Radical Faithfulness

"Radical Faithfulness"

Introduction: As I have gotten older I've had the opportunity to think a great deal about ministry in general and I have come to the conclusion that the single most important thing is faithfulness; not ability, or talent, or position, or anything else. Faithfulness is first on my list because I have come to realize and appreciate the truth that faithfulness is first on God's list too and what's important to Him ought to be important to us too! In our text we have a statement by Jehovah Himself that says everything that we need to know about how God feels about this subject. There are three things that I gleaned from the text we are considering this morning. First, it's important to set the scene for what is said. Moses is the undisputed and unchallenged leader of the children of Israel, at least up to this point. In our text we learn that Moses sister Miriam and brother Aaron decide to challenge Moses and God intervenes on Moses behalf. Let's read the text:

Numbers 12:1-16

Numbers 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. 13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. 16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

Hebrews 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Hebrews 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

What do we learn from the Scripture? First, we learn that Moses was a:

I. Faithful Servant -- His Character

God refers to Moses as His servant...who is faithful.

a. A faithful servant is attentive to the words of his Master

In verses 6-8 God speaks about this aspect of His relationship with Moses.

b. A faithful servant adheres to the words of his Master

But it is not enough to hear for Moses was obedient to his Master.

c. A faithful servant acts on the words of his Master

Moses spoke to the people as a herald for Jehovah. He delivered God's Word to them, even when it was difficult.

The second: God refers to Moses as His servant...who is faithful...in all Mine house. This means that Moses was also a steward.

II. Faithful Steward -- His Conduct

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

a. A faithful steward recognizes the authority of his master

Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.