“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.’” (Numbers 27:15-17)
“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)
Yes – I know! Nothing to do with an Advent or Christmas theme! But in my systematic daily scripture reading I am currently working through the Book of Numbers. Coming across Numbers 12:3 earlier this month, I mentally assumed that the commendation of Moses as “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” was likely hyperbole and should be taken with a rather large dose of salt. Moses was, of course, not flawless. He was certainly anything but humble when he and his brother Aaron showed huge arrogance in Numbers 20 by implying that they, rather than the Lord, should be credited with bringing water from the rock in a desert place. In chapter 27 it becomes clear that God condemned them both for this and counted it as a sin sufficient to debar them from entering the land the Lord had promised Israel. It even seems a little cruel that Moses is given a glimpse of the ‘holy land’ from Mount Pisgah while being told that he will die in the desert and won’t be allowed to enter the land because of his sin.
And yet, this is where his underlying humility is spectacularly manifested after all. Moses shows not a trace of resentment, offers no appeal and makes no special pleading. He simply accepts his personal fate. His only concern is for the people he has been leading that they will be well led as they enter the very place of promise and of blessing that has been denied to him. He shows no spite or pettiness. There is no self-pity. There is no argument. He demands no reward or thanks for all he has done. He only seeks the best for the people and an orderly transition of leadership. In death he is buried in Moab in an unmarked grave (Deuteronomy 34:6) without a monument. But his humble prayer is amply answered in the appointment of Joshua as his successor. He truly put the interests of others above himself.
And so, I have been reflecting on what it is to serve the Lord. Do we serve self or others? Is any apparent ‘humility’ we exhibit really a public façade unmatched in private? Are we actually Kingdom builders or empire-builders? Are we working to gain a name for self or for the honour of the One who has the Name above all names? Are we seeking monuments and plaudits for ourselves or genuinely are we delighted when others are honoured before ourselves? Are we content that others should prosper and have the best while we ourselves fade into the shadows? Can we be as humble as Moses ultimately was?