HUMILITY – By Raphael ben Levi
In Ex 6:2–9:35, Moses the displaced Jew, disconnected from his nation, a prince of Egypt reduced to a common shepherd, is commissioned by the living God to lead his people from captivity to freedom. Separated from his people for 40 years in Egypt at birth, confined for a further 40 years in exile within the harsh terrain of the Midianite desert, Moses suddenly becomes reconnected in the most staggering of Divine encounters.
God demonstrated to Moses His faithfulness. Never once had He failed in His promises. The Creator of the Universe informed Moses that now was the moment He would deliver the Israelites from their oppressors and return them to the land promised to their forefathers.
God spoke to Moses in a thorn bush considered useless by the heathen for anything even for carving their wooden idols, illustrating something of great importance – the Creator of the universe revealed Himself clothed in humility. And it was this event that changed Moses’ life and transformed him into a man of God more humble than anyone who had walked the earth (Num 12:3).
At a later stage in history, Yeshua ransomed His life for us crowned with thorns, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Suffering Servant, our Deliverer who willingly paid the price for our sins. And God has made His name known throughout the earth, Yud-He-Vav-He in human form, the Incarnation – Yeshua the perfect and complete expression of humility, who humbled Himself even unto death on a crucifix, and paid the price that eternity itself cannot fully fathom.
What changed Moses’ life from a common shepherd with a speech impediment and an inferiority complex to become Israel’s greatest leader? It was his encounter at the burning bush – God’s staggering humility shattered his life completely.
Herein lies the paradox. Humility is the partner of one who walks in spiritual authority even as pride is the partner of a tyrant.
