Humble Intercession
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6
Moses was the most humble man on the face of the earth (see Numbers 12:3). He demonstrated incredible humility when his staff, congregation and elders challenged his authority and leadership. First, Moses’ sister, Miriam, and brother, Aaron, began to talk against him (see verses 1-2). The Lord called all three out to the Tent of the Meeting and spoke to them. The Lord wanted to know why Miriam and Aaron weren’t afraid to speak against the one whom He had chosen to lead His people (see verses 5-9). When the Lord departed, Miriam had leprosy (see verse 10). It would be human nature for Moses to be mad at his sibling and welcome God’s discipline, but Moses interceded on her behalf and God relented. The leprosy would last only for a week (see verses 11-14).
In Numbers 14:1-4, the entire assembly was discouraged because of the bad report from 10 of the spies. They were ready to stone Moses, but then the Lord intervened again (see verse 10). God said He would strike them down with a plague for their unbelief and make Moses into an even greater nation (see verses 11-12). If your congregation was about to stone you and God Himself said He was going to do away with them and give you an even greater ministry, wouldn’t you feel just a little bit vindicated—and maybe even excited—about having a bigger ministry? How many of us would pass that test?
Rather than rejoicing, Moses was concerned about God’s reputation. What would the pagan nations think if God brought these people out into the wilderness only to destroy them? So Moses prayed that God would withhold His judgment, and God did (see verses 13-20). As with Miriam, the sentence was commuted (see verses 21-23).
In Numbers 16, Moses was tested again. This time, the community leaders who had been appointed members of the council rose up against Moses. Again the Lord intervened, and He said to Moses and Aaron, “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once” (Numbers 16:21). How many of us would be making a fast retreat? Moses again cried out to God and said, “O God, the God who gives breath to all living things, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?” (Numbers 16:22). Again God relented, and the ground swallowed up only the leaders and their families (see verses 26-33).
If you are a pastor or leader and wonder why God doesn’t intervene for you when the people reject your leadership, you may have missed the point. Moses wasn’t praying that God would judge those who rebelled against him. He was praying that God would withhold judgment. Would your church profit more if you prayed for God’s judgment on your staff, board and congregation, or would they profit more if you prayed that God would withhold His judgment? The Lord said in Ezekiel 22:30, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not destroy it, but I found no one.” God is looking for more servant leaders like Moses.
questions to consider
In Numbers 12:1-13, how did Moses intercede on behalf of Miriam?
In Numbers 14:1-4, what response did Moses give when God said that He was going to do away with the people?
In Numbers 16:1-33, how did Moses seek to again protect the people from God’s wrath? How did God respond?
“Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15). If you were a Christian leader, would you quote that psalm in your defense, or is that a warning to those in submissive roles? Explain.
What lessons can you learn from Moses’ life about humility and leadership?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.