Humility – not what you expect ∙

Humility – not what you expect ∙

Now Moses was very humble – humbler than any other person on earth. – Numbers 12:3

Matthew 11:28-30

 28 Then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. In

As far as we know, the well-known agnostic Thomas Huxley never put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but the Father did touch his heart. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Thomas Huxley was staying at a country home. Sunday came around, and most guests prepared to attend church. Huxley did not desire to go.

But he approached a man known to have a simple and radiant Christian faith and said to him, “Suppose you don’t go to church today. Suppose you stay at home, and you tell me quite simply what your Christian faith means to you and why you are a Christian.” “But” said the man, “you could demolish my arguments in an instant. I’m not clever enough to argue with you.” Huxley said gently, “I don’t want to argue with you; I just want you to tell me simply what this Christ means to you.” So the man did.

When he had finished, there were tears in Huxley’s eyes. “I would give my right hand,” he said, “if only I could believe that.” Huxley had seen attractive, radiant spiritual vitality in the words and the life of a humble, Spirit-filled believer (Hughes).

Our lives are sometimes the only letter from the Father someone will ever read (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was very humble – humbler than any other person on earth.

Why is Moses described as being very humble? Moses was one-of-a-kind. In the history of the human race, only Moses had a face-to-face relationship with the Father.

Exodus 33:11 The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.

Moses was selected to hear and receive the Law of God, which became the Torah, the Five Books of Moses. The method of communication was extraordinary. I will

Numbers 12:8 I speak to him mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles!

What does this mean that the Father spoke with Moses “mouth-to-mouth?” The Father communicated with Moses in a very unique way. It was through one-on-one personal conversations. No dreams or visions are involved. We might say in 21st-century English that they hung out together and just talked.

In the entire history of mankind, only Moses had a face-to-face relationship with the Father. Only Moses had the privilege of ongoing mouth-to-mouth, direct conversations with the living God. In turn, Moses was used by the Father in ways that were almost beyond our comprehension. His accomplishments are among the most impressive in all of the Scriptures.

Yet with all the privileges that Moses had, he never flaunted them. He never pulled rank and used the power of his unique position to get his own way. His humility matched his privileges and authority. Moses was humbler than any other person on earth.

He was falsely accused of making himself judge and prince over the people so that he could lord it over them (Numbers 16:13, Acts 7:35). But that was simply Fake News.

Moses did not answer his accusers. Instead, Moses left his defense and vindication in the hands of the Father God. Father spoke and then took action on his behalf.

Numbers 12:8 So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?

REFLECT & PRAY

Where does vibrant, spiritual excellence originate? It begins with the foundation of humility and gratefulness.

Father, help me to have an accurate assessment of my strengths and my weaknesses. All that I am and all that I have are from You.

INSIGHT

What is true humility? What does humility look like in action?

Humility was not considered a virtue by the ancient Greeks. It was considered a weakness. Worse, it was often considered evidence of pitiful servitude. The Lord Jesus Christ upended this understanding. When He self-identified as being humble, humility became more than dignified; it became honorable. What was formerly considered a fault was now a strength.

Humility focuses on attitude rather than appearance. Humility is having an accurate and honest self-assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses. It is not about low self-regard but rather proper self-regard. Humility is without pride and arrogance. It is also devoid of self-abasement.

Nathanael exemplifies true humility. In his first encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, he is given a tremendous compliment. His humility is demonstrated in his reaction.

John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

Nathanael responds, “How do you know me?” Nathanael’s identity and self-worth were established. He had accurately assessed himself. His strengths and weaknesses were well known to him. He does not fain false humility as many would, saying something like, “Ah shucks,” “gosh,” or “you don’t mean it.” Nathanael’s response is humility in action.

John 1:45-48

 45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”

The Greek word translated as deceit is doloswhich literally means fishbait. It takes on the sense of deceit, treachery, duplicity, fraud, or cunning, using surreptitious and underhanded methods.

Nathanael was somewhat flabbergasted that Jesus, a total stranger to him, knew him so well. But his personal conversation with the Lord Jesus Christ took it to a new level. For Nathanael, the question was, who was this Jesus of Nazareth?

Was He the promised Messiah, as Philip suggested?

Nathanael soon found out and proclaimed, “You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

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© Dr. H 2022