Going through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers (soon to reach Deuteronomy) has made me appreciate Moses’ meekness even more with a renewed understanding. Through my study, one trait I’ve come to admire and respect in Moses is his willingness to listen and his humility to seek God’s guidance when faced with situations he was not familiar with.
In Numbers 9, some people from Israel could not celebrate the Passover at the appointed time because they were ritually unclean due to contact with a corpse. When they presented their case before Moses and Aaron, asking for the chance to celebrate at another time, Moses did not dismiss them. Instead, he said, “Give me some time; I will find out what God says in your situation.” True to his word, Moses sought God’s guidance, and the Lord gave him instructions on how to handle the situation.
Another example is when the five daughters of Zelophehad presented their case to Moses, asking to be given an inheritance among their father’s relatives since their father had no sons. Before this, it was unheard of for women to inherit land among the Israelites. Moses did not dismiss their request as an idle or foolish plea. He listened to them and brought their case before the Lord. God replied, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them an inheritance among their father’s relatives, and their father’s inheritance shall pass to them.”
I also observed Moses’ humility and meekness when his father-in-law, Jethro, expressed concern that Moses might wear himself out from managing the people alone. Jethro advised Moses on a leadership strategy that is still used today:
- Teach the people ordinances and laws, show them the way they must walk, and the work they must do.
- Choose able men who fear God, are truthful, and hate covetousness, and place them as leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
- Let them judge the people at all times. The greater matters should be brought to Moses, but the smaller matters can be judged by the leaders. This would lighten Moses’ burden, and the people would be able to go to their place in peace.
And what did Moses do? He listened to his father-in-law and did as he advised.
Moses could have dismissed Jethro’s counsel, thinking, “What do you know about God’s laws, you Midianite?” But instead, he humbled himself and listened. Could it be that Moses’ teachable heart is what made God consider him the meekest man on earth?
This encourages me to pray and ask God for such a heart—one that is teachable and humble enough to seek God’s guidance in both familiar and unfamiliar situations. I certainly need it, as my mind sometimes gets in the way. Help me, Lord, to have a heart like Moses!
