Topical Bible: Ambition: Falsely Charged Against Moses

◄ Ambition: Falsely Charged Against Moses ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, Moses stands as one of the most significant figures, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. Despite his pivotal role and divine appointment, Moses faced numerous challenges and accusations, including charges of ambition and self-promotion, which were unfounded and contrary to his character as depicted in the Scriptures.

Korah's Rebellion

One of the most notable instances where Moses was falsely accused of ambition occurred during the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. In Numbers 16, these men, along with 250 leaders of the congregation, rose up against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and accusing them of exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord. They said, "You have gone too far! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" (Numbers 16:3).

Moses' response to this accusation was not one of defensiveness or self-justification. Instead, he fell facedown, demonstrating humility and seeking God's guidance. He proposed a test to let the Lord show whom He had chosen, indicating his reliance on divine authority rather than personal ambition (Numbers 16:4-7).

Moses' Humility

The charge of ambition against Moses is further contradicted by the biblical testimony of his character. In Numbers 12:3, it is written, "Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth" . This description underscores Moses' humility, a trait that is inconsistent with the pursuit of personal glory or power.

Leadership Reluctance

Moses' initial reluctance to accept the leadership role also speaks against any notion of ambition. When God called him from the burning bush to deliver the Israelites, Moses hesitated, expressing doubt in his own abilities and asking, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). His repeated objections and request for God to send someone else (Exodus 4:13) further illustrate his lack of self-seeking ambition.

Intercession for the People

Another aspect of Moses' leadership that refutes the charge of ambition is his intercessory role for the Israelites. On several occasions, when God threatened to destroy the people for their disobedience, Moses pleaded on their behalf, even offering to have his own name blotted out of God's book if it would spare them (Exodus 32:32). Such self-sacrificial intercession is inconsistent with a desire for personal advancement.

Conclusion

The biblical account of Moses presents a leader who, despite facing false accusations of ambition, consistently demonstrated humility, reliance on God, and a selfless commitment to the well-being of the people he was called to lead. His life and actions serve as a testament to the qualities of true, God-centered leadership.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 16:13
Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land that flows with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except you make yourself altogether a prince over us?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... brisk in virtuous practice, that it is ambition or ostentation ... ad leones, Christians
must be charged and persecuted ... it is usual that they speak falsely, as it ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

The Argument for the Immaculate Conception.
... 12:4 sqq.; the woman being falsely understood to ... They charged each other with heresy,
and even with ... XLV., where he speaks of Mary's ambition (philotimia) and ...
/.../ 29 the argument for.htm

John Calvin. His Life and Character.
... in which he recommends a French refugee, falsely accused of ... of Calvin's character,
whose only ambition was to ... the law and the gospel, and charged the Sophists ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 56 john calvin his.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... conquests lay beyond the horizon of his ambition and intention ... delusion of the company
must be charged on the ... the vain conceits of a philosophy falsely so called ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... duty it is, unless he is falsely so-called ... enlarge, for in it somewhat of ambition
mingled, and ... Athanasius was charged with having murdered Arsenius, and his ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... him so long, saying, "As for this Moses,"we wot ... to my joy and everlasting comfort
against the great ... was committed to prison, the jailor being charged to keep ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... the battle of Carchemish"Nebuchadrezzar II.: his policy with regard to Media"The
conquests of Cyaxares and the struggles of the Mermnadae against the Greek ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... Then began the struggle against arbitrary power, which was overthrown in 1688,
the year of Bunyan's death, by the accession of William III. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... That I am not speaking falsely of them in this ... no other gods beside me" [ie, of Moses,
cf ... Tertullian is especially bitter against Praxeas, because he prevented ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... that the attribute of Godhead is falsely applied to ... pave a way for their blasphemy
against the Only ... displaying therein a petty and juvenile ambition for combat ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm