Sébastien Bourdon creator QS:P170,Q553795, Bourdon Sebastien-Moses and the Burning Bush, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
Few Biblical figures command popular attention as Moses has. Cinematic productions as diverse as the Hollywood epic The Ten Commandments (1956) and DreamWorks’ animated The Prince of Egypt (1998) have brought his story to the screen. Christians recall that Moses and Elijah were the two prophets with Jesus on the mountain of His transfiguration (New International Version Bible, 2011, Mark 9:2-13). It was written that no other prophet since Moses has been like him, “whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deut 34:10). This blog post will roughly sketch out Moses’ transformation into a man “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Num 12:3). It will briefly survey Moses’ youthful audacity, his awareness of weakness, and then outline the others who he relied upon in his leadership. The blog post will then focus on Moses’ reliance on God and His Spirit, serving as someone “faithful in all [God’s] house (Num 12:7), drawing from his example lessons for us today.
Brave Beginnings
Born when Pharaoh decreed that all Hebrew male infants were to be put to death, Moses escaped that dire fate when Pharaoh’s daughter found him floating in a papyrus basket and arranged for his own mother to nurse him (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 2:3-10). Moses’ name is best understood as “rescuer from the water,” not “rescued from the water,” foreshadowing his later role in the Hebrews’ deliverance from bondage in Egypt (Propp, 2000).
While still living in Pharaoh’s palace, Moses ventured outside to witness the treatment of his people by the Egyptians. He killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, rescuing one of his own from harsh treatment (New International Version Bible, Exod 2:11-12). On his next exploration, Moses separated two Hebrews from fighting each other, only for one to confront him and ask, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Exod 2:14). Moses had a sense of justice and the ability to act swiftly (Propp, 2000), but as news of his attempted heroism reached Pharaoh, he wanted to kill him, so Moses fled into the wilderness (Exod 2:15). These early events hinted at his future, to rescue the Israelites from slavery, to lead them, and to be rejected by them (Propp, 2000). They also depicted the futility of courage apart from a reliance on God (Propp, 2000).
Weakness in the Wilderness
Consistent with his character, Moses came to help the daughters of a priest in the land of Midian, protecting them so that they could draw water for their flock (New International Version Bible, Exod 2:16-18). Moses decided to stay with the man and married his daughter Zipporah (Exod 2:21). He belonged nowhere and, as his son’s name suggested, became a sojourner in a foreign land (Propp, 2000).
Years later, when called by God via the burning bush to return to Egypt to lead God’s people out of there, Moses lacked confidence in his own abilities: ““Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 3:11). Despite God’s reassurances, Moses brought up excuse after excuse. Why would the Israelites believe his message? What eloquence did he possess? Could not the LORD send someone else? (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 4:1-13).
Moses was eighty years old by this time (Propp, 2000). He soon found his stride, confronted Pharaoh, and took part in God’s mission to see the Israelites miraculously delivered out of Egypt. Let’s now examine two other characteristics of Moses that earned him the description as the humblest man on earth (New International Version Bible, 2011, Num 12:3).
With the Help of Others
The Hebrew word corresponding to humble in Numbers 12:3 carries the meaning of being poor, afflicted, and meek (Strong’s Hebrew, n.d.). Moses appeared that way when God spoke to him through the burning bush. God quickly surrounded this afflicted, meek man with collaborators to support him in the mission destined for him.
Aaron the Levite, Moses’ brother, came first. To silence Moses’ protests about being ineloquent, God provided a fluent speaker to him (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 4:14-16). God ordered the relationship so that Aaron would be Moses’ mouthpiece and Moses would be like God to Aaron.
Cornelis Holsteyn, ZipporahByCornelisHolsteyn, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
The next to assist Moses was Zipporah, his Midianite wife. Much ink has been spilt discussing how it was that LORD sought to kill Moses so quickly after appointing him to bring God’s message to Pharaoh to deliver the Israelites (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 4:24). Becking (2023) argued that circumcision in ancient Israel marked a rite of passage for a young man and Zipporah, aware of Moses’ oversight in this regard, came to his aid. Derby (1990) considered Zipporah’s actions as meant to relieve the profound emotional burden Moses was feeling. In any event, Zipporah knew that circumcising Moses’ son was the help he needed just as he was setting out on his mission (Davison, 2000). Suffice it to say that Moses needed his wife even before he met Aaron, let alone begin the work God had destined him to perform.
With God guiding and Aaron by his side, Moses effectively led the Hebrews out of Egypt. Moses stretched out his hand and Pharaoh, his chariots, and the Egyptian army were swallowed into the Red Sea (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 14:27). But even with God’s leadership, Moses needed help from someone else, his father-in-law Jethro, as leading the multitude of Israelites in the wilderness began to weigh heavily upon him. Bringing his wife and two sons back to him, Jethro paid homage to God and advised Moses on how to lead so many. Make the major decisions, he told Moses, but leave the minor disputes for leaders of the tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands to decide (Exod 18:21-23). In his humility, Moses accepted the counsel from this Midianite priest.
Another person also deserves mention. Belonging to the clan of Reuel (the same as that of Jethro), Hobab appeared, called upon by Moses to provide guidance as the Israelites made their way in the wilderness to the Promised Land (Albright, 1963). Though Hobab initially refused to go with Moses and the later verses are not entirely conclusive (New International Version Bible, 2011, Num 10: 29-34), scholars generally concurred that Hobab went with Moses, helping as a guide through the desert (Biblehub, n.d.).[1] So, even as he and the Israelites beheld the cloud of the LORD before them as they set out during the day, Moses displayed humility: he readily sought assistance, obtaining all the help that he could get.
Finally, a survey of Moses’ humility would not be complete without mentioning his reliance upon Joshua, his trusted aide, the one whom God appointed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (New International Version Bible, 2011, Deut 31:23).
Relying on the Spirit
So far, this discussion has focused primarily on Moses the man and his leadership. As a younger man, Moses defended the mistreated Hebrew. Forty years later, he remained unconfident that Pharaoh would not listen to him. Over time, Aaron, Zipporah, Jethro, Hobab, Joshua, and the leaders of the smaller groups all came to Moses’ assistance. Moses endured hardship as a leader, such as his people’s grumbling at Marah and the Desert of Sin (New International Version Bible, 2011, Exod 15:22-27, 16: 1-20) and the need to intercede for them when they cast an idol in the shape of a golden calf (Exod 32: 1-14).
Jacob de Wit artist QS:P170,Q3117749
Details on Google Art Project, Jacob de Wit – Moses elects the Council of Seventy Elders – Google Art Project, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
As he served in the wilderness, Moses encountered God’s intervention to help him to meet the demands of leadership. Numbers recorded a crucial story: the people’s murmurings for meat and Moses’ pleas to God for help (New International Version Bible, 2011, Num 11:1-15). God commanded Moses to assemble 70 elders at the Tent of Meeting to help bear the burden:
Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power 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.
—New International Version Bible, 2011, Num 11:16b-17
After Moses spoke honestly back to God, he obeyed His command and witnessed how God “took of the Spirit that was on him [Moses] and put the Spirit on the seventy elders” (Num 11:25b). God shared the burden of leadership on Moses with the seventy.
Moses himself recognized no personal diminishment from this distribution of the burden. Moreover, Joshua alerted Moses to the fact that Eldad and Medad, two men who had not shown up at the Tent of Meeting, had also received the Spirit and prophesied (Num 11:26). Joshua called upon his mentor to stop the two men,
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.
—New International Version Bible, 2011, Num 11:29-30
Despite Joshua’s concerns, Moses was willing for more to share in the Spirit and carry the burden of leadership (Reis, 2005). Moses did not fear being undermined nor want to monopolize the prophetic spirit (Ellis, 2023). His sense of security is evident. Moreover, the prophesying mentioned here were more instructions and admonishments for people in need of guidance than predictions on what the future held (Reis, 2005). Scholars like John Calvin noted how Moses did not pursue personal honor and tied his behavior here with the appraisal of his humility found in Numbers 12:3 (Sommer, 1999).
Conclusion
Moses’ life illustrated the journey of a leader growing in humility. Born in difficult circumstances, Moses possessed a sense of justice and desire to act for God’s people, but he lacked the strength to carry out these noble aims. Over time, others provided him timely help (Zipporah and Jethro) or ongoing support (Aaron, Joshua, Hobab, and other leaders) in his leadership. God’s distributing of His Spirit to ease the burden on Moses and his humility in accepting this arrangement provide great lessons for us today. Barnette (1993) argued that the story of Eldad and Medad foretold the affirmation of Spirit-led gifts in ministry for the early church (New International Version Bible, 2011, Rom 12:3-13; I Cor 12: 4-11, 27-31; Eph 4:7-13; I Pet 4:10-11). In light of how he accepted his inadequacies, welcomed others’ help, and embraced God’s leadership, no wonder Moses could be described as “a very humble man, more humble than anyone on the face of the earth” (New International Version Bible, 2011, Num 12:3).
Questions to Consider
- Personal weaknesses and past experiences often leave us feeling inadequate. Have yours enabled you to rely on God more, or not? Find a friend to discuss this question together.
- Moses received help from numerous others in his life. Who are the three most important helpers in yours? How have they helped you to become the person you are today?
- As leaders we often find security in what we can do and control. How can you grow more into the humble leadership that Moses displayed, where God’s leadership is more recognized? Ask a friend to give you input.
References
Albright, W. F. (1963). Jethro, Hobab and Reuel in early Hebrew tradition. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 25(1), 1–11.
Barnette, J. R. (1993). Numbers 11:14–17, 24–30. Unauthorized prophecy: “Would that all the Lord’s people!” Review & Expositor, 90(4), 553–560. https://doi.org/10.1177/003463739309000408
Becking, B. (2023). Then Zipporah took a Flint … Circumcision as a rite of passage in Exod 4,24-26. Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament, 37(1), 3–16. DOI:10.1080/09018328.2023.2222036
Biblehub. (n.d.). Numbers 10:32. Numbers 10:32 commentaries: “so it will be, if you go with us, that whatever good the lord does for us, we will do for you.” https://biblehub.com/commentaries/numbers/10-32.htm
Davison, L.W. (2000). Zipporah. In D. N. Freedman, A.C. Myers, & A. B. Beck (Eds.), Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (pp. 1422). Eerdmans.
Derby, J. (1990). Why did God want to kill Moses? Jewish Bible Quarterly, 18(4), 222–229. Ellis, A. (2023). The rot of the bones: A new analysis of … (“Envy/Jealousy”) in the Hebrew Bible. Journal of Biblical Literature, 142(3), 385-408. doi:https://doi.org/10.15699/jbl.1423.2023.2
New International Version Bible. (2011). NIV online. https://www.biblestudytools.com/niv/
Propp, W. H. (2000). Moses. In D. N. Freedman, A.C. Myers, & A. B. Beck (Eds.), Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (pp. 919-922). Eerdmans.
Reis, P. T. (2005). Numbers XI: Seeing Moses plain. Vetus Testamentum, 55(2), 207–231.
Sommer, B. D. (1999). Reflecting on Moses: The redaction of Numbers 11. Journal of Biblical Literature, 118(4), 601-624. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/3268106
Strong’s Hebrew: 6035. עָנָו (anav) — poor, afflicted, humble, meek. (n.d.). https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6035.htm
[1] Hobab’s exact relationship to Moses has been the subject of scholarly debate, as have the terms Midianite and Kenite in this context (New International Version Bible, 2011, Judg 1:16, 4:11). Whatever emerges from those discussions, Moses’ reliance on others as a humble leader remains the focus of this paragraph.