Unselfishness: Moses
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Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is often celebrated for his unselfishness and dedication to God's people. His life, as chronicled in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, provides numerous examples of his selfless leadership and commitment to the Israelites.

Early Life and Calling

Moses was born during a time of great oppression for the Israelites in Egypt. Rescued from death as an infant, he was raised in Pharaoh's household but fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-15). It was in Midian that God called Moses from the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). Despite his initial reluctance and self-doubt, Moses accepted this daunting task, demonstrating his willingness to put aside personal comfort for the sake of his people.

Leadership and Intercession

Throughout the Exodus journey, Moses consistently exhibited unselfishness, often interceding on behalf of the Israelites despite their frequent complaints and rebellion. One notable instance is when the Israelites fashioned a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. God's anger burned against them, and He threatened to destroy them. However, Moses pleaded with God to spare them, even offering to have his own name blotted out of God's book if it would save the people (Exodus 32:11-14, 32). This act of intercession highlights Moses' selfless concern for the Israelites' welfare over his own standing with God.

Sacrifices and Challenges

Moses' unselfishness is further evident in his willingness to endure personal hardship for the sake of his mission. Leading a large, often unruly group through the desert for forty years required immense patience and sacrifice. Despite the constant challenges, Moses remained committed to guiding the Israelites to the Promised Land. In Numbers 12:3, the Berean Standard Bible describes Moses as "a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth," underscoring his selfless character.

Delegation and Empowerment

Moses also demonstrated unselfishness through his willingness to delegate authority and empower others. Recognizing the burden of leadership, he heeded the advice of his father-in-law, Jethro, to appoint capable men to help judge the people, thus ensuring more efficient governance and care for the community (Exodus 18:17-24). This decision reflects Moses' understanding that leadership is not about personal power but about serving the needs of the people.

Final Acts of Selflessness

As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses was informed by God that he would not be allowed to enter due to an earlier act of disobedience (Numbers 20:12). Despite this personal disappointment, Moses continued to lead faithfully, delivering God's laws and instructions to the people. In Deuteronomy 34, Moses ascended Mount Nebo, where he viewed the Promised Land before his death. His life ended with the same selfless dedication that had characterized his leadership.

Moses' legacy of unselfishness serves as a powerful example of servant leadership, marked by humility, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to God's purposes and the well-being of His people.
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Numbers 11:29
And Moses said to him, Envy you for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!
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Numbers 14:12-19
I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a greater nation and mightier than they.
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Library

For the Sake of a Nation.
... And one can well understand Moses looking down from above with grateful heart that
he had been denied for their sakes. The unselfishness and wisdom of later ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/for the sake of a.htm

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of ...
... Noah, faithful testimony; Abraham, faith in God; Isaac, submission to his father;
Joseph, love for his brethren; Moses, unselfishness and meekness; Joshua ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter four the character of.htm

God's Pathway to Human Hearts.
... sacrifice a good thing, for a better, or the best; the unselfishness that is ... These
four are Moses' request to enter Canaan; Hannah's prayer for a son; Paul's ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/gods pathway to human hearts.htm

"He Hardened his Heart"
... It was not strange that in time he ceased to fear miracles, and the demonstrations
of Moses were not so ... Unselfishness was not an attribute of ancient kings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxx he hardened his.htm

John's Rebuke of Herod.
... is its straightforwardness, the second is its unconsciousness, and the last its
unselfishness. ... The skin of Moses' face shone after he had been with God, but ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xxi johns rebuke of herod.htm

"The Widow Woman was There. " I Kings xvii. 10
... God will see to it that they do not lose by their unselfishness. ... Even Moses "kept
the passover and the sprinkling of blood," or there would have been a dead ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxvii the widow woman was.htm

The Battle of Life
... Not under Moses' law, of course, but under some law or other. ... meekness, temperance;
these are the fruits of the Spirit: the spirit of unselfishness; the spirit ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon vii the battle of.htm

The Children's Bible
... THE REPORT OF THE HEBREW SPIES. THE LAST WORDS OF MOSES. CROSSING THE RIVER JORDAN. ...
THE REWARDS OF MODESTY AND UNSELFISHNESS. HOW TO USE MONEY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

None Greater than John the Baptist, Yet. . .
... "But how canst Thou say that he is to be compared with Moses, Isaiah, or ... and foremost
the attire of the soul in meekness and truth, purity and unselfishness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xii none greater than john.htm

The First Cry from the Cross
... yourselves, and as Christ has set before you this paragon of unselfishness, seek
to ... It is true, Abraham, and Moses, and the prophets had prayed for the wicked ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the first cry from the.htm

Resources
Is the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Where was God on September 11? | GotQuestions.org

What is self-actualization? | GotQuestions.org

Unselfishness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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