Moses the Man / November 2003

There probably are some people in the world who have never heard of the man named Moses. But, I have never met them before. Virtually everyone, at least those who know of the Bible, have heard of Moses.

To the Jews, he was God’s servant who led the children of Israel out of Egypt and brought forth the Torah. To the Christians, he is the beloved hero of the movie "Ten Commandments." I intentionally state the Christian point of view in an obtrusive manner as I have not met any Christian leaders in my life who understand him or his writings very well. This is probably one of the major reasons why Moses is not taught in churches. It is fair to say that the rest of world knows about Moses parting the Red Sea and how the nation of Israel came to be.

Let’s review what most people know about Moses. He grew up in Pharaoh’s house and killed an Egyptian at the age of 40. He lived in Midian until he was 80 years old and had a burning bush experience. He told Pharaoh to let the people go. When Pharaoh refused, he initiated God’s plagues upon Egypt until the Passover, the death of the first born. He led the children of Israel out of Egypt. He parted the Red Sea and closed it, drowning Pharaoh’s chariots. He went to Mount Sinai and got the Ten Commandments. He built the tabernacle in the wilderness. He wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years and finally died at the age of 120 years not entering the promised land. Actually, most people would not repeat this in such detail. Various statements just given would come as revelation to many. However, this is the basic story of Moses as given in the Bible.

The same Bible goes on to eulogize Moses in this manner.

Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.

Deuteronomy 33:1

So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth–peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.

Deuteronomy 34:5-8

Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

Deuteronomy 34:9-12

Moses was a man of God. He was a prophet like no other prophet. He spoke with God face to face while others have dreams and visions. He performed mighty signs in the sight of all. He started the writing of the Bible. The Law of Moses stands head and shoulders above all other forms of codified law and civil codes. He established a nation more than 3500 years ago that still exists today. He is the greatest prophet of the Messiah. These are incredible accomplishments that exceed virtually every man that has ever lived on the planet earth. Only the Messiah stands beyond him.

For He [Messiah] has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Messiah was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Hebrews 3:3-6

Moses was God’s servant in His house; but, Messiah was God’s Son who is over the whole house.

But what about the man Moses? He wasn’t a superman. He was a man like you and me with weaknesses. Sure, he had some good traits, but he also had some specific weaknesses as well. In fact, he had a number of weaknesses that in the opinion of many should have disqualified him from his anointing and service. Let’s examine the man Moses a little deeper. Let’s look at his character and understand a little more about why God used him. Much could be said of Moses the man, but for purposes of this article, I want you to examine seven particular characteristics of him. Let us examine his humility, presumptions, doubts and insecurities, leadership style, failed marriage, conflicts and anger, and the biggest mistake of his life – striking the Rock. When we are done, we will try to understand his relationship with God. When we are done, I believe you will have reason to take heart for what God is doing in your life.

His Humility

Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.

Numbers 12:3

This is obviously a good characteristic for the man Moses. But, what is it that Moses did that rated him to be the most humble man on the face of the earth. Stop and think for a moment. The accomplishments of Moses demand recognition and tribute. Why is He called the most humble of all men. The answer is one the "hidden mysteries of the Torah." It begins with his birth.

After four generations, the House of Jacob was growing in great numbers, even greater than Egypt. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were becoming alarmed. A combination of several factors began to take place: Pharaoh forgot the good things Joseph had done and therefore offered no favor to Joseph’s brethren. The fear of the Egyptians turned into tyranny and oppression. Finally, Pharaoh ordered the death of Hebrew males at birth. Since the Messiah is modeled in the life of Moses, we can see the immediate parallel with Herod seeking the death of children in Bethlehem near the time of Yeshua’s birth. But there is an even greater parallel that relates to the birth of Moses and the Messiah. It is called by Torah teachers as one of the "hidden miracles of the Torah."

Yeshua had a miracle birth due to his mother. She was a virgin; she was not impregnated by a man. It is not the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy that was the sign from Isaiah for this.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin [Heb: almah] will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

Jewish scholars have argued for centuries that the word "almah" does not mean automatically that she was a virgin. They argue that there was no prophecy that the Messiah would be born of a virgin; it is all made up Christian stuff. The Jews are right about Isaiah 7:14 and the word "almah." But the prophecy is not in that verse alone. Isaiah’s prophecy is in Isaiah 9:6-7.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase [Heb; marbeh] of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

The Hebrew word is marbeh. The first letter of the word begins with a Mem. A mem is written in two ways: at the start or in the middle of the word as an "open mem," and if it is at the end of the word as a "closed mem." Isaiah gave us a powerful sign with the letter mem that Jews would not ignore. He started the word marbeh with a "closed mem." But, this is the part that really gets the attention of Hebrew sages. The letter mem has a specific meaning and teaching. It represents waters (actually chaotic waters), the kind of waters that are at birth, when a woman breaks water before giving birth. That is when the house goes chaotic. A closed mem in Isaiah 9:6-7 is a Hebrew sign that the child will be born from a closed womb. This is the prophecy and sign that Isaiah gave us for the miracle birth of the Messiah. If you break each letter down in the word: closed men - chaotic waters from a closed womb, resh - head of, bet - house, and hey - that which is revealed, the word actually tells a story. The head of the house will be revealed by a closed womb. Yeshua, the Son of God, is the head of God’s house. He was born of a closes womb.

So with that understanding, knowing that Moses is the greatest prophet of the Messiah, where is the miracle birth of Moses and how does it set the model for the Messiah? It is given in Genesis and repeated in Exodus. It has to do with Jacob going down to Egypt with seventy souls.

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, Jacob and his sons, who went to Egypt: Reuben, Jacob's first–born. And the sons of Reuben: Hanoch and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi. And the sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah and Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan). And the sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. And the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvvah and Iob and Shimron. And the sons of Zebulun: Sered and Elon and Jahleel. These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan–aram, with his daughter Dinah; all his sons and his daughters numbered thirty–three.

Genesis 46:8-15

And the sons of Gad: Ziphion and Haggi, Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi and Areli. And the sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah and their sister Serah. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah; and she bore to Jacob these sixteen persons.

Genesis 46:16-18

The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. Now to Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. And the sons of Benjamin: Bela and Becher and Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard. These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob; there were fourteen persons in all.

Genesis 46:19-22

And the sons of Dan: Hushim. And the sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel and Guni and Jezer and Shillem. These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel, and she bore these to Jacob; there were seven persons in all.

Genesis 46:23-25

All the persons belonging to Jacob, who came to Egypt, his direct descendants, not including the wives of Jacob's sons, were sixty–six persons in all, and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt were two; all the persons of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt, were seventy.

Genesis 46:26-27

Jacob is not counted, nor are the mothers counted. However, the names listed do not total 70 persons! Someone is missing!?! Moses wrote this intentionally. Look again at Genesis 46:26-27. If sixty six persons were totaled (and that is correct), then Joseph, Ephraim and Manasses (three more) should only total 69 persons. Why does Moses say there were 70 persons? And why does he repeat this with emphasis as he begins the book of Exodus.

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. And all the persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already in Egypt.

Exodus 1:1-5

If you go back to the subtotals, you will discover that Leah’s children totaling 33 persons is not correct. Only 32 persons are listed, and this is where the seventieth person will be found. Without beating around the bush or adding to the suspense, the answer is found in the children of Leah, specifically Levi. There was a daughter born to Levi, a sister to Kohath, that is not counted. She was born in Egypt (the same day that Jacob and the others arrived in Egypt). Her name was Jochebed – she was the mother of Moses. She was counted in the 70 who went down to Egypt!

Now a man [Amram, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi] from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months.

Exodus 2:1-2

The reason why she is called a daughter of Levi is that she is counted in the total of 70, the original group who came to Egypt. Jochebed actually married her nephew.

And Amram married his father's [Kohath] sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram's life was one hundred and thirty–seven years.

Exodus 6:20

Moses is called the most humble man on the face of the earth because he did not assert his generational position over his brethren. He honored his mother, yet he did not lay claim to her aged birth for him. By the way, she was older than Sarah who gave birth to Isaac, which is clearly called a miracle birth. It is estimated that Jocheded was well in excess of 120 years of age when she gave birth to Moses. The sages of Israel refer to this as "one of the hidden miracles of the Torah."

The story of Israel coming out of Egypt is really about the Messiah. It begins with the birth of Moses and will result in the Passover. Maybe this is why Matthew draws a prophetic illustration to Yeshua hiding in Egypt when his life was threatened as a child.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Out of Egypt did I call My Son."

Matthew 2:13-15

The prophecy referenced is Hosea 11:1.

Humility is evidenced by quiet strength without having the claim of all honor due. Moses did not assert his own birth when he shares with us his own story. Therefore, his strength is hidden from our view, but there, just the same. This clearly is one of Moses’ good characteristics. But, he has others, as we will examine.

His Presumptions

And Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him; but they did not understand.

Acts 7:22-25

Moses was probably aware of God’s prophecy to Abraham concerning the enslavement and exodus from Egypt.

And God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve; and afterward they will come out with many possessions."

Genesis 15:13-14

Moses may have known the time was approaching (400 years later). Moses may have had a sense of what God was going to do with him. As a result, Moses began to assert himself prematurely, with his own wisdom, by visiting his brethren and injecting himself into the conflict with the Egyptian. By striking down the Egyptian, he thought his brethren would recognize him as ruler and prince of his brethren. He presupposed many things would happen. They didn’t happen as he thought. Instead, his brethren did not recognize him as a prince. Apparently, other Egyptians also got very upset with him killing one of his countrymen. He suddenly was confronted with the reality of his life and discovered his own fantasy did not match. He had murdered a man and no one was delivered. By the way, this is the basis for the famous argument between Michael and Satan (Jude 1:9) for the bones of Moses. Satan wanted the body of Moses because he was a murderer.

The Lord (40 years later) showed Moses that he would accomplish the work by God’s authority, not his own. He showed him that the Lord would deal with the Egyptians, not the children of Israel by sword and revolt. He explained to him that a shepherd’s staff, not a sword, would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses learned that the anointing was more powerful than any presupposed thought.

Just for a moment, how many brethren have you known that presupposed that the Lord would come back at a particular time or would accomplish a particular thing? Presupposing things about the Lord leads to error in teaching, misunderstood prophecies, and discouragement for the brethren. Presupposing just raises expectations. When those expectations are not met, discouragement and frustration will undo many other good things that were well-intended. This lesson affected Moses for 40 years. This is what he had to deal with by shepherding sheep in Midian for his father in law. His own ego and designs for his life were dismantled and destroyed.

His Doubts and Insecurities

There are numerous instances in the Scripture where Moses questions God’s call upon his life. Some are mild in the form of repeated questions and some are directly offensive to God. Beginning with the burning bush exchange, Moses began to ask questions of God trying to find reasons why he should not go and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He first questioned whether the children of Israel would even receive him.

Then Moses said to God, "Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I shall say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you.' Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?"

Exodus 3:13

It would be logical that if Moses said that the Lord sent him, that he would be able to answer that question. Moses wanted this idea to be under someone else’s name, not his. This idea of leading the children of Israel out of Egypt needed someone else to blame if it didn’t work. But, God’s answer was direct to this point. God would take all responsibility and glory accordingly. It would be God who would deliver, redeem, save, and take for His own possession.

Then Moses answered and said, "What if they will not believe me, or listen to what I say? For they may say, 'The Lord has not appeared to you.'" And the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" And he said, "A staff." Then He said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Exodus 4:1-3

Moses’ next question dealt with others not believing or listening to him. Simply stated, he didn’t want to face rejection. He needed something that could be seen and not disputed as to why he should be believed. So God took Moses’ staff and showed him a snake with it. Moses had used that staff for some time and he had no idea that it could be a snake. The shock was immediate and probably quite frightening. What could not be believed was to be believed. God was dealing with the unbelief of Moses, not the children of Israel. Moses was learning a very important lesson. Don’t ask others to believe in something that you, yourself, don’t believe in.

Then Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." And the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."

Exodus 4:10-12

Moses now doubts his ability to communicate on behalf of the Lord. "If you want to send a message O’Lord to someone, shouldn’t you get someone with the ability to communicate?"

The Lord answers him with a simple explanation. "I speak through your mouth." Moses persists with this argument beyond the Lord’s first answer.

But he said, "Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever Thou wilt."

Exodus 4:13

Moses is really saying, "I can’t do that. Get someone, anyone else."

Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, "Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. And you are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do."

Exodus 4:14-15

It is clear here that even the Lord was a little frustrated with Moses’ doubts and insecurities. Moses was not even considering the things that he and his own brother could easily do. "Others will help you Moses, including Me."

Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father–in–law, and said to him, "Please, let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."

Exodus 4:18-19

God has just commissioned, anointed, and called Moses to go to his brethren in Egypt for their deliverance. So, Moses asks another man, his father in law, for permission to do the same thing. What’s wrong with this picture? Even further, Moses is not for sure that his brethren are still alive or that his own life is in danger. Let’s think about it a while. God says He has heard their cries and wants to deliver them. According to Moses, they probably were cries of death and dying. A doubtful Moses was probably going to them too late. Besides, he left 40 years earlier under threat of death. Those seeking his life were probably waiting for the first opportunity to exact their revenge. The truth (not Moses’ fears) was that the children of Israel were still alive but his enemies were already dead.

Moses makes his way back to Egypt. He begins to work with Aaron and the elders. He confronts Pharaoh. It doesn’t work out to his expectation. Pharaoh gets angry and forces Israel to make bricks without straw. So, Moses bemoans the same arguments he has had with the Lord before and complains that God’s plan is not working.

Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why hast Thou brought harm to this people? Why didst Thou ever send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he has done harm to this people; and Thou hast not delivered Thy people at all."

Exodus 5:22-23

Moses elaborates on his complaint by first saying, "See, I told You that the people wouldn’t listen to me. If the children of Israel won’t listen, then why would Pharaoh listen to me?"

But Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, "Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?"

Exodus 6:12

Well then, the children of Israel began listening and taking hope in Moses, but this didn’t stop Moses’ complaint to the Lord. He just dropped the part where Israel wouldn’t listen to him.

But Moses said before the Lord, "Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me?"

Exodus 6:30

But Moses has forgotten something about Pharaoh that he knows. Pharaoh believes in many gods. Pharaoh believes the river Nile is a god, that the sun is a god, that he and his son are gods. Pharaoh believes in gods and listens to them. So, God gives Moses an answer that can not be disputed based on what Pharaoh believes in.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet."

Exodus 7:1

A strong argument can be made for how Moses was definitely in doubt concerning the Lord. He was very insecure in a personal way, even down to his ability to speak. The irony of the situation is very profound. Maybe Moses doesn’t believe in the Lord or himself, but Pharaoh and the Egyptians will definitely believe in Moses when this is done.

His Failed Marriage

When Moses made his journey from Midian to Egypt, a short interchange occurs between him and his wife, Zipporah, that is most intriguing.

Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and threw it at Moses' feet, and she said, "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." So He let him alone. At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood"— because of the circumcision.

Exodus 4:24-26

There are many more questions here without obvious answers. One thing is for sure. The relationship between Moses and his wife, Zipporah, is not good. There is anger and hard feelings of disagreement. It is a typical complaint between a husband and a wife, though. Moses should have done something, and his wife had to do it. In this case, it was the circumcision of their son.

We don’t get many more details about his marriage until a key decision is revealed much later. Apparently, Moses and Zipporah separated (got divorced) before the deliverance of Israel. Zipporah and their two sons returned to where Jethro lived. When word of the deliverance came, Jethro and the family go out to visit Moses and the children of Israel.

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father–in–law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. And Jethro, Moses' father–in–law, took Moses' wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, and his two sons…

Exodus 18:1-3a

Then Jethro, Moses' father–in–law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God.

Exodus 18:5

You never hear of Zipporah again as Moses travels with Israel in the wilderness. The Hebrew expression of sending a wife away is about divorce, which is called a "get." Yeshua said that Moses was required to teach about divorce because of the hardness of hearts. Apparently, Moses had to deal with the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart and the hardness of his wife’s heart at the same time. If you can understand the hardness of heart that results in divorce, then you can understand how Pharaoh hardened his heart against the Lord.

Moses, married a Cushite (this was most likely a black woman) later in the wilderness. That decision resulted in major discord between himself and his own brother and sister.

Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman);

Numbers 12:1

There are many believers today that have been told they are unclean or tainted goods because they have gone through a divorce. Moses was used of the Lord before, during, and after his apparent divorce. He was even used after he married another woman. But, it is also fair to say. Moses’ failed marriage did not help him. It was a weakness.

His Leadership Style

While Moses had his doubts and insecurities, it didn’t stop him from trying to do everything for everybody. When Jethro came out to meet Moses in the wilderness, he observed Moses leadership style.

And it came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. Now when Moses' father–in–law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?" And Moses said to his father–in–law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and His laws." And Moses' father–in–law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I shall give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk, and the work they are to do. Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace."

Exodus 18:13-23

Moses was dictatorial, self willed, not trusting in other leaders, not a good planner, and failed to understand that failing to plan is a plan to fail. This style of leadership reminds me of young pastors in churches and junior officers I met in the military. Jethro taught Moses about the need for delegation in leadership. Don’t misunderstand me here. I do not hold a candle to Moses, but the principles of leadership were not well understood by Moses, particularly at this point. He had to learn much while on-the-job. He eventually did learn many principles, however, this was a weakness and set the stage for even greater conflicts.

His Conflicts and Anger

Korah was a leader. Korah had 250 princes that worked with him. Korah, according to traditional teaching, was the chief treasurer for Pharaoh in Egypt. He was also from the same tribe of Moses and Aaron – a Levite.

There were others. Dathan and Abiram were of the tribe of Reuben, the first born of Jacob. Dathan and Abiram were also leaders. It is possible when it came to pure skills as leaders, Moses and Aaron fell short of these leaders. Whatever the beef, the conflict came down to real rebellion, insubordination, and division.

Both Korah and the sons of Reuben took issue with the leadership of Moses.

Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action, and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown. And they assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?"

Numbers 16:1-3

Moses called for censors to be placed before the Lord. Korah agreed but Dathan and Abiram wouldn’t even agree with the test before the Lord.

Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, "We will not come up. Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us? Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!"

Numbers 16:12-14

Now the conflict is in full force. The rebellion has the power to destroy Israel. The anger of Moses is righteous indignation. The Lord is also in agreement with this anger. No conflict is good. Nothing is to be gained by brethren striving with one another. However, when it reaches this level, leaders must lead.

I have learned from this kind of experience and I believe Moses learned here as well that the measure of leadership is not when things are going well. It is when there is conflict and the leader is being challenged. The metal that comes from that fire is pure and able to do much more work.

Then Moses became very angry and said to the Lord, "Do not regard their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them." And Moses said to Korah, "You and all your company be present before the Lord tomorrow, both you and they along with Aaron."

Numbers 16:15-16

Moses is not offering an invitation to meet. He is now asserting action. His anger is tuned to a solution and a clear decision. Let us see whom the Lord has chosen to lead. You know the rest of the story. Moses went out the next day to face them. God opened the earth and buried them alive. However, the anger that Moses had here in this conflict would later lead to his biggest mistake of all.

His Biggest Mistake

When Moses brought water out of the rock at the mountain, God instructed that the rock was to be struck by the staff. However, later in the wilderness of Zin, at a place called Meribah, the Lord instructed Moses to speak to the rock for the needed waters. Moses’ anger got in the way of his faith.

"Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink." So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, "Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the Lord, and He proved Himself holy among them.

Numbers 20:8-13

Here is a little sidebar teaching based on something we already covered. Do you remember the Hebrew word that had the "closed mem" in Isaiah about the sign of the Messiah and His special birth? The word "merbah" is very similar to the "waters of contention" Meribah. In fact, the difference is in one additional letter "yod" inserted in the middle of merbah. Yod means "hand." The contention of "meribah" goes back to the word picture in "merbah." But with the insertion of the letter "yod" the picture is: Whose hand is the head of the house that brings forth the waters? The waters of contention at Meribah showed Moses asserting his hand instead of the Lord before the children of Israel. He was contending with God for the leadership of the people. Because of that, God said to Moses that he would not lead Israel into the land. He was supposed to have taught all men to speak to the rock for themselves to receive the "living waters" of salvation. This is why Yeshua cried out to Israel at the Feast of Tabernacles, "If any is thirsts, let him come and ask of Me…" Moses, the greatest prophet of the Messiah, made the biggest mistake possible in teaching the Messiah.

This incident cost Moses his trip into the promised land. The very rebels who died in the wilderness were joined by Moses in the end. The sages of Israel offer a lot of commentary on this issue and the mistake Moses made. It is very understandable that Korah and others had conditioned Moses for conflict. He had seen God judge the people repeatedly. Their threats against him and his own fear of them had risen to a high level. His agenda of anger and wanting control exceeded his obedience and belief in God. Instead of doing exactly as God said, Moses used the moment for his own personal agenda. It cost him dearly.

Everyone makes mistakes in life. We hope that they are small and do not bear great consequences. As leaders, we quickly learn that small mistakes are huge. The consequences can be devastating. Moses, the giver of Torah, bears the example of this far greater than many other men in all of history. The same mistake has been made by many in Israel concerning Yeshua. To this day, many sons of Israel contend with the birth waters of Yeshua (Meribah instead of merbah), preferring to strike the Rock of their salvation instead of speaking to Him.

His Relationship with God

Paul Harvey, the radio personality, has coined a wonderful punch line for the fascinating stories he tells of others. "Now you know the rest of the story." Moses, the man… was a real man with doubts, insecurities, difficulties in his own marriage. He was not perfect. Yet, he accomplished incredible things. Actually, God did the incredible things, but Moses was used for us to understand them. Judaism is very careful about praising Moses. They fear that drawing too much attention to him will lead others to glorifying him over the Lord. The veil upon the face of Moses, because his face shone too much, is still present to a degree. But, the Bible is not afraid to show the human part, the flawed part of our previous leaders. Moses was not afraid to reveal his weaknesses either. On final analyses, the weaknesses of Moses point in an even greater way to the works of God.

God chose Moses for a specific purpose. Moses relationship with God, his ability to communicate with and obey Him is what made him the extraordinary man that he was. Despite his weaknesses before and after his calling, God used him powerfully. His testimony, to this day, stirs our souls. He stands as a shining example of what God can do with a yielded (humble) heart before Him.

Moses, the man… was a man of God. He was a man used of God just like you and me. There is no reason that God will not use you, if you are willing to humble your heart to Him as well. Now, maybe the Lord won’t use you to bring water from rocks or part the seas, but He will use His power in your life just as mightily in a number of ways.

Years ago, I confessed to the Lord that I was but a pebble splash in a sea of ideas. Why should anyone listen to anything I have to say. However, the Lord has shown me that my pebble splash produced a wake. The Lord is able to make the wake into a tidal wave that reaches distant shores. I have seen a single word of encouragement in the Lord turn a man’s heart at great distance. I have then seen that same man make an impact on others multiplied many times over. It seems to me that being used of God begins with humbling one’s self to the Lord, obeying what He says, and believing in God despite what your eyes see.

God is in the business of using cracked, earthen vessels to carry the incredible substance of Himself to others. It is not the perfection of the cup; it is the water in the cup that comes from the Rock.

YAVOH, He is Coming is a monthly newsletter published as an outreach ministry of Lion and Lamb Ministries
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Editor - Monte Judah
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