Moses—The Kind and Humble Leader
The story of Moses is one that has traveled all over the world, a tribute to the admiration and respect it has earned among many generations and cultures. “Moses” is the name that makes the entire Jewish society swell with pride and rejoice at the greatness of this renowned deliverer. But beyond what the world knows about Moses, or whatever the Jewish tradition may emphasize about this great man of God, what really stays with people is that beautiful Bible story that the children remember—the story of the little ark with the tiny baby Moses crying.
The God of Israel was tenderly watching over His oppressed people during 400 long years of slavery. Now the Author of time was ready to fulfill the prophecy and deliver His children through the gift that was to be called “Moses.”
Moses came into the picture when Pharaoh’s greed, hatred, and personal malicious ambitions had reached their climax. Moses was God’s reply to the “pride-sick” empire of Egypt. The Egyptian pharaoh had hoped that Joseph’s death would erase from the memory of his nation the God of Joseph that had preserved them all. Yet we read that the more the Egyptian taskmasters afflicted the Hebrews, “the more they multiplied and grew” ().
Whenever the people representing the church of God have faced the most ferocious persecution under different kings and emperors, instead of decreasing in number, they have multiplied. Thus the love of God is spread in as many hearts as possible—and so it happened that the God of Moses would be the God of future generations of many believers.
To all appearances, it seemed that Moses was born in the wrong time and in the wrong place. But the God of heaven does not need to explain to anyone His purpose or intentions. Therefore, in such circumstances the faith of Moses’ parents—Amram and Jochebed—grew strong and the Lord rewarded their courage. Jochebed’s faith was beyond human reasoning, and the angels of God were sent to protect the child for a very important mission. The very decree that intended to destroy the child was overruled by Providence.
An Egyptian citizen
As the little ark of bulrushes floated alone on the Nile, the winds and the currents of the great river submitted to the will of God, piloting it to the place where Pharaoh’s daughter had come to wash herself. At first she was surprised, but when she opened the ark, seeing the most helpless amongst the helpless, her heart was profoundly and gently touched by the sight of this little infant. Now Moses had a “mother” and a home—and from this time on, Egypt would have a future. The hero of this chapter is Jochebed, the true mother that was to give the baby the best of the best educations as far as a human ever received. Jochebed was the mother that fought against time, and she used every single second, counting the days, sparing the nights, till the painful moment would come when her son had to face the most subtle test with which a man of his time could be confronted.
Being adopted as a grandson of Pharaoh and heir to the throne, Moses received the highest military and civil training—as a general he was a man of war. Ultimately, he became the icon of national pride. The greatest panorama a human eye could ever imagine was displayed before Moses; the attractions of the world and luxurious pleasures were at his feet, ready to enrich his passions and satisfy his “self.” Would he fall, or would he stand for his “first love,” the God of his childhood?
“Moses was fitted to take pre-eminence among the great of the earth, to shine in the courts of its most glorious kingdom, and to sway the scepter of its power. . . .As historian, poet, philosopher, general of armies, and legislator, he stands without a peer.Yet with the world before him,he had the moral strength to refuse the flattering prospects of wealth, greatness, and fame, ‘choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God’ (1).”
In the name of justice
Exactly when the world of Egypt was ready to see the change that was to secure the future of this empire, Moses committed the unforgivable deed and became a national traitor.
“In slaying the Egyptian, Moses had fallen into the same error so often committed by his fathers, of taking into their own hands the work that God had promised to do. It was not God’s will to deliver His people by warfare, as Moses thought, but by His own mighty power, that the glory might be ascribed to Him alone. Yet even this rash act was overruled by God to accomplish His purposes. Moses was not prepared for his great work.”2
In the eyes of many, Moses’ act was legitimate, based on human reasoning and morality. Human solutions are often more popular than God’s solutions, because they involve human merit, catering to the misguided human tendency to try to merit salvation.
“The rashness of Moses in slaying the Egyptian was prompted by apresumptuous spirit. Faith moves in the strength and wisdom of God, and not in the ways of men.”3
How many have been killed, tortured, persecuted, or ostracized in the name of God or in the name of justice? Whenever we are filled with the same type of emotions that tend to hijack our faith and obedience to God, we are likely to behave in the same manner in otherwise legitimate social, religious, or legislative circumstances. Moses, the Pharaoh-to-be, the man of the sword, had to be born again, yet he was not ready. Would-be deliverers first need to be delivered from their own hatred within themselves. Spiritual “surgery” was needed in order to cut away the long buildup of hatred against Egyptian bondage; Moses needed a new heart and a new spirit.
“The influences that had surrounded [Moses] in Egypt—the love of his foster mother, his own high position as the king’s grandson, the dissipation on every hand, the refinement, the subtlety, and the mysticism of a false religion, the splendor of idolatrous worship, the solemn grandeur of architecture and sculpture—all had left deep impressions upon his developing mind and had molded, to some extent, his habits and character. Time, change of surroundings, and communion with God could remove these impressions. It would require on the part of Moses himself a struggle as for life to renounce error and accept truth, but God would be his helperwhen the conflict should be too severe for human strength.”4
If we look at Moses’ history, we can easily notice that his life was divided into 40-year segments. At the age of 40, he was ready to rule the world by the power of the sword. He was ready deliver his nation by human strength—but was not readyto leadthe people of God out of bondage. Providence deemed it necessary to assign another 40 years to remove Egypt from the heart of Moses.
“Such was the experience that Moses gained by his forty years of training in the desert. To impart such an experience, Infinite Wisdomcounted not the period too long or the price too great.”5
Around the age of 80, Moses finally understood that he was to be the shepherd, not the warrior—and thus he received the commission from God with such a meek and humble spirit that the Bible calls him “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” ().
“Moses did not merely think of God, he saw Him. God was the constant vision before him. Never did he lose sight of His face.
To Moses faith was no guesswork; it was a reality. He believed that God ruled his life in particular; and in all its details he acknowledged Him. For strength to withstand every temptation, he trusted in Him.”6
The uniqueness of Moses surfaced at the time of great apostasy: the worship of the golden calf. He took a firm stand against the sin of his nation, yet he balanced out the situation when his love for them would eventually inspire him to pray what might be the most unique prayer a mortal has ever uttered.
“Entering the camp, Moses passed through the crowds of revelers, and seizing upon the idol, cast it into the fire. He afterward ground it to powder, and having strewed it upon the stream that descended from the mount, he made the people drink of it. Thus was shown the utter worthlessness of the god which they had been worshiping.”7This is what it means to stand firm against sin. It may look very merciless, but this was the right attitude because of the genuine love he had for them as people and his jealousy for the honor and glory of God.
“Love no less than justice demanded that for this sin [of worshipping the golden calf] judgment should be inflicted. God is the guardian as well as the sovereign of His people. He cuts off those who are determined upon rebellion, that they may not lead others to ruin. . . .
“It was the mercy of God that thousands should suffer, to prevent the necessity of visiting judgments upon millions. In order to save the many, He must punish the few.”8
The tribe of Levi had taken no part in the idolatrous worship, and some from other tribes signified their repentance. “But a large company, mostly of the mixed multitude that instigated the making of the calf, stubbornly persisted in their rebellion. In the name of ‘the Lord, God of Israel,’ Moses now commanded those upon his right hand, who had kept themselves clear of idolatry, to gird on their swords and slay all who persisted in rebellion. ‘And there fell of the people that day about three thousand men’ (9). Without regard to position, kindred, or friendship, the ringleaders in wickedness were cut off; but all who repented and humbled themselves were spared.”
This was the “justice” part of Moses’ character-building in behalf of God. Afterwards, he went to intercede for the ones who had been guilty, yet had repented. “Ye have sinned a great sin,” he said, “and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.” He went, and in his confession before God he said, “Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their sin—; andif not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” ().
What a prayer is this! For many years we have desired to sing “the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb” but few have grasped the concept of what is the meaning of this song, what is the passion, what will be the emotional charge of our heart when we’ll sing this song, and to what a degree this song will reflect the object lesson of our personal earthly journey and experience. Have we prayed like Moses, saying: “Lord, if you do not bring back my son or my daughter, if you do not forgive the sin of my people, my congregation, if you do not accept their repentance, then: “if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written”?
After analyzing personally this historical “clip,” I understood for myself that not every man who calls himself a leader is a true leader and not everybody can be a leader. We tend to view Moses as the man of the sword and Aaron, his blood brother, as a decent man, “balanced,” intellectual, easygoing, popular with the people, and with a lot of charisma. But where was Aaron when Moses pleaded for his life as well? Where was he in that position to say: “If not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written”? Now I see! Easygoing, ease-loving Aaron by comparison loved himself while Moses loved his flock. Aaron feared for his life, Moses did not; Aaron did not care for the people of Israel; Moses was ready to die for them—that was the difference. I ask the Lord Jesus forgiveness in behalf of all of us, for all the instances in which we may have been in such a sad, defeating position as that of Aaron.
On the other hand, by daily devotion, Moses allowed God to make him what he was. Am I willing to do the same? The perfect chemistry between justice and mercy found a perfect balance in the life of this great man of God. Besides Jesus Christ and apostle Paul (), here is a man that was willing to switch destinies with his people. His name was Moses—and that is why we will sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.
After so many years of toil with the rebellious, murmuring, stubborn people, Moses was overtaken by the error of his adulthood. In a single moment of weariness, his patience faded out, and the human element failed to give honor to God. The aged Moses smote the rock twice. It was only necessary to speak to the rock, but by striking it he was actually defying the symbol of Christ. In thus taking the honor and power upon himself, Moses dishonored the Creator. On one single point, in one single instance after so many years of obedience, Moses committed an error that forfeited his future in the promised land. ().
“The great Ruler of nations had declared that Moses was not to lead the congregation of Israel into the goodly land, and the earnest pleading of God’s servant could not secure a reversing of His sentence. He knew that he must die. Yet he had not for a moment faltered in his care for Israel. He had faithfully sought to prepare the congregation to enter upon the promised inheritance.”10
What a leader, knowing that he would no longer be part of the “Promised Land Project”! Now he had lost this privilege for himself, yet he still preserved the same self-sacrificing spirit for Israel. He did not utter any blame on anyone else; he humbly, without any murmur, accepted his fate and unconditionally obeyed God.
The second great prayer of Moses’ life was uttered for himself: “I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon” (). The best human language possible, the strongest passion, the most intense and agonizing plea were surely invested in every single breath of that prayer. Yet it was the first time Moses would hear the word “NO” from the One that was his dear Friend, Advisor, Counselor, and ultimately his God. All other prayers had been answered positively—all but this one. How painful it was for him, yet he humbly submitted to the voice that said: “Get thee up . . . unto Mount Nebo, . . . and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people” ( ).
“Moses had often left the camp, in obedience to the divine summons, to commune with God; but he was now to depart on a new and mysterious errand. He must go forth to resign his life into the hands of his Creator. Moses knew thathe was to die alone; no earthly friend would be permitted to minister to him in his last hours.”11
But our God who is always an awesome God and an amazing God—preserved the ultimate, sweetest lesson for His friend Moses for the last. What made me to be in woe and adoration at the feet of Jesus was this last lesson. . . . When Jesus told Moses that he would not go into the promised land, Moses could not see anything beyond but the grave. He did have the hope of the resurrection; he knew that he was forgiven because his repentance was almost instantaneous. God revealed to him that He forgave him, yet with old, tired human eyes, Moses could only see the end of his life. One of the greatest speeches uttered by a human tongue was the speech of farewell towards his beloved flock. There was no time in the process of the exodus when Israel would have listened with so much respect, compassion, woeful regrets, pity, and tears for their leader as in this one last final speech of Moses. They were crying; if they could do something to keep him among them they would have done it—even worship his dead body, if possible. There was no time when Moses was more valued then now, but God’s verdict was firm. The last embrace was given, the last words spoken. Heavily loaded with concern for his loved ones, weary, and tired, he climbed the mountain alone.
What a compassionate shepherd! All heaven was beholding this scene. Oh, if Moses’ eyes could have been opened, if for a second he would have seen his beloved FRIEND walking beside him. . . . But, no, he had to drink the cup alone and to meditate under the influence of his Master, upon his past, present, and future life.
At the end, the love of God breaks through the cloud of his mind—banishing darkness and bringing light to every single chamber of it. With the full strength of His divine love, the Lord reveals to Moses the time ahead, the great controversy, the drama extending until the close of history—when he sees that the One who opens the gates of the Holy City is Christ! What a powerful moment, what a discovery! “It is enough,” exclaimed his heart. “I will be there with Him.” Moses saw that the honor that Christ bestowed upon him was far beyond his expectation. The earthly promised land faded into insignificance in comparison with the great vision he saw.
Definitely Moses was one of the greatest heroes of the Bible, signifying Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the World in all aspects of his life, identifying himself with the sufferings of his people, compassionately understanding their needs and infirmities. And ultimately, heaven is Jesus Christ our Redeemer—He is the sense, the rationale of everything we do in this life and in the life to come.
1 . [Emphasis added.]
2 Ibid., p. 247.
3 . [Emphasis added.]
4 . [Emphasis added.]
5 . [Emphasis added.]
6 Ibid., p. 63. [Emphasis added.]
8 Ibid., p. 325.
9 Ibid., p. 324.
10 Ibid., p. 469.
11 Ibid., p. 470. [Emphasis added.]