If anyone ever had a reason to be proud of where they were and believe they were worthy of respect it was Moses. The first leader of the people of Israel who was not in that position as a father of the nation. But was instead chosen by God to lead His people. The man God had used to perform many miraculous wonders and signs. Including splitting the red sea and subsequently destroying the Egyptian army in it. The very man who possibly spoke more to God one on one than anyone else who ever lived. Used to deliver the law, Ten Commandments, the tabernacle plan, and so much more.
But Moses wasn’t a proud man and didn’t view himself as higher than anyone else. In fact, the Bible records that he was the meekest person on the face of the earth. Moses was a humble man who simply lived to serve his God. Even when his own siblings spoke against him, Moses proved to be a gentle and humble man. Living in a way that aligns with scripture written long after his time. It would seem from the scriptural account that as his siblings spoke against him he didn’t even fight back, argue, get upset, or even mad.
Numbers 12:1–4 (ESV)
1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. 2 And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. 3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. 4 And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out.
However, God did get upset with Miriam and Aaron. As the Bible says vengeance is the Lords and that is what we see in this case. Moses allowed them to speak against himself but the Lord would not allow it. God called them all to the tabernacle where He commanded Moses and struck Miriam with a plague of leprosy.
Numbers 12:6–10 (ESV)
6 And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed.
10 When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Many of us would be thankful if the Lord punished someone who wronged us. We would believe they got what they deserved and leave them to suffer in their punishment. After all, they had wronged us and felt no remorse so why should we feel bad for them? Because the scripture teaches us that we are supposed to live in a different manner than that. Counter to culture and even our own feelings.
Jesus instructed His followers to love their enemies. To pray for those who despitefully use and persecute them. The Bible also instructs believers to not rejoice when an enemy falls.
Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Proverbs 24:17 (ESV)
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
Long before Jesus made this statement or either verse was pinned, Moses lived in this way. When God struck Miriam with the plague of leprosy for what she had spoken against Moses, he didn’t rejoice as some would. Neither did he want to leave her in that state. Instead, he turned back to God in prayer asking that she would be healed and restored.
Numbers 12:13 (ESV)
13 And Moses cried to the Lord, “O God, please heal her—please.”
Modern Christians should still look to Moses as an example. Seeing how he lived humbly before God and man. Living out scriptures how we would today before they had even be pinned. We should strive to respond in like manner when people speak against us or wrong us. Not with joy when we see them fall but by praying for them even if they don’t fall.
A proud life will never mirror the blessings and provisions of Moses’ life. But a humble life will and will result in an eternity of blessings in Heaven. So don’t become proud and believe you deserve respect from others. Instead, live in meekness and try to respond to every situation in a way that aligns with the Word of God. Just as Moses did.
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