loyal love! Then we will shout for joy and be happy all our days! … May your servants see your work! May their sons see your majesty! May our sovereign God extend his favor to us! Make our endeavors successful! Yes, make them successful!” – Psalm 90:1-4, 12, 14, 16-17

Almighty God, Your Son has called us His friends. As I come away and sit quietly with You day after day, I ask that You daily deepen my understanding of Your beauty, Your greatness, and Your holiness. And may it always leave me humbled before both You and any with whom I find myself. I love You Abba! Amen.