The Ultimate Virtue

What should I bring before the LORD when I come to bow before God on high? Should I come before Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the child of my body for my own sin? He has told you men what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:6-8 HCSB

Moses was certainly a virtuous man. There is much in him to admire and imitate. For one thing, he hated injustice. He defended a Jewish slave who was being beaten by an Egyptian overseer.[1] Shortly thereafter, he defended a group of Midianite shepherdesses from some bullies.[2]

Moses was diligent; he worked hard for his people from dawn until dusk and was not deterred by his exhaustion.[3]

Moses was courageous; he went up on the mountain when everyone else was afraid[4] and he actually stood up to an angry God at times![5]

Moses was forgiving. His sister, Miriam, was struck with leprosy for murmuring against him.[6] She had allowed her jealous pride to goad her into using a racist argument against his new Ethiopian wife as a pretext to speak against his prophetic gift and intimacy with God. When God punished her, Moses prayed for her healing anyway.

Interestingly, none of these virtues are mentioned specifically. They are all seen by example but none are explicitly stated except for one. “Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.”[7]

Isn’t it odd that with all his attributes, this is the only one that God chose to recommend to us? That is because humility is the source of all virtue, just as pride is the source of all sin. They are like magnetic poles. Pride repels the Lord and humility draws Him nearer.[8]

God is not interested in our rituals, pomp or circumstance. He doesn’t give a fig if we sing classic hymns or black gospel. There is nothing that we could ever offer that would be truly worthy of His glory anyway.

What He asks for is justice, faithfulness and humility. He finds these traits irresistible. A person who is interested in justice will find a ready ear when they come to Elohim in prayer. A person who is faithful will be given all the strength and grace they need at His hand. A person who humbly realizes their need not only for salvation, but for daily teaching, empowerment and guidance from the Lord will become like Moses[9] or Abraham[10] – a friend of God.

[1] Exodus 2:11-12
[2] Exodus 2:16-17
[3] Exodus 18:13
[4] Exodus 20:18-21
[5] Numbers 14:11-20
[6] Numbers 12:1-13
[7] Numbers 12:3
[8] James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6
[9] Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10
[10] 2 Chronicles 20:7