MaryEllen Montville

‘But Moses objected. “What will the Egyptians think when they hear about it?” he asked the Lord. “They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing your people from Egypt.’ –Numbers 14:13

The world asks, “What’s in your wallet?” But the Lord asks, “What’s in your heart?”

Character isn’t revealed in times of comfort and ease; instead, it’s revealed in times of trials, testing, persecution, or betrayal. “Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his conduct is pure and right.” –Proverbs 20:11

Once again, the people of God have rebelled against Moses. They’ve hardened their hearts against God’s chosen leader; worse, they’d hardened their hearts against God Himself—even after having been warned by Moses and Aaron not to commit such a sin against the Lord. “That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes.” –Numbers 14:1-6.

We could talk about the people’s hardheartedness and rebellion today—they’ve given us much to talk about. We could also talk about how these same people God had entrusted to Moses’ care turned on him multiple times—including those of his own household. But we won’t be looking at any of that today because the Lord caused something else to stand out instead, as I read Numbers 14. “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.” –Numbers 12:1-2

It wasn’t other people’s actions God was highlighting, however; instead, it was the posture of Moses’ heart.

How Moses had responded to accusations and betrayal, and to the Lord telling him of His intent to destroy these unbelieving, contemptuous people and start afresh, building a new nation through Moses. “The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” –Numbers 14:11-12

If you listen closely to Moses’ plea, you can hear the far-off cry of Jesus’ own heart, interceding before the Father for the forgiveness of those who took part in His betrayal and crucifixion: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” –Luke 23:34

And later, still, as He intercedes for those who will yet repent and believe in Him. “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message. “ –John17:20

Moses was, after all, created in God’s image and, like Jesus, had, among his other gifts, a shepherd’s heart. Hear the heart of this humble, committed servant of God in Moses’ response to His Lord’s demand for atonement. Listen as he pleads for mercy and forgiveness, not punishment, revenge, or even vindication. Moses cares more for His Lord’s reputation and the lives of those who have betrayed him than he cares for his own.

So he pleads for God to stay His hand of judgment against them, asking instead for mercy for these guilty, rebellious, sinful, lost people entrusted to his care. “If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, ‘The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’” –Numbers 14:15

Like Moses, every Blood-bought believer is charged by our Lord to have this same heart of reverence for His Holy Name; and mercy, intercession, and forgiveness toward all those who have rebelled against, hurt, defamed, discouraged, lied about, or falsely accused us.

How can I say this with all certainty?

Because God’s Word gives me, gives us, that authority when addressing those who have professed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” –Philippians 2:5-8

Moses valued those who persecuted, spitefully spoke against, and betrayed him as having no less value than himself, despite their cruel actions and intentions towards him. So did the Apostle Paul. And so must you and I, if we call Jesus not only Savior, but Lord. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” –Mark 10:45

Still, neither Moses nor Paul nor John, nor any Old or New Testament servant ever accomplished such a Divine feat in their own strength. Impossible! “Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” –1 John 3:16.

So how did these believers accomplish such a seemingly impossible feat? The very same Way you and I, and every other Blood-bought believer, will. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” –Zechariah 4:6

In closing, friends, the Lord saw Moses’ heart, John’s, and Paul’s as well. What’s in your heart? “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” –Psalm 139:23-24

I pray Jesus finds a heart sold-out to Him when He looks into your heart.

A heart willing to love as He loves—valuing others, their needs, before your own. “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.” –John 15:13

No man, save Jesus, was, is, or ever will be, perfect, friend. Nor does Jesus expect you to be. Moses wasn’t. Neither was Paul nor John. But one thing Jesus saw in each of them was a heart fully surrendered to Him: willing to go anywhere, to do anything He asked of them—including to lay down their very lives, for Him.

I pray Jesus finds this heart in you and me. “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility.” –Philippians 2:5

Are you willing to humble yourself before Him? Put others before self? Serve Jesus, whenever and wherever He calls you?

Are you willing to forgive more, plead for the forgiveness of those who have betrayed, despised, slandered, hurt, or tried to harm you?

Moses did. John did. Paul did.

How about you, friend? What’s in your heart?

So I pray that you do know Jesus, new friend, prodigal son; the same Jesus who gave His life in exchange for yours. The Innocent in place of the guilty—His heart is Love incomprehensible. I too pray, as Moses did: that God demonstrate this Love, forgiveness, and power in your life this very day. “Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing Love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty.” –Numbers 14:17-18