In Numbers 12:3 we read about Moses being the meekest man on the face of the earth. How did Moses get to be like that, was he born meek, raised to be meek or did he learn to be meek? We read in Exodus chapter 3, that as God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, God says, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Though Moses was drawn towards God there was only a certain level of closeness that was unavailable before the shoes needed to be removed. We read in Ruth 4:7 that the taking off of one’s sandal or shoe was a symbol of submitting to or confirming a legal transaction, the yielding of one’s rights to the legal requirements.
At this time Moses did not understand all that God was about to ask of him, yet in hind-sight we know that Moses is about to move ahead into the next phase of his life. He was about to become a leader of a nation, and to move into his calling and purpose in life. Note that the yielding of our rights is necessary before we receive our people to minister to, the personal calling, and the destination (which speaks of our end plan or goal).
Yielding our rights means that our expectations of rewards and our areas of entitlement must be laid down and given to The Lord. As one examines the life of Moses you will see that he lays down his rights to defend himself (Num. 12), his right to a good name or reputation (Ex. 5:20,21; Ex. 6:12 ), his right to “be right” in the eyes of others leaders (Exodus 10:28). At times it seems like God is willing for us to seem foolish and unlearned before others so that our trust would be in Him (1 Cor. 1:26-31). Of course compared to the high standard of our Lord, we actually are foolish and unlearned so why should it bother us if others treat us the same way.
Yielding our rights to God is the start of the walk of meekness. Jesus says, “blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Take a moment to think about what rights, privileges or sensing of entitlement do you need to yield to Your Lord and Saviour? Now in prayer yield these areas unto Him.
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