In the book of Numbers we come across what must have been one of the most difficult moments of leadership in Moses time, bearing in mind that he had already faced many challenging moments in his leadership journey.

Here’s the context.

The spies he had sent into the Promised land have now returned and the majority of them have reported how difficult it will be to take the land. Only two of them believe that they can do it. In Numbers 14 we hear the peoples reaction to the report.

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? ” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt. ” Numbers 14:1-4

I can’t imagine the pain Moses must have felt in this moment. He was a reluctant leader in the first place, but he stepped up and did what was asked. He served his people well and led them through through a challenging time with faith and humility. Then, as they are on the verge of their inheritance, he hears this reaction to the challenge ahead!

I would have been devastated! We even hear the people are discussing killing him for bringing them to this point. You can imagine that Moses would be ready to pack it all in at this moment and walk away.

Interestingly, God gives him that opportunity.

…..Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” Numbers 14:10b-12

I would have been very seriously tempted to accept the Lords offer. All these people who have missed it would be wiped out and would get to start again with my own people, my own family! Sign me up! But once again Moses shows his quality and how he is thinking about something bigger than his own position.

Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, LORD, are with these people and that you, LORD, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. If you put all these people to death, leaving none alive, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, ‘The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ Numbers 14:13-16

Moses is more concerned with the Lords reputation and the legacy of His people. He is prepared to lay his own glory aside in order to see the Lords purposes prevail. The Lord does forgive the people, on Moses’ request, for their despair and doubt but the result is that this generation don’t get to inhabit the land that was promised to them.

Nevertheless I am blown away by Moses’ commitment to the people and the purpose entrusted to him.

I have much to learn about leading with legacy