How to Overcome Pride with Sheep
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth) Numbers 12:3.
The bible tells us there are many blessings attached to being humble. Here are a few examples:
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” James 4:6. And Proverbs 18:12 tells us “before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor”.
Jesus tells us “blessed are the meek (or humble), for they will inherit the earth” Mathew 5:5.
And Moses had this quality in spades. To read the passage for context, click here.
But, before we begin, what does it mean to be humble? You can read the definition from Strong’s Concordance here.
God’s Favor
So being humble is a great thing. It positions us for God’s favor.
But getting humble is a different story.
Getting humble, is for lack of a better word, humiliating.
Could it be that the reason Moses was more humble than anyone on the face of the earth was because he was more humiliated?
After all, Moses came from greatness as the grandson of Pharoah. He was royalty. And perhaps destined for the throne of Egypt.
But when he was forced to flee Egypt, he ended up having to live in the desert. And to be of all things a shepherd.
How to Overcome Pride in the Sheepfold
To an ancient Egyptian, a shepherd wasn’t merely just a common person. It wasn’t just a lowly and humble estate, but a despised one. This word doesn’t mean to hate. It means to look down on with disrespect.
When Joseph’s family was moving to Egypt to be near him, there was a hitch.
Genesis 46: 34 tells us Joseph’s father and brothers couldn’t live in the same land as the Egyptians because they were shepherds.
“You [Joseph’s brothers] should answer [Pharoah], ‘your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
So, Moses, this man who came from greatness and royalty, ended up having to be something about as far from what he had probably imagined for himself as could be.
This is the man who was perhaps being groomed to be the next pharaoh. Who, in any case was the grandson of Pharoah. And grew up in the royal household.
And he ended up being something his people detested. It wasn’t just common, ordinary, humble. It was detestable.
The Prescription for Humility
I believe this, in large part, is how Moses became so humble- by being humbled. He could not have been put in more humiliating circumstances.
I’m sure while he was going through it, it was difficult, maybe even excruciating.
But it was working in him the glorious humility that enabled him to experience God’s grace. And be honored and distinguished among men.
If you liked How to Overcome Pride. . . , you may also enjoy Repentance and Forgiveness: The Link.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2023 Anita Wood