WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.960 God has a wonderful sense of humour and great ways of humbling his servants. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:08.279 So here I am preaching about humility. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:10.359 Let me tell you how the morning began. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:19.640 Needed to print out my sermon, needed to redo the service sheet 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.879 and the photocopier machine that we have, which is a magic machine, 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:24.679 had a major meltdown. 00:00:25.800 --> 00:00:28.539 And I come back in to pick up my work off the machine 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:30.699 and two people are standing there, two of you are standing there. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:33.420 I've apologised to one already, I'll get to the other one, 00:00:34.339 --> 00:00:39.979 saying it's all jammed up and it's just not working. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:43.000 And I said, somebody's physically turned the switch off on the site 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.879 because the switch was off on the site. 00:00:47.019 --> 00:00:49.799 And they're standing there going, wasn't me, wasn't me. 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:52.140 And I'm thinking, well, somebody's turned it off. 00:00:53.239 --> 00:00:55.659 So we go through the cycle again, we turn it on, 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:58.460 we push the instruction on the top, 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:01.200 and as soon as we push the instruction on the top, 00:01:01.299 --> 00:01:03.539 the switch on the side of the machine goes, click. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:07.680 I was wrong. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:09.840 It's hard to say, isn't it? 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:12.319 Let's pray. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:15.219 Lord, as we come to your word this morning, 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:18.400 we pray that you would speak to us by your spirit. 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:21.840 We pray that you would be at work in all of us, 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:24.960 transforming us into the likeness of Christ 00:01:24.959 --> 00:01:28.259 and wrestling with who we really are 00:01:28.259 --> 00:01:31.319 and submitting to you as who you really are. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:34.959 And we pray this in Jesus' name and for his sake. 00:01:35.339 --> 00:01:35.780 Amen. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:38.879 To recap, we are on a journey. 00:01:38.919 --> 00:01:40.139 We had an intermission last week. 00:01:40.199 --> 00:01:41.399 We had back to church Sunday 00:01:41.399 --> 00:01:43.359 and we've got one or two back with us this morning 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:44.299 and that's fantastic. 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:46.439 But we're on a journey. 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:49.099 Before that, we've been on this journey in the Old Testament, 00:01:49.459 --> 00:01:51.659 through the Old Testament book of Numbers. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:56.539 And we began the series in Numbers chapter 9 00:01:56.539 --> 00:02:01.280 and God leading his people on a journey to the land of promise. 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:04.200 All was well. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:06.460 God was in their midst. 00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:10.479 The whole nation's life was centred on him. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:13.060 There was joy and purpose for living 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:16.979 which came from having God as the absolute centre of this nation. 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:22.159 And so it was a journey that began a bit like a Ferrari ride 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:23.879 if you've been on the upgraded M2, 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:26.420 the beautiful, smooth surface that it's got at the moment. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:27.240 It's fast. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:28.479 It's smooth. 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:29.360 It's powerful. 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:31.139 There's not a bump in the road. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:34.680 And then you get to Numbers chapter 11 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:35.919 where we were last time 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:39.580 and it is as if the Ferrari has turned off the highway 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:41.879 onto a rocky bush track 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:44.759 and the grumbles begin. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:48.520 The people complain about their difficult life. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:52.319 They quickly forget how hard it was before. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:54.800 They complain about the menu. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:59.819 They like economy class passengers on a flight to the United States. 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:03.759 They're grizzling about the legroom, the service and the food. 00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:08.439 And Moses comes out one morning 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:10.780 and people are just sobbing all over the place. 00:03:10.859 --> 00:03:12.019 It says in Numbers 11, 00:03:12.139 --> 00:03:14.159 they're standing, the whole families are standing 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:15.759 at the entrances of their tents, 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:17.439 just sobbing. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:23.280 And Moses is so overwhelmed by the people's demands, 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:24.539 he melts down 00:03:24.539 --> 00:03:27.859 and he makes this pitiful complaint to God, 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:28.759 finishing with, 00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:32.539 if this is how you are going to treat me, 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:35.280 do me a favour and put me to death right now. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.139 Don't try it. 00:03:40.139 --> 00:03:45.159 They are not in a good place. 00:03:48.239 --> 00:03:50.379 Short story is God judges the people. 00:03:51.179 --> 00:03:53.939 But the amazing thing is that God answers Moses 00:03:53.939 --> 00:03:56.539 with a word which is to awaken faith. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:59.439 Is the Lord's arm too short? 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:02.500 You will now see whether or not 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:05.500 what I say will come true for you. 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:09.599 And we read on and you see that God does the impossible. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:10.879 He feeds the people. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:11.819 He judges them. 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:14.759 But he tenderly provides for Moses. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:18.620 And he raises up 70 spirit-filled leaders 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:21.160 to assist him in the task of leading the nation. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:24.759 So God hears his complaint 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:29.439 and provides for him in a very generous and personal way. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:33.019 And that leads us into Numbers chapter 12 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:33.980 where we are today. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:35.800 So for Moses, 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:38.120 leadership clearly isn't easy. 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:40.300 The complaints continue 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:42.139 but now they come from a different direction. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:44.139 This time they come from his right-hand man 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:44.980 and his right-hand woman, 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:46.300 both on the same side. 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:51.000 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:52.600 because of his Cushite wife 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:53.899 for he had married a Cushite. 00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:57.860 Has the Lord only spoken through Moses? 00:04:57.860 --> 00:05:00.879 Hasn't he also spoken through us? 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:04.540 And the Lord heard this. 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:10.180 So Miriam and Aaron are Moses' older brother and sister. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:13.120 They've both had very significant and prophetic roles 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:14.600 in leading the people of Israel. 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:18.060 Aaron was the high priest for the nation. 00:05:18.900 --> 00:05:21.540 He was also Moses' public address system. 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:23.439 So when Moses spoke to the people, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:24.879 it was Aaron who did the talking. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:29.259 Miriam was probably the protective big sister 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:31.579 who watched over her baby brother 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:33.920 when their mum floated him in the Nile River. 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:37.780 She was the woman in Exodus 15 00:05:37.780 --> 00:05:40.040 who led the women of Israel 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:42.280 singing and praising God 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:44.300 when he saved them from the Egyptian army. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:48.280 Now she joyously grabbed the tambourine. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:49.680 She bounced all over the place. 00:05:49.780 --> 00:05:50.580 They danced and sang. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:51.040 She said, 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:53.120 Sing to the Lord for he's highly exalted. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:54.700 The horse and its rider 00:05:54.700 --> 00:05:56.180 he has hurled into the sea. 00:05:56.180 --> 00:06:00.920 And so Moses and Aaron and Miriam 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:04.079 were the leading people of the nation 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:11.540 until the Lord appointed 70 spirit-filled leaders 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:12.960 to assist Moses. 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:19.660 The leadership team's just been expanded 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:21.139 in a really big way 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:24.759 and not everyone's happy. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:30.539 Sort of like a family owned and run business 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:31.979 merging with a corporation 00:06:31.979 --> 00:06:33.219 with a whole lot of people 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:35.479 who are at a similar level of leadership. 00:06:37.419 --> 00:06:40.139 And there are many relationships to be juggled 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.560 as people find their place 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.879 in this new organisation. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:45.439 Job security, 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:48.100 potential loss of significance 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:49.660 are big drivers 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:51.259 for many of us. 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:55.219 And so what happens? 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:57.199 Well, two of the original three 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.319 gang up on little brother. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:01.240 So verse 1, 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:02.019 Miriam and Aaron 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:03.639 began to talk against Moses 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:05.639 because of his Cushite wife. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:07.459 For he'd married a Cushite. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:10.819 Has the Lord only spoken through him? 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:16.019 And Moses gets what you call triangled. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:18.399 It's the sort of thing 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:19.620 that people do all the time. 00:07:21.219 --> 00:07:22.399 Your kids are having a fight. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:23.680 Two of your kids are having a fight. 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:24.399 Well, your grandkids, 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:25.180 they're having a fight 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.680 and you step in 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:28.199 and think you'll try and fix things. 00:07:29.539 --> 00:07:30.539 And all of a sudden, 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:31.259 what do they do? 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:31.920 They unite, 00:07:32.039 --> 00:07:33.500 they form an alliance against you 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:34.980 and you get sucked into the conflict 00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:36.740 and they're firmly placed on the other side. 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:43.860 See, Miriam and Aaron 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:45.379 speak against Moses 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:48.280 and the basis for their accusation 00:07:48.280 --> 00:07:49.480 is his foreign wife. 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:54.759 Exodus tells us her name is Zephora. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:56.579 She's a Moabites 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:59.360 who might have come from a place called Cushan. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.340 She may have had a different skin colour. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:06.319 She's descended from Abraham. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.319 But not from Israel. 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:12.319 She hadn't been through the plagues in Egypt 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:14.259 or the journey through the bottom of the sea. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:17.500 She had remained with her dad 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.560 while Moses went 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:21.720 and confronted the king of Egypt. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:25.980 So we're not really sure 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:28.160 what their problem with her was. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.300 You know, 00:08:29.400 --> 00:08:31.199 were they critical of her race? 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:34.659 Or that she hadn't been through the salvation 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.639 and the hard times 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:36.959 that they had been through? 00:08:37.959 --> 00:08:39.740 Or that she had Moses' ear 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:40.959 in a way that they don't? 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:41.980 But whatever it is, 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.179 it becomes the issue 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.199 that Miriam and Aaron 00:08:44.199 --> 00:08:46.100 work themselves up into a lather over 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:46.620 to the point 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.679 that they assert themselves against Moses. 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:52.919 has the Lord only spoken through him? 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:55.479 And it's almost like, 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.939 well, what makes him so special? 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:58.459 Very Aussie. 00:08:58.539 --> 00:08:59.919 They cut down the tall poppy 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:00.899 and they effectively say, 00:09:00.959 --> 00:09:02.000 he's no better than us. 00:09:02.699 --> 00:09:03.779 We've prophesied. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:06.899 And they are right 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:08.240 because the Lord has spoken 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.299 through both of them. 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:14.379 But they are wrong 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:18.939 because God has made Moses special 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:23.259 and God has called Moses to his role. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.120 It's not a very easy thing 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:28.939 to be a leader 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:30.879 when other people think 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.240 they can do a better job than you. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.980 I've been there. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:36.960 And it's easy to think 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:38.460 that you are the better preacher 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:39.620 or that you have 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.159 the intellectual high ground 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.060 or that you have 00:09:42.060 --> 00:09:43.379 a much better idea 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.419 of what is strategic 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:45.779 and what our leaders 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:46.500 should be doing. 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:50.940 Most of us have spent 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:51.879 the last few weeks 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.139 being the wise ones 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:55.080 and articulating 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:56.139 what our prime minister 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:56.700 and government 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:57.919 should be concerned about. 00:09:58.940 --> 00:10:00.560 We know how to do that job, 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:00.980 don't we? 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:05.620 And it's very easy 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.899 when we challenge leadership 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:08.120 to be in the same time 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.159 what we're actually doing 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:11.220 is we're exalting ourselves. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.139 And so Miriam and Aaron 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:17.159 lift themselves to Moses' level. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:18.440 They don't try to go over his level, 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:19.740 they just try to come up to his level. 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.519 And they say, 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:23.320 has the Lord only spoken through Moses? 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:26.060 Hasn't he also spoken through us? 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:31.479 But they're not innocent questions 00:10:31.479 --> 00:10:32.979 because the challenge is on. 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:35.519 And there is a very foreboding 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:38.479 and the Lord heard this. 00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:39.259 Verse 2. 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:42.699 And God steps in 00:10:42.699 --> 00:10:44.059 and he stands by his man. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:45.500 So verse 4, 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:46.979 at once the Lord said to Moses 00:10:46.979 --> 00:10:48.219 and to Aaron and to Miriam, 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:49.959 come out to the tent of meeting, 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:50.679 all three of you, 00:10:50.739 --> 00:10:51.239 get out here. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:54.539 So the three of them came out 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:56.120 and then the Lord came down 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:57.080 in a pillar of cloud 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.799 and he stood at the entrance to the tent 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:00.440 and he summoned Aaron and Miriam. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.320 And when both of them stepped forward, 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:03.759 he said, 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:06.000 listen to my words. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:10.080 When a prophet of the Lord is among you, 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:12.840 I reveal myself to him in visions. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:14.620 I speak to him in dreams. 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:17.980 But this is not true of my servant Moses. 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:20.419 He is faithful in all my house. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:23.200 With him I speak face to face, 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.879 clearly and not in riddles. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:27.220 He sees the form of the Lord. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:32.039 Why then were you not afraid 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:35.039 to speak against my servant Moses? 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:40.299 And verse 9, 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:42.360 the anger of the Lord burned against them 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.840 and he left them. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:49.600 They get a divine dressing down. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:55.179 My tent now, all of you. 00:11:56.820 --> 00:11:58.960 He presents himself in power. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:01.240 The pillar of cloud descends. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.059 He calls Aaron and Miriam 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:03.440 and says, 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:04.240 step forward. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:10.580 They are prophets 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:12.539 and so are the 70 helpers. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.059 They declare the work and the words, 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.919 the work and the, 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.940 the word and the works of God. 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:23.379 If my spirit, 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:26.700 if my sermon is spirit empowered this morning, 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:29.580 it is a prophetic word 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.759 in as much as it is a forth telling 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:33.000 of the word of God 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.639 in a way that engages our hearts 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.220 and is driven by the spirit of God. 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:41.000 And I always pray that God would speak 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.700 through his proclaimed word, 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.639 whether it's a word we speak in public 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.600 or a word that we speak in private. 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:51.180 And so any power is not mine, 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:52.440 it's God's power. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:56.560 So the Lord doesn't mince words 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.800 telling Miriam and Moses 00:12:57.800 --> 00:13:00.180 that when he is among them in prophecy, 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.659 it is him communicating his words 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:04.159 in dreams and visions. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:07.219 It's not them and their abilities, 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:09.199 it's his power which is driving them. 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:12.159 And then he says, 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.779 but Moses is different. 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:17.399 He is my personal house servant. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.740 He is faithful to me. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:21.319 I speak with Moses man to man 00:13:21.319 --> 00:13:22.219 and face to face 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:23.620 and he sees my form. 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:25.980 I've got relationship with him 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.199 that I haven't got with you 00:13:27.199 --> 00:13:28.079 in the same way. 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:35.920 Moses doesn't have to make a name for himself. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.940 God gives him a wonderful rap. 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:42.879 It's the Old Testament equivalent 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.580 of a New Testament well done 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.840 good and faithful servant. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.900 And so the question is, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.600 and it's God's question, 00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:58.060 why then were you not afraid 00:13:58.059 --> 00:14:01.079 to speak against my servant Moses? 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.959 And this is not a question, 00:14:05.099 --> 00:14:06.659 this is an accusation from God. 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:10.379 And we're told in verse 9, 00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:11.299 the anger of the Lord 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:13.299 burned against them 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.279 and he left them. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:20.919 And he didn't just make an accusation, 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:22.859 he left Miriam 00:14:22.859 --> 00:14:25.419 with leprosy like snow 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:28.259 and probably with something 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.719 like a white flaky skin disease 00:14:30.719 --> 00:14:31.779 all over her body, 00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:34.139 which would have been enough 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.979 to immediately make her unclean 00:14:35.979 --> 00:14:36.879 and unable to come 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:38.159 amongst the people of God. 00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:41.519 But it was probably 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.839 a threat to her life 00:14:42.839 --> 00:14:45.779 because Aaron just immediately 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:47.000 pleads with Moses, 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.000 please my Lord, 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.899 do not hold this, 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.740 hold against us the sin 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.519 that we have so foolishly committed. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:54.620 Do not let her be 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.939 like a stillborn infant 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:57.419 coming from its mother's womb 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.399 and with its flesh 00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.779 half eaten away. 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:05.199 It's quite a wonderful prayer. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:09.079 There's no ifs and buts. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.600 There's no excuses. 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:15.960 There's no blame shifting. 00:15:18.040 --> 00:15:19.620 There's corporate ownership. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:23.440 We, not she. 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.940 This is a sin 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:29.060 which we have foolishly committed. 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:32.560 Please don't let her rot away. 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:32.659 Amen. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:32.700 Amen. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:32.740 Amen. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:45.180 It's liberating 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:46.259 to confess our sins 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.240 in God's presence. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.480 To not have to hide 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.779 from what we are really like. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.600 To be set free 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:58.240 from games of pretense. 00:15:59.920 --> 00:16:01.159 Have you ever done it? 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.500 I have. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.940 And it is absolutely freeing. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.940 And I don't just mean 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:11.379 private confession to God 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.519 we're on our knees at home 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.559 telling him what we've done. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:16.379 But I mean going to the person 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:18.899 that you have offended against. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:25.039 And owning your own offence 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:25.679 against them. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.620 I am sorry 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:29.120 I did gossip about you 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.519 when I said that. 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.299 We read it all the time 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.740 from 1 John chapter 1 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.220 don't we? 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.879 If we confess our sins. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:43.340 God is faithful 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.019 and just 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.320 to forgive us our sins 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.220 and to cleanse us 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.639 from all unrighteousness. 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.360 Aaron owns his sins 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:54.019 straight away. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.939 It's not cheap forgiveness. 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.820 They do come clean. 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.439 They beg for mercy 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.080 from Moses. 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.099 And Moses 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.440 with great grace 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.819 and probably great love 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.500 for his sister 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.559 cries to the Lord 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.299 Oh God 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.319 Oh God 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.960 please help her. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.819 That could have been 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.259 a moment of power 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.480 for him couldn't it? 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.659 What can I milk 00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:18.579 out of this moment? 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:21.379 Oh God 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:23.599 please help her. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.799 Failure in confession 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.319 is a very humbling thing. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.619 It's good for our souls. 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.819 It's good for our relationships 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.720 with each other. 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:38.180 It's good for our relationship 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:38.779 with God. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.100 And God responds 00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:44.299 to Moses' intercession. 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.500 It seems like Miriam 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.759 probably was healed 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.299 straight away. 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:48.039 It's not specific. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.460 And then she was left 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.400 outside the camp 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.480 for seven days 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.559 while the whole nation 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.420 waited on her. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.259 A million people 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.100 waited for her 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:57.880 to go past 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:59.079 her period of cleansing. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:01.159 She had done 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:02.619 a disgraceful thing 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:04.639 but she was 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:05.619 completely forgiven. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.079 And you get 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.740 this picture 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.220 that God 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.879 the way that God 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.659 treats her 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:12.319 is a picture 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.059 that says 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.359 sin matters 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:17.039 but it's also 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.579 a picture 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.199 that says 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:19.000 that the grace 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.599 of God 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.899 is very large 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.480 indeed. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:28.079 there's something 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.039 else in this event 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.960 that is worth 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.460 noting. 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.000 If you read 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.700 through that passage 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.279 you will see 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.799 that Moses 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.920 does not speak 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.420 a word 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.420 except to say 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.220 oh God 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.660 please help her. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.059 He says 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.920 nothing to defend 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.400 himself. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:44.900 He speaks 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.660 no word of 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.019 rebuke 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.539 to Miriam 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.079 and Aaron. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.940 Verse 3 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.599 tells us 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.200 something 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.720 which is 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.339 enormously 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.120 significant 00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:53.240 Moses was 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.500 a very 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.460 humble man 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.980 more humble 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.960 than anybody 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.960 who had 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.600 ever lived. 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.360 You think 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:03.819 well what does 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.460 that mean? 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:04.940 What does 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.819 that look like? 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:07.660 Because 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.620 Moses was a 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:09.180 man who had 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.839 been used 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.460 by God 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:10.960 in many 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.819 extraordinary 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.620 moments. 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.700 He had 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.519 stared down 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:15.940 the king 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.460 of Egypt 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.140 while God 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.720 inflicted 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.720 his plagues. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:21.160 he had 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.600 raised 00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:22.400 his staff 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:22.860 over the 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:23.240 waters 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.640 of the 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.200 Red Sea 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.559 and the 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.000 sea had 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.420 parted 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:25.880 when God 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.339 parted 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:26.920 the waters 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.799 and more 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.220 than a 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.500 million 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.120 people 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:29.640 passed 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.019 through 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.620 on dry 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.160 ground. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.299 He had 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.700 had the 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.420 experience 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.420 of relating 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.039 to God 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.980 man to 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.339 man 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:40.059 face to 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.579 face. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.400 He had 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.259 had unique 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.000 experiences 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.660 of God 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.160 and his 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.660 power. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.240 He had 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.680 had the 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.240 adrenaline 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.819 rush of 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.099 seeing God 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.339 do 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.039 extraordinary 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.819 things 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:56.700 and yet 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.099 it says 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.619 he was a 00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:58.259 humble man 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.880 more humble 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:01.279 than anybody 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.819 who had 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.500 ever lived. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:08.059 The Hebrew 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.660 word which 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.380 is translated 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:09.940 humility 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.559 is used 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:10.940 in other 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:11.400 parts of 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.740 the Old 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.140 Testament 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.720 to mean 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.380 things like 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:13.799 poor. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.400 And 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:16.000 needy 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.940 and socially 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.799 weak and 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.759 afflicted and 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.619 humiliated. 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.579 And you 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.099 can look at 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.680 Moses from 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.480 another direction 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:24.859 and say 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.420 well Moses 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.240 is afflicted 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.640 and he's 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.559 humiliated by 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.059 his own 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.480 people. 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.220 He is 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.960 burdened and 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.380 he is 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.240 bowed down. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.720 And in 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.299 his great 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.960 moments of 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.539 power and 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:37.940 in his 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.599 personal 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.319 moments of 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.880 affliction 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.559 he is a 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.039 man whose 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.759 personal 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.920 ego is 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.759 submitted to 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.240 God's 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.579 will. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.299 Whether 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.700 it's a 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.379 high high 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:48.940 or a 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.640 low low. 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.180 So he 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.640 can walk 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.220 in glory, 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:55.940 he can walk 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.799 in humiliation 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:58.920 and he 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.440 is humble. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.279 He lives 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.900 in close 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.420 personal 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.099 relationship 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.819 with God 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.279 but with 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.960 his ego 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.839 in submission 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.519 to the 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.799 Lord. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:07.919 humility. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.819 I think 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.599 humility is 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.139 what lies 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:13.940 behind the 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.680 apostle Paul 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.460 saying in 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.460 Philippians 4 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:16.899 12, 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.779 I know 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.359 what it is 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:18.899 to be in 00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:20.500 need and 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.940 I know 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.480 what it is 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:21.839 to have 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.240 plenty. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.039 I have 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.879 learned the 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.500 secret of 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.259 being content 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.480 in any 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.500 and every 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.399 situation. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:34.180 I think 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.680 this is a 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.220 lesson for 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:36.480 me, I'm 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.019 still growing 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.360 in my 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:37.900 understanding 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.259 of this 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.640 but when 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.160 we think 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.140 humility 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:42.640 we as 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.200 Aussies I 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.740 think often 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.240 think of 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.880 somebody who 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.400 doesn't have 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.000 tickets on 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:48.580 themselves or 00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:48.960 who is 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.860 self-effacing, 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.759 a person who 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.700 deflects attention 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.280 away from 00:21:54.280 --> 00:21:55.019 themselves so 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.960 you've done 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.500 something that 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.140 people acknowledge 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:57.580 and say it's 00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:57.960 really great, 00:21:58.020 --> 00:21:58.560 oh no, no, no, 00:21:58.560 --> 00:21:58.900 it was nothing, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.420 it wasn't me. 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.000 But it's not 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.920 humility if we 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.680 crawl away into 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.320 a hole really 00:22:04.320 --> 00:22:04.780 wanting the 00:22:04.780 --> 00:22:05.220 glory on 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.740 ourselves. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.880 A humble 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.780 person gives 00:22:08.780 --> 00:22:09.500 glory where 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.480 glory is due. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.600 So for a 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:13.280 humble person 00:22:13.280 --> 00:22:14.000 God's glory 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.680 comes before 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.080 our own 00:22:15.080 --> 00:22:15.360 ego. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.340 If Christ 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:19.960 has gifted 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.880 you, maybe 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.960 in work which 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.560 you do or 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:24.520 ministry, work 00:22:24.520 --> 00:22:24.980 that you do in 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.840 your workplace or 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:26.480 work that you do 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.120 in ministry, 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:30.380 ministry, and 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:30.960 if he has 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.600 called you to 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.460 humble service 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.440 in those things, 00:22:34.560 --> 00:22:35.100 then give him 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:36.320 the glory by 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.060 using those 00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:38.580 gifts in his 00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:39.440 service and to 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:39.980 his glory. 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.680 Do them well 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:42.100 in his name. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:43.800 And maybe 00:22:43.800 --> 00:22:45.140 Christ has put 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.520 you in a 00:22:45.520 --> 00:22:46.620 lowly place, a 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.400 hard place, a 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:47.860 place of 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:49.540 suffering, a 00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:50.240 place maybe 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.759 where your 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.440 work is not 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.259 seen or 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.180 acknowledged by 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.020 anybody at 00:22:54.020 --> 00:22:54.280 all. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.339 home. 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.000 I still 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.240 think of a 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.779 young woman 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.379 working in the 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:01.920 kitchen at a 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.460 youth camp. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.980 Everybody wants 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.740 to do the big 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.379 high profile 00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:06.019 tasks, you 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.819 know, counsellor 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.759 to the kids or 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.180 speaker at the 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.859 youth events and 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.619 all those sorts of 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:10.980 things. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.759 And this woman 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.599 worked in the 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.599 kitchen in a 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:17.399 way that 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:18.359 wasn't just a 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.119 job to do, it 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.859 was the ministry 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.460 that she was 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.359 doing in serving 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.159 everybody at 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.699 the camp. 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.159 No personal 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.419 acknowledgement by 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.459 most, but one 00:23:29.459 --> 00:23:30.439 or two did see. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.179 And it says 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:32.619 heaps. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.779 She was 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.159 humble. 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:36.939 She served 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.339 Christ. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:38.099 She gave him the 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.819 glory in what she 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.339 was doing. 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.899 See, Miriam and 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.899 Aaron let their 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.799 pride run away 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.339 from them. 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.279 Now, they were 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.879 anything other 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.399 than humble. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:50.500 they made a 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.120 grasp for 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.180 recognition and 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.080 exalted themselves 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.180 when God was 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.259 clearly raising up 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.840 other leaders 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.500 around them. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.480 And they 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.440 exalted themselves 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.180 over God's 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.920 appointed leader, 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:01.500 Moses. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.120 Philippians chapter 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:06.019 two says in 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.860 verses three and 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:08.019 four, do 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.280 nothing, it 00:24:09.280 --> 00:24:09.880 says to us, 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.940 do nothing out 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.480 of selfish 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.460 ambition or 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.600 vain conceit, 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.400 but in 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.580 humility consider 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.299 others better 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.039 than yourselves. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.839 Each of you 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.500 should look not 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.119 only to your 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.740 own interests, 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.579 but also to 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.199 the interests 00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:26.099 of others. 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:28.639 And I think 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.059 one of the 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.460 things that 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.119 Philippians is 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.740 showing us is 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.740 that humility's 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.639 opposite is 00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:34.179 our own selfish 00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:35.199 ambition and 00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:36.099 vain conceit, 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.159 glory taken for 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:37.679 ourselves. 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.839 So life becomes 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.879 about me and 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:42.220 my issues and I 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.980 am always the 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.639 first one in 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.159 line for the 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:44.799 things I need 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.480 help with. 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:50.319 Aaron and 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.039 Miriam made a 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:51.680 grasp for their 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.559 own position and 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.180 place, two 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.880 ganged up on 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.220 three. 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.079 Moses was 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.500 different. 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:56.980 He put the 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.740 interests of the 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.500 nation ahead of 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:00.160 his own numbers 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.819 of times. 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.019 God even 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.759 offered at one 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.819 point to wipe 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.640 everybody else 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.579 out and make 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.140 him the head of 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.559 a dynasty, 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.339 start again with 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.880 a brand new 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.500 family and he 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.200 would be king 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.400 pin, top 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.759 dog. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.539 God and 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.279 Moses said 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:15.319 no because 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.759 he was 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.500 concerned for 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.200 God's name 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.859 and God's 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.519 glory if 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.180 God did 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.640 such a 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:19.879 thing. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.480 So humility 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:23.960 is not 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.519 selfish. 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.579 Humble men 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.140 and women 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.680 have their 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.579 egos submitted 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.220 to Christ 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.799 and to his 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.299 purposes. 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.680 When 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.279 Numbers was 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.640 written, 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.000 Moses was 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:37.519 indeed the 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.019 most humble 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.559 man who 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:38.960 had ever 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.259 lived. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:41.160 But 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.680 Philippians 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.379 goes on 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.480 to use 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.039 Christ, 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.579 not Moses, 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.079 as the 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.379 ultimate 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.079 humble man. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.200 Your 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.559 attitude 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.059 should be 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.660 the same 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.519 as that 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.019 of Christ 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.539 Jesus, 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.539 who being 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.000 in very 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.359 nature 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:55.799 God, 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.319 did not 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.779 consider 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.420 equality 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:57.980 with God 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.379 something 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:58.879 to be 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.400 grasped, 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.519 but made 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:01.960 himself 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.440 nothing, 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.220 taking the 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.859 very nature 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.220 of a 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.500 servant, 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.519 being made 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.259 in human 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.940 likeness 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.640 and being 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.180 found in 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.620 appearance 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:10.920 as a 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.200 man, 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.539 he humbled 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.480 himself and 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.840 became 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.580 obedient to 00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:14.960 death, 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.360 even death 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:16.820 on a 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:17.160 cross. 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.320 Christ 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:22.779 is the 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.240 ultimate 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.340 example of 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:24.799 humility. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.380 Christ 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:27.900 Jesus, 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.279 God 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.799 himself, 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.480 did not 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.320 assert himself 00:26:31.320 --> 00:26:31.759 or his 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.200 rights. 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:33.820 He did 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.480 not make a 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.580 shortcut grasp 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:36.220 for power. 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.220 God 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.720 said, 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:37.880 he could 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.019 have 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.539 called a 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.940 legion 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.460 of angels 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.039 to save 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.400 himself 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:40.799 from the 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.140 cross. 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:42.940 He 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.460 submitted 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.059 himself, 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.819 he yielded 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.460 his ego 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.140 in faith 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.660 and trust 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.000 to the 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.319 will and 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.720 purposes 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.120 of his 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:48.400 heavenly 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.860 father. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.559 My 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:50.960 father, 00:26:51.100 --> 00:26:51.620 take this 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.100 cup from 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.380 me, 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.039 but not 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.920 my will, 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.539 but yours 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.100 be done. 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.000 Father, 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.819 into your 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.440 hands I 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.059 commit my 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.480 spirit. 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:03.079 Christ 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.680 knew who 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.299 he was. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.539 He knew 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.000 who his 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.759 father was. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.759 He knew 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.140 what the 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.980 mission was. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:12.980 He did 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.220 not 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.860 accidentally 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.440 die. 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.960 He became 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.839 obedient to 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.160 death, 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.720 even the 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.400 humiliation 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.240 of death 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.620 on a 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.019 cross at 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.460 the hands 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.759 of the 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.259 people that 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:21.579 he had 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.000 made. 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:24.980 Christ 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.519 submitted 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.200 his own 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.819 ego to 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.299 glorious 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.380 purpose that 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:29.039 his father 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.879 would achieve. 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.539 And that 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.119 is why 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.279 in Philippians 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.740 2 it 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.220 says that 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.980 God exalted 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.619 him to 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.139 the highest 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:41.240 place and 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.879 gave him the 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.279 name that 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.680 is above 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.460 every name, 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.259 that at 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.839 the name of 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.700 Jesus every 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.420 knee should 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.119 bow in 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.819 heaven and 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.240 on earth 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.720 and under 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.259 the earth, 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:52.039 and every 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.940 tongue confess 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.599 that Jesus 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.579 Christ is 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.180 Lord to 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.579 the glory 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:55.940 of God 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.440 the Father. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:58.940 God 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:01.340 stood by 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.940 his man 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:03.840 and he 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:04.420 vindicated 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:04.720 him. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.059 God 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.640 stood by 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.279 his man 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.860 Moses 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.940 and he 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.580 vindicated 00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:08.980 him. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.360 We can 00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:12.220 be absolutely 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.200 confident that 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.840 if we will 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.960 humble ourselves 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.360 and submit 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.400 our egos to 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.059 the glorious 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.840 Lord Jesus 00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.460 Christ, 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.220 then he will 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.200 vindicate us. 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.580 A life 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.480 lived for 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.680 him will 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.339 never be 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:26.779 wasted. 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.140 1 Peter 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.819 chapter 5 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.319 says all 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.640 of you 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.019 clothe 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.539 yourselves 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.440 with humility 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.200 toward one 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:37.120 another because 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:38.059 God opposes 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:39.240 the proud but 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.099 gives grace to 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.599 the humble. 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.240 Humble 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.779 yourselves 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.579 therefore under 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.299 God's mighty 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:45.019 hand that he 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.740 may lift you 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.319 up in due 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.799 time. 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.339 Cast all 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:50.140 your anxiety 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.799 on him 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.539 because he 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.079 cares for 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.359 you. 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.199 God 00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:56.879 intervenes to 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.419 protect his 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:57.779 people. 00:28:59.699 --> 00:29:00.099 Humble 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.799 authenticity 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.639 is rightly 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.179 one of the 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:02.839 seven core 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.439 values of 00:29:03.439 --> 00:29:03.639 St. 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.139 Paul's. 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.019 Let me 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.559 finish by 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.179 reminding you 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:07.460 what it 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:07.839 says. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.039 As a 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.559 church we 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.039 seek to 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.819 declare war 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.480 on the 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.779 daily 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.319 tendency 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.839 towards 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.779 self-sufficiency 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.319 and the 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.039 desire to 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.339 live 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.059 independently 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.699 of God. 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.699 The 00:29:20.699 --> 00:29:21.259 promise of 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.720 God in 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.379 James 4 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.079 6 is 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.420 that he 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.740 gives 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.319 grace to 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.460 the 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:24.759 humble. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.400 We are 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.879 convinced 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.359 that no 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:28.799 effective 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.420 growth, 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.519 ministry or 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.039 mission 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.660 happens 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:34.220 without the 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.660 cultivation 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.680 of humility 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.299 in the 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.759 heart and 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.279 the weakening 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.180 of pride in 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.859 this life. 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:41.859 And we 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.819 therefore seek 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.799 our words and 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.640 actions to be 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.480 what we believe 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.700 and teach from 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.460 God's word. 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:50.420 brothers and 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.160 sisters you do 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:52.059 not need to be 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:52.940 a great one to 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.460 be humble. 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.400 It is a 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.259 wonderful thing 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.220 to submit our 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.819 egos to 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:59.340 Christ and to 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.039 walk in 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.680 submission to 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:00.980 him. 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.519 Amen.