Should there be a prophet among you,
in visions will I reveal myself to him,
in dreams will I speak to him;
not so with my servant Moses!
Throughout my house he bears my trust:
face to face I speak to him;
plainly and not in riddles.
The presence of the LORD he beholds.
Saint Paul created the study of typology in Romans 5:14 with his reference to Adam:
But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come.
In today's reading from the Book of Numbers, Moses is a type of Jesus. He resembles the Lord first by the trust which the LORD has given to him. He alone saw and spoke with God face to face, plainly and not in riddles. Jesus, by reason of his standing as Son of God -- and not as an adopted child like you or me, but as the Only Begotten Son -- enjoyed infinitely more trust.
Where God spoke words to Moses "plainly and without riddles," Jesus is the Word spoken to Moses.
Hearing that, someone might conclude, "There is no comparison!" but we should appreciate and be amazed by the privilege given to Moses, and then turn our amazed attention to Jesus. No one can fully comprehend such blessings although we enjoy them.
Numbers also describes Moses as the meekest of all humans. He may have been fierce in his role as leader, lawgiver, and judge of God's people but it was never about himself, as this story demonstrates. Rather than defend himself and his Cushite wife against his accusers, he waited upon God to defend him. We remember Jesus as meek and humble of heart. He was defenseless, like a lamb led to slaughter. (Acts 8:32 and Isaiah 53:7 and Matthew 11:29).
Finally, Numbers tells how Moses pleaded before God for his sister Miriam when she was punished with leprosy. Although she had fabricated a complaint against him, "...Moses cried to the LORD, "Please, not this! Pray, heal her!" Jesus also pleaded with God on our behalf even as he was crucified:
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
That story of the Crucified Savior's meekness points forward to the martyrdom of Steven and becomes a principle for our own behavior. We should beware of defensiveness in conversation with others. While we should be ready with an explanation for our hope, as Saint Peter says, we should stand aside and let the Lord defend us. I think especially of Mary of Bethany's silence when her sister Martha came storming out of the kitchen. She didn't jump up immediately and flee from the Lord's presence. In fact she said nothing at all as the Lord spoke meekly and gently to Martha.
Finally, Moses' meekness sets the model for all God's people, the descendants of Abraham both natural and adopted, as we rely on God to fulfill his promises of security, peace, and prosperity. We should not worry about our food, clothing, or shelter as the Lord provides for us as he does for the birds. Certainly, our anxious concern for these things betrays a lack of confidence. Our concern must be the vigilant trust which we find in Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
If our behavior is less than ideal and sometimes downright disappointing, we have the Lord to speak for us, ""Please, not this! Pray, heal them!"
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.