The Meekness of Moses

I have spoken with a few folks about this quarter's Sabbath School lesson on the book of Numbers and to a man (an woman!) everyone is quite enthusiastic and grateful for the particular lesson. And why not. This quarter's lesson has brought for many renewed interest in a book of the Bible that many consider, quite frankly, fairly boring. I've read the book before but this quarterly has helped shed new light on a number of topics and given new light to, and renewed interest in, this book. When examined much closer the book of Numbers is a book full of many fascinating, dramatic and certainly heart wrenching stories of both individuals, and the congregation of the children of Israel in particular. These stories really cause the brain to work overtime in an attempt to understand just exactly what is happening and the lessons we are being taught from scripture.

Then something hit me this morning while I was reading the E.G. White Notes book that is part of the Sabbath School quarterly. Moses was not just meek, he was super meek (if there is such a thing)!

Regarding the Sin of Moses and Aaron Inspiration writes: "Aaron and Moses both sinned in not giving glory and honor to God at the waters of Meribah. They were both wearied and provoked with the continual complaining of Israel, and, at a time when God was to mercifully display His glory to the people, to soften and subdue their hearts and lead them to repentance, Moses and Aaron claimed the power of opening the rock for them. "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Here was a golden opportunity to sanctify the Lord in the midst of them, to show them the long-suffering of God and His tender pity for them. They had murmured against Moses and Aaron because they could not find water. Moses and Aaron took these murmurings as a great trial and dishonor to themselves, forgetting that it was God whom the people were grieving. It was God whom they were sinning against and dishonoring, not those who were appointed of God to carry out His purpose. They were insulting their best Friend in charging their calamities upon Moses and Aaron; they were murmuring at God's providence." {3T 301.3}

And that's when it hit me just exactly who Moses was, and what a truly a meek and humble man was. While it is certainly evident in all the wonderful actions of Israel's first shepperd in guiding God's children, and his magnanimous pleadings and prayers to God, just exactly how meek and humble Moses is what dawned on me. The quote above helped me figure it out.

Now, if we believe that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, and I see no reason not to believe this considering just how many theologians believe this, then this quote from Numbers 20:10 really is quite fascinating: "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Moses was writing about himself! He was writing about what he had done. He was admitting for all to see his fault, his misstep, his error and most of all his sin. How many of us could do this? He goes on to tell us even more in verse 11: "And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also]." Wow, what honesty in the face of all the difficult times he had been through with Israel amd on the heels of the death of his sister.

How many could, or would, write so little about the death of our sister and yet be so open and honest about the very sin that would keep Moses from entering into the promised land? While pondering this I couldn't help thinking about just exactly how great a servant of God Moses truly was. Would any of us have been so willingly honest and open regarding our own sinfulness? Would we write what happened without embellishment and admit our fault as Moses did?

The humbleness, humility and honesty of Moses are truly magnificent gifts that God gave this man, who in spite all that he went through with Israel, was still able to delivery them into the hands of Joshua. Mission accomplished.

Happy Easter?

I like to visit various Christian forums to discuss and debate different aspects of Christianity and especially the doctrine and beliefs of Seventh-day Adventistism. Just a few days ago I logged on to one particular Christian web forum where I saw a banner ad for Easter costumes. Having my curiosity pricked I clicked on the banner to see just exactly what an "Easter" costume was all about.

The picture you see here is a product of what I found from searching the site. This picture has also left me scratching my head quite frankly.

Now, the picture here is not a picture of an aged or maturing Sasquatch although it could certainly pass for one! According to the web site it's a costume for those that want to "dress up" as Moses (Rav Mo'she)! Gee, ain't that just a hoot!

Now I'm sorry to be so sarcastic regarding this but I find this absolutely fascinating and just a wee bit troubling, and here's why.

We all know, for the most part that Easter has its origins in paganism and the adoption of pagan practices. In fact the name "Easter" has at it's core the name of several different pagan gods - Eostre of the Saxons, Ishtar of the Assyrians, Ashtoreth of the ancient Canaanites, derived from the ancient word for spring! Just another pagan god. Spring! Is Easter just becoming a new Halloween for Christians? It was pointed out to me, if you think about it, that Sunday is really just a "mini-Easter" celebration! In that sense celebrating Easter would almost appear to be redundant!

Of course, this Easter is (by far) much, much different from what the Passover of the Lord in the book of Exodus was to not only represent, but to become in our lives. Our Passover Lamb - Jesus Christ, was sacrificed at a different time, in a different place, in a completely different manner and, above all, for a completely different reason than what is represented in the Easter "holiday." His shed blood was meant to cover our sins that are found on the door posts of our earthly tents (justification) and, as that Lamb is ingested into our bodies, we are to become more like Him by taking our His nature and His character (sanctification).

This distinction should never, ever be lost on Seventh-day Adventists or for that matter any Christian.

I remember that very first Christmas I experienced in an Adventist church like it was yesterday. Of course, in that was just a little over three years ago, it really was just like yesterday! I remember thinking to myself that considering all the truth Adventists have in the Word of God and explained through the Spirit of Prophecy regarding that which will soon come to pass that embracing something born from paganism seemed odd. You know it's taken a few years since I became an Adventist to kind of get used to the whole Christmas thing.....honestly. But it still surprises me somewhat to this day that Adventists (not all) celebrate Christmas to some extent. And yes, I've read Mrs. White on Christmas.....so I see the point, at least a little anyway. In considering that so many Adventists are converts from other denominations Christmas almost becomes somewhat understandable frankly.

But not Easter - I'll never get used to seeing Easter celebrated in an Adventist church. Why? Because of all Christian denominations Seventh-day Adeventism seems to come closer to any other in understanding the sanctuary, the services of the sanctuary, the feasts and festivals centered around the sanctuary and above all the rich and deep meaning behind all the things that are represented by and through the sanctuary. Personally, I almost find it difficult to understand the true nature and character of God that Satan has constantly and regularly assailed without understanding these things.

In fact, I would love to see Seventh-day Adventists, as well as all Christendom for that matter, begin to embrace all of the feasts and festivals of the Torah and the Prophets, and learn and investigate the meaning behind the Bible feasts and festivals. These feasts and festivals, unlike some will say, have not been "nailed to the cross" but still provide a valuable window for us all to understand the second coming of Jesus Christ.