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Applying Moses' Humility to Personal Spiritual Growth

Humility, a prominent Christian grace, is a state of mind pleasing to God that fosters tranquility and patience through trials [2]. It is a characteristic of saints, regarded and heard by God, and those who possess it are said to enjoy God's presence, be delivered and lifted up by Him, and receive more grace [1]. The concept of humility is deeply rooted in biblical narratives and teachings, with Moses serving as a significant example in the Old Testament, and Christ as the ultimate model in the New Testament [2, 1].

Moses' humility is explicitly noted in Numbers 12:3, which describes him as "very humble, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" [11]. This parenthetical comment, whether from Moses himself or a later editor, highlights his godly character in contrast to the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron [11]. Moses' initial reluctance to accept God's call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt also demonstrates his humility. When God spoke to him from the burning bush, Moses questioned his own sufficiency, asking, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" [10]. He felt unworthy of the honor and unequal to the task, believing he lacked the courage to confront Pharaoh and the skill to lead the dispirited Israelites [10]. This self-assessment, rather than a display of false modesty, reflects a genuine recognition of his limitations before a monumental divine task.

The Jewish tradition, through figures like Rashi, emphasizes the connection between humility and honor, stating that "Humility causes honor to come" [8]. This aligns with biblical proverbs such as "The pride of man humbleth him, and humility of spirit upholdeth honour" (Proverbs 29:23) and "Before honor is humility" (Proverbs 15:33) [3, 1]. Tyndale House further elaborates on this, noting that haughtiness leads to failure because it resists criticism and change, whereas humility allows one to learn from others, leading to the honor of success [9].

The New Testament consistently presents Jesus Christ as the supreme example of humility [2]. He declared, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29) [13]. Christ's humility was evident in His willingness to empty Himself, taking on human nature, being born in humble circumstances, and subjecting Himself to His parents [2, Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16; Luke 2:4-7, 51]. His life was characterized by poverty, partaking in human infirmities, submitting to ordinances, and becoming a servant [2, Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Hebrews 4:15; 5:7; Matthew 3:13-15; 20:28; Luke 22:27; Philippians 2:7]. He associated with the despised, refused worldly honors, and even washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating a profound lowliness of heart [2, Matthew 9:10-11; Luke 15:1-2; John 5:41; 6:15; 13:5]. This self-emptying, or kenosis, was the wellspring of His own spiritual repose, and He invites all to follow His example to experience the same rest [13].

For personal spiritual growth, applying the humility exemplified by Moses and Christ involves several key aspects. First, it requires a realistic self-assessment, acknowledging one's dependence on God rather than relying on self-sufficiency. Moses' "Who am I?" reflects this recognition of human inadequacy in the face of divine calling [10]. Second, it involves embracing a posture of meekness, which is closely related to humility [4]. Christ's meekness is highlighted in passages like Matthew 11:29 and 2 Corinthians 10:1 [4]. Saints are encouraged to seek meekness, put it on, receive the word of God with it, and exhibit it in their conduct [6, Zephaniah 2:3; Colossians 3:12-13; James 1:21; 3:13]. Ministers are specifically called to follow after meekness and instruct opposers with it [6, 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:24-25].

Humility also involves a willingness to be taught and to learn from others, as noted by Tyndale House on Proverbs 18:12 [9]. This openness to correction and growth stands in contrast to haughtiness, which resists change and criticism [9]. The Apostle Paul, in Titus 3:3, reminds believers of their former state before God's kindness and love came to them, suggesting that this remembrance should foster humility [7]. Our past condition, marked by vanity and sin, serves as a constant reminder of our need for God's grace and mercy [5, 7].

The practice of humility is not merely an internal disposition but also manifests in outward actions. It is seen in hospitality, especially towards strangers, the poor, and even enemies [6]. It is a test of Christian character and is commanded in Scripture [9, Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on James 4:10 emphasizes that humility in the sight of the Lord, recognizing His constant presence, is the truest incentive to humility [12]. Just as a tree must strike its roots deep to grow upwards, so too must a person be deeply rooted in humility to be exalted [12]. This exaltation is promised by God, both in this world and fully in the world to come [12]. Proverbs 15:33 states that "humility comes before honor," and Proverbs 29:23 notes that "humility of spirit upholds honor" [1, 3].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  3. Proverbs “Proverbs 29:23 (YLT) — The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Vanity — A consequence of the fall -- Ro 8:20. Every man is -- Ps 39:11. Every state of man is -- Ps 62:9. Man at his best estate is -- Ps 39:5. Man is like to -- Ps 144:4. The thoughts of man are -- Ps 94:11. The days of man are -- Job 7:16; Ec 6:12. Childhood and youth are -- Ec 11:10. The beauty of man is -- Ps 39:11; Pr 31:30. The help of man in -- Ps 60:11; La 4:17. Man's own righteousness is -- Isa 57:12. Worldly wisdom is -- Ec 2:15,21; 1Co 3:20. Worldly pleasure is -- Ec 2:1. Worldly anxiety -- Ps 39:6; 127:2. Worldly labour is -- Ec 2:11; 4:4. Worldly enjoym”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
  7. Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:3: 3:3 Humility (3:2) is fitting, considering our state when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Eph 2:1-4; 5:8; Col 3:7; 1 Pet 4:3).”
  8. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 15:33: and before honor there is humility Humility causes honor to come.”
  9. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 18:12: 18:12 Haughtiness cultivates pride. It leads to failure because it does not allow for change in the face of criticism. Humility learns from others and leads to the honor of success.”
  10. Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 3:11: God, having spoken to Moses, allows him also a liberty of speech, which he here improves; and, I. He objects his own insufficiency for the service he was called to (Exo 3:11): Who am I? He thinks himself unworthy of the honour, and not par negotio - equal to the task. He thinks he wants courage, and therefore cannot go to Pharaoh, to make a demand which might cost the demandant his head: he thinks he wants skill, and therefore cannot bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt; they are unarmed, undisciplined, quite dispirited, utterly unable to help themselve”
  11. Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 12:3: 12:3 Moses’ incomparable humility contrasts his godly character (see also Prov 3:34; Matt 5:5) with Miriam and Aaron’s jealousy. • This parenthetical comment, a simple statement of the truth from God’s perspective, could be the words of Moses or of a later editor.”
  12. James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 4:10: in the sight of the Lord--as continually in the presence of Him who alone is worthy to be exalted: recognizing His presence in all your ways, the truest incentive to humility. The tree, to grow upwards, must strike its roots deep downwards; so man, to be exalted, must have his mind deep-rooted in humility. In Pe1 5:6, it is, Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, namely, in His dealings of Providence: a distinct thought from that here. lift you up--in part in this world, fully in the world to come.”
  13. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you--the yoke of subjection to Jesus. and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls--As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.”
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