Putting word pictures to biblical exhortations …

A few decades ago, I think more kids then than today occasionally wondered what it would be like to grow up to become the President of the United States, or have some significant position of leadership.

Today, far fewer people would want the job of President, even if it was given to them. Just thinking about all the nonsense a President has to deal with that is heaped on top of the real, staggering responsibility, stirs a person to just cringe and say, “No thanks!”

Imagine, then, being saddled with Moses’ job.

Has there been a leader who had to deal with a more rebellious and stubborn people in a leadership position than Moses?

And yet, we read in Numbers 12:3 that he was the most humble of men: “(Now Moses was very humble — more humble than any other person on earth).”

In addition to his great humility, I think Moses was a much better teacher than he would have given himself credit for. Knowing it was soon time for him to die, he did a final round of teaching with the people he had served as leader for 40 years. To make sure they understood what he was saying, he didn’t just provide them with statements; some of what Moses communicated were simple, yet highly effective word pictures.

For example, Jesus would teach us what the second most important command of God is, as record in Matthew 22:39, “A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

And the Apostle Paul would teach us through his writing, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too,” Philippians 2:4.

Now look at how Moses, in a humble and very practical way, conveyed these concepts to the people of Israel:

“If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner. If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. Do the same if you find your neighbor’s donkey, clothing, or anything else your neighbor loses. Don’t ignore your responsibility. If you see that your neighbor’s donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!” Deuteronomy 22:1-4.

One more from Moses, just a few verses down from those above: “When you build a new house, you must build a railing around the edge of its flat roof. That way you will not be considered guilty of murder if someone falls from the roof,” Deuteronomy 22:8.

Jesus and Paul — the greatest of teachers and a great teacher — help us with direct statements, and Jesus was a master at painting word pictures. Moses also helped his audience by painting a vivid word picture or description of what loving your neighbor, and thinking about the best interest of others, actually looks like. Can you picture in your mind what these teachings mean in practical application? Do you see how Moses painted a picture of what such concepts mean in practical, everyday living?

Is this what your life as a disciple of Jesus resembles?

Scotty