Moses: Character of Meekness of
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Moses, one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, is often celebrated for his leadership, faith, and obedience to God. However, one of the defining characteristics of Moses is his meekness. This quality is highlighted in several passages and is integral to understanding his role and relationship with God and the Israelites.

Biblical References to Meekness

The Bible explicitly refers to Moses' meekness in Numbers 12:3: "Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth" . This verse underscores the exceptional nature of Moses' humility, setting him apart as a leader who did not seek his own glory but rather the fulfillment of God's will.

Meekness in Leadership

Moses' meekness is evident in his interactions with both God and the people of Israel. Despite being chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses often expressed reluctance and self-doubt. In Exodus 3:11, when God calls him from the burning bush, Moses responds, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" . This response reflects a humble acknowledgment of his own limitations and a reliance on God's strength.

Throughout the wilderness journey, Moses faced numerous challenges and rebellions from the people he led. His meekness is particularly evident in his intercessory role. In Exodus 32:11-14, after the Israelites worship the golden calf, Moses pleads with God to spare them, demonstrating his selfless concern for the people despite their disobedience.

Meekness in Conflict

Moses' meekness is also apparent in how he handled personal attacks and conflicts. In Numbers 12, when Miriam and Aaron speak against him, Moses does not defend himself. Instead, God intervenes on his behalf, affirming Moses' unique relationship with Him. This incident highlights Moses' trust in God to vindicate him rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Meekness and Obedience

Moses' meekness is closely tied to his obedience to God. He consistently sought God's guidance and followed His commands, even when they were difficult or when he faced opposition. In Exodus 17:4, when the people grumble for water, Moses cries out to the Lord, showing his dependence on divine direction rather than relying on his own understanding.

Meekness and Authority

Despite his meekness, Moses exercised strong leadership and authority when necessary. His humility did not equate to weakness; rather, it was a strength that allowed him to lead with integrity and righteousness. In Exodus 32:19-20, upon seeing the idolatry of the Israelites, Moses decisively breaks the tablets of the Law and destroys the golden calf, demonstrating that meekness can coexist with righteous indignation and decisive action.

Conclusion

Moses' character of meekness is a profound example of how humility and strength can coexist in a leader. His life illustrates that true meekness involves a deep trust in God, a willingness to serve others selflessly, and the courage to stand firm in righteousness. Through his meekness, Moses fulfilled his God-given mission and left a lasting legacy as a servant of the Lord.
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Exodus 14:13,14
And Moses said to the people, Fear you not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom you have seen to day, you shall see them again no more for ever.
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Exodus 15:24,25
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
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Exodus 16:2,3,7,8
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
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Numbers 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on the face of the earth.)
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Numbers 16:4-11
And when Moses heard it, he fell on his face:
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Library

Moses
... Of his character one thing only is said: but that is most important. 'Now the man
Moses was very ... Indeed, if his had been that base sort of meekness, he never ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

Prayer and Character and Conduct
... of such men as Abraham, Job, David, Moses and all ... The character of the inner life
is a condition of ... he is called, with all lowliness and meekness;" gives him a ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/viii prayer and character and.htm

Christian Meekness
... Basil the Great calls this the indelible character of a ... Meekness does not vent itself
in scurrility. ... the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of ...
... father; Joseph, love for his brethren; Moses, unselfishness and meekness; Joshua,
courage ... presentation of such a peerless and wondrous character. ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter four the character of.htm

The Poison and the Antidote
... him, and thus it witnesses to his 'meekness.' His pardon ... Moses had often prayed for
the people when they ... been forsaken; but they change their character and are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the poison and the antidote.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... was the meekest of men; and yet Christ far excels Moses in his meekness. Around
Moses there seems to be a hedge, a ring of fire. The character of Moses is like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... trait of his character, a meekness and modesty of ... but, whatever might be the character
of the ... Randall, George Dougherty, Hanover Dunning, Moses Matthews, James ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. . ...
... that he was a greater prophet than Moses, (Deuteronomy 18 ... A lesson of lowliness and
meekness from the Lord ... doctrines and points which are the character of them. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter v humility is the.htm

A Last Merciful Warning
... to dwell on superiority over others, either as to condition or character, unless
we ... Moses' anger we naturally sympathise with, Christ's meekness we should ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a last merciful warning.htm

The Name Above Every Name
... Truth and meekness and righteousness ... He is the true Moses who leads us through the
wilderness ... too often forget the soldier-like virtues in the character of Christ ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the name above every name.htm

Resources
Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many times did Moses ascend Mount Sinai? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.org

Moses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

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Moses

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Moses: A Type of the Messiah

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Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor

Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes

Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People

Moses: Body of, Disputed Over

Moses: Character of Called the Man of God

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Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend

Moses: Character of Impatience of

Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad

Moses: Character of Magnified of God

Moses: Character of Meekness of

Moses: Character of Obedience of

Moses: Character of Respected and Feared

Moses: Character of Unaspiring

Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites

Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh

Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed

Moses: Death and Burial of

Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh

Moses: Face of, Transfigured

Moses: God Reveals to Him his Purpose to Deliver the Israelites and Bring Them Into the Land of Canaan

Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush

Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket

Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision

Moses: His Loyalty to his Race

Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored

Moses: His Virility

Moses: Institutes a System of Government

Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward

Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness

Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian

Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt

Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness

Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab

Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah

Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron

Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration

Moses: Prophecies of

Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against

Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord

Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased

Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh

Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings

Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf

Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt

Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster

Moses: Unbelief of the People

Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt

Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses

Patriotism: Moses

Related Terms

Moses's (15 Occurrences)

Moses'feet (1 Occurrence)

Zipporah (3 Occurrences)

Attendant (15 Occurrences)

Amram (14 Occurrences)

Aide (7 Occurrences)

Shone (27 Occurrences)

Vail (44 Occurrences)

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

Sprinkleth (11 Occurrences)

Stretcheth (33 Occurrences)

Approached (61 Occurrences)

Stoned (38 Occurrences)

Stretched (234 Occurrences)

Spy (27 Occurrences)

Stretch (73 Occurrences)

Snake (43 Occurrences)

Amalekites (36 Occurrences)

Am'alek (21 Occurrences)

Amalek (35 Occurrences)

Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)

Stubborn (40 Occurrences)

Staff (91 Occurrences)

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Consecration (22 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Skin (115 Occurrences)

Zippo'rah (3 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Kindled (83 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Assembled (186 Occurrences)

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Casteth (54 Occurrences)

Camped (100 Occurrences)

Circumcise (13 Occurrences)

Crieth (47 Occurrences)

Collected (55 Occurrences)

Contended (24 Occurrences)

Abihu (12 Occurrences)

Strove (25 Occurrences)

Setteth (116 Occurrences)

Consider (178 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Apostasy (6 Occurrences)

Answereth (144 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Armed (147 Occurrences)

Assemble (77 Occurrences)

Sinai (38 Occurrences)

Station (78 Occurrences)

Started (51 Occurrences)

Caleb (39 Occurrences)

Stopped (134 Occurrences)

Settled (112 Occurrences)

Allotted (54 Occurrences)

Sinned (156 Occurrences)

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)

Sanctified (105 Occurrences)

Veil (67 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Voices (76 Occurrences)

Suddenly (87 Occurrences)

Assigned (64 Occurrences)

Smell (77 Occurrences)

Youth (169 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Completed (109 Occurrences)

Vests (6 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Zimri (16 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Moses: Character of Magnified of God
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