He pulled off what has to be the biggest, most magnificent rescue in history. Countless miracles were done through him. I mean big, big things that would likely terrify you and I if they were done today. He “went up to God” on a mountain and talked to Him as one talks with a friend.
Moses experienced God in ways no other person has experienced Him. And then, Moses died and God buried him where his grave would not ever be found. Can our minds even wrap around that bit of news?
He lived an epic life, whether he ever saw it that way or not. And isn’t that what so many of us want? To live a full and epic life? To do something that lasts, that has meaning, that changes something?
Moses is known as a great leader; maybe the greatest. But do we have any idea the weight he carried? Do we know his stress, his fear, frustrations, and even disdain for the people he was leading? No. No we don’t. Some of the biggest leaders in the Church today may think they can relate, but in reality there is nothing that comes close to what Moses was called to do.
Ok, that was the setup for what I felt led by God to write today.
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then …”
These are the first lines of the first chapter of Joshua, and it’s important to hear what God is saying here, by hearing what He didn’t say.
Moses, your great leader is dead.
Moses, My friend is dead.
Moses, the rescuer is dead.
Moses, the man who did mighty miracles is dead.
It was far more simple and profound than that.
Moses, My servant is dead.
I would like to propose something to you. While Moses was all of the things God didn’t say, I think God cut through all of what we would call identity and named who Moses was to Him.
My servant.
šāraṯ. Pronounced shaw-rath. That’s the word God used for Moses. “to attend as a menial or worshipper; to minister” (Strong’s)
The courage before Pharoah, the obedience that resulted in miracles, climbing the mountain into the dark cloud of presence, carrying God’s people to the edge of the Promised Land. The earthly perspective is that Moses was a great leader, perhaps the best in history. The view from heaven was of a man serving his God.
We all have to choose which perspective means more to us.
“… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-27)
Lord, of all the things I may be known as, I desire most that You know me as Your servant. I pray that I will never serve a title given by men above serving You and ministering to Your heart.
Karla Jo Wasion 