The Meekest Man and the Strongest Defender

Apart from the example of Jesus Himself, the best example in Scripture of meekness is seen in the book of Numbers, where Moses is described as,

“very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” (12:3)

This remarkable statement is sandwiched between two events which put Moses’ meekness on display. In Numbers 11, the Israelites complained about the food God had provided. Moses becomes frustrated with the people’s grumbling, and himself begins to complain to God about the heavy burden the people had become.

God mercifully tells Moses to appoint 70 men who could serve with him. They were to gather around the tabernacle, where God would give them His Spirit.

When the men gathered, however, two were missing. For whatever reason, they had stayed in camp instead of joining the others at the tabernacle. When God put His Spirit on the rest of the men, they began to prophesy –as did the two who had stayed behind.

When Joshua heard about this, he was concerned, and said to Moses, “My lord Moses, forbid them.” (v. 28) I love Moses’ response:

“Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His spirit upon them!” (v. 29)

You see, part of meekness is being satisfied with the position, place, or type of service God has given you. It also means staying close to God in trusting contentment when He allows others to encroach upon the areas of ministry or ability which we view as “our territory.”

You and I might have been tempted to side with Joshua if we had been there that day, for the natural reaction of our flesh is to become jealous or defensive when others are promoted or made much of at our expense or the expense of those we love. Moses, however, freely supported these upon whom God had put His Spirit.

But while Moses took this sharing of authority as from the Lord, Aaron and Miriam chose instead to take offense. In chapter 12, they lash out at Moses. Their initial complaint was a personal attack, ostensibly because of his choice of wife, but notice what their argument against him really was:

“Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath He not spoken also by us?” (12:2)

Note the attempt to claim a position of equal authority and importance with Moses. Perhaps they were jealous that they had not been given a position among the new influx of leadership, perhaps they were offended by the fact that God had Moses choose the 70, or perhaps it was a simple grownup case of sibling rivalry: whatever their reasons may have been, what God took note of was their disrespect and presumption.

“And the Lord heard it.” (12:2)

This is the point at which we are given the parenthetical statement about Moses being the meekest man on earth.

I think God wanted us to sit up and take notice of what He was going to do on Moses’ behalf. By inserting the statement, He takes the readers out of the narrative for a moment, which prompts us to read on with renewed focus. It also brings to our attention the particular quality God wants us to notice about Moses in this account.

But before we go on to look at what God does in defense of Moses, I want to point out that simple statement, “And the Lord heard it.”

Whatever false accusations, gossip, rumors, or spiteful words may be spoken against us, we can be sure that God hears them all. Not only is He omniscient, He is omnipresent, and there is nothing which escapes His notice.

We have no record of Moses speaking even a word in his own defense. Matthew Henry points out,

“When God’s honour was concerned, as in the case of the golden calf, no man more zealous than Moses; but, when his own honour was touched, no man more meek: as bold as a lion in the cause of God, but as mild as a lamb in his own cause.”*

As the two were taking Moses to task, God steps in:

“And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And He said, Hear now My words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (vv.4-8)

God Himself defends Moses far more successfully than any attempt to defend himself would have been.

In asserting both Moses’ importance and authority, God confirms also his worthiness for his position, declaring that Moses “is faithful in all Mine house.”

God also highlights the difference in His relationship with Moses, removing the last possible objection they might have regarding Moses’ position as leader of Israel.

Upon this declaration in Moses’ defense, the cloud departs, and Miriam is left leprous.

Characteristically, Aaron rushes to apologize and ask Moses to intercede on Miriam’s behalf. And Moses does, without a shadow of malice or bitterness towards the siblings who had been railing against him just minutes before.  

From this account we can glean a vital truth about God: He calls us to meekness fully intending to defend us Himself.

Meekness means letting go of the feelings of anger and offended pride which make us strong in the world’s eyes. But this fleshly strength is merely the façade of pride: mere bluster, without any real strength or power behind it.

When we are meek, we display true strength of character: the Christlike character that can bear insults and injustices patiently and silently, trusting God to act in our defense.  Matthew Henry sums this up well:

“The more silent we are in our own cause the more is God engaged to plead it. The accused innocent needs to say little if he knows the judge Himself will be his advocate.”*

The Christlike response to spiteful words or false accusations is to run to God, trusting that He will not lead us where He will not also defend us.

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

 (1 Peter 4:19)

*Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Bible 153