Numbers 17:11 KJV — And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Leviticus 8:4 KJV — And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Numbers 27:22 KJV — And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Here are a few examples of Moses’s obedience to God.
Between the time of Israel’s leaving Egypt and sojourn in the desert, up til the time to move to the Promised Land, we see Moses only disobeying God once.
Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
Numbers 20:11-12 NKJV
His disobedience cost him.
Yet, his humility is inspiring.
He didn’t complain, he didn’t make excuses, he didn’t argue, he simply took God’s discipline and we never see him disobeying again.
God says something to Moses and Moses does it.
And it wasn’t like the children of Israel were an easy people.
Complaining and contending seemed to be their most common act.
Numbers 11:1, the people are tired of Manna, complain about this free meal, and want to return to Egypt.
Numbers 12:1, Aaron and Miriam don’t like Moses’s wife and spoke against Moses because of her.
Numbers 13:31, ten of the spies sent to the Promised Land bring back a bad report, not because the land is bad, but because they do not believe the Lord will grant them victory, they state: “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”
This bad report causes havock among the people, only Joshua and Caleb remain faithful to God and His leaders: Moses and Aaron.
And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!
Numbers 14:2 NKJV
…because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.
Numbers 14:22-23 NKJV
Numbers 14:40, they admit they have sinned, but decide they will enter the Promised Land. Moses warns them not to.
Numbers 14:44-45 the Israelites go anyway and are defeated.
One would think they had learned, but no.
Numbers 16:3 a man named Korah stirs up rebellion along with others.
All of those who presume to defy the Lord and His appointed servants die.
Numbers 16: 41 On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord .”
And the people’s poor behavior, doubt, pride, and stiff-necked disbelief continued.
One can well imagine how difficult and disheartening being their leader was for Moses.
His example of following God and His commands is a high standard, but through Christ Jesus we have this same opportunity to obey the Lord.
Moses met with God.
He talked to Him about everything.
Each time something came up, Moses went to the Lord.
Moses’s entire leadership was marked by his relationship with God Almighty.
Through Jesus Christ, we can also have that relationship.
God used Moses in an incredible way, he was God’s leader for that time.
Each of us is unique and created by God for a purpose.
He has opportunities in each day for us to grow in our relationship as well as serve those He puts in our lives.
May your heart be encouraged to follow Jesus today, as Moses followed God so long ago.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for these verses. Thank You for showing us Your ways are best. Lord, I want to be like Moses, to obey everything You command me. To hear Your voice clearly and to walk in it. Lord, I want to be humble like Moses. To be able to take every difficulty before You, every circumstance to You and to follow Your Word. Lord Jesus, for the times I have not obeyed You, please forgive me. Please help me to see before I transgress, that I might not sin against You. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for salvation. May Your name be glorified. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 