Moses: Failures. Flaws. Faith. (Part 2)

Deuteronomy 34

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY

Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

Of all the people we learn about in the Bible, Moses stands out as one of God’s greatest leaders. His epitaph at the end of Deuteronomy states it like this: 

Deuteronomy 34:10-12
And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Moses was not self-made; God developed and trained him during forty years of obscurity in Midian. Last time we learned that Moses was an impatient and reluctant leader, and ultimately a God-shaped, powerful leader who freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. 

Today, let’s explore three more key leadership qualities we observe in Moses. 

The Frustrated Leader
If there was ever a group of people characterized by grumbling, it was the nation of Israel right after they were delivered from slavery in Egypt. They repeatedly accused God of leading them into the desert to die. “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (Ex. 14:11). That sentiment is repeated whenever they needed food, water, or protection. 

At one point, Moses had heard enough of the complaining.  He boldly said to God,  

Numbers 11:11-15
Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?  Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers . . . I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness. 

Moses’ frustration reached a breaking point when the people once again complained about their need for water. They asked, “Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die….” (Num. 20:4). God told Moses to speak to a rock, and water would come out, but instead, he struck the rock twice with his staff. Because of this disobedience, God did not allow Moses to lead the Israelites into the promised land (Num. 20:12). He begged God to change his mind, but in Moses’ words, “the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the Lord said to me, ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again’” (Deut. 3:26). 

There are many lessons here, but let’s focus on this one: Leaders must not let inevitable frustrations lead them into sin. 

The Teacher Leader
After Moses was barred from entering the promised land, he continued to prepare the people who would enter Canaan. He admonished them to keep God’s law and teach it to their children (Deut. 6:4-9). Even in his personal disappointment, he reminded the Israelites how God had prepared and protected them. 

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 

Moses would not enter the promised land, but he showed his love and dedication to his fellow Israelites by teaching and encouraging them to walk with God. 

The Humble Leader
Several times during Israel’s journey, God threatened to destroy them due to their disobedience. After the incident of the golden calf (Ex. 32:30-34), when they believed the majority report of the spies rather than trusting God’s promises (Num. 14:1-12), and during Korah’s rebellion (Num. 16:19-24), God indicated he would destroy Israel and choose a new people for Moses. God said, “I will strike them . . . and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they” (Num. 14:12). 

After each incident, Moses humbly interceded for the people. He fell on his face and asked God to forgive those who had sinned. In one instance, Moses prayed, “Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now” (Num. 14:19).

Moses’ humble leadership earned him this recognition in God’s inspired Word: “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3).

Moses was 120 years old when he died. God took him to the top of Mount Nebo, where he could see the promised land. Moses died in the land of Moab, and God buried him there. Moses’ “eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated” when God took him. 

We know that Moses passed from death to life, and we see him again in the New Testament. At the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked face-to-face with Jesus (Matt. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).  

Let’s conclude our study of Moses the leader, the way we started: 

Deuteronomy 34:10-12
And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Deuteronomy 34. Where in your life are you most tempted to respond with frustration instead of trusting God’s leadership?

Talking to God: Ask God to show you where you are leading in frustration.  

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