“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”
— Numbers 12:3 (NIV)

That’s quite a statement, isn’t it? The man who confronted Pharaoh, led millions of Israelites through the wilderness, and stood face-to-face with God… described as the most humble person alive.

So what does that kind of humility look like, and how can we live it out today?

The Scene: When Moses Was Criticized

In Numbers 12, Moses’ brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, began to question his leadership. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t He also spoken through us?” (Numbers 12:2)

It was jealousy, comparison, a subtle attempt to pull Moses down.

Now, if most of us were in Moses’ shoes, we’d feel the need to defend ourselves, right? To prove our worth. But Moses didn’t say a word. He didn’t argue. He didn’t retaliate. He simply let God handle it.

And that’s when Scripture inserts that powerful line:

“Moses was the most humble man on the face of the earth.”

What Humility Really Means

In Hebrew, the word “humble” (ʿānāw) means lowly, teachable, and yielded to God’s authority.

It doesn’t mean weak. It means strong enough not to need to prove yourself.

Moses had power, but he used it under God’s direction. He led millions, yet constantly turned back to God for instruction. He faced rebellion, but he didn’t let pride lead the response.

Humility isn’t self-hatred or insecurity. It’s confidence properly placed,in God, not in self.

Jesus: The Greater Example

Centuries later, Jesus embodied the same kind of humility Moses foreshadowed.

“Though He was in the form of God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”
— Philippians 2:6–8

Like Moses, Jesus didn’t need to prove His greatness. He simply lived it through surrender, obedience, and love.

How to Walk Humbly Like Moses

So what does this look like in our everyday lives?

1. Let God Defend You.
   When people misunderstand or criticize you, resist the urge to fight back. Let your character and God speak for you.
2. Stay Teachable.
   Moses constantly sought God’s voice before making decisions. True humility stays curious and dependent, not self-assured.
3. Serve Without Spotlight.
   Moses led from the shadows. He didn’t seek fame, only faithfulness. The humble heart finds joy in obedience, not recognition.
4. Trust God’s Timing.
   Humility waits. It doesn’t rush to make things happen. Moses spent decades in the wilderness before leading Israel out of Egypt.

The Heart of It All

Humility isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. It’s choosing surrender over self-promotion. It’s living like Moses,strong enough to stay silent, steady enough to let God be the one who vindicates you.

Because in the end, humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself. It’s about thinking of yourself less, and trusting God more.

When your confidence is rooted in Him, not in proving your worth, you’ll find peace, power, and purpose just like Moses did.