The Irony of Humility

This may seem random, but it's not =) I have been reading through Exodus, about the most humble man to ever live (other than Christ).

"Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth."
Numbers 12:3

I have often equated humility with insignificance. I mean, those with nothing to be proud about, must, by dfinition, be humble. On the other hand, I just assume that those who have the power, money, the esteem of the world, etc, though they may be kind to others, must still look down on others to a degree. Yet I have been finding that the Bible tells me otherwise.

Educated in the house of Pharoh, Moses still felt inadequate in addressing Pharoh as the mouthpiece of God. Though he saw God's glory (to the extent that man can see God's glory and live), while in the very presence of God, his response is to humbly interceded on behalf of his people:

And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. And he said, If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance. Exodus 34:8-9

I used to be amazed by the huge hig-rise apartment buildings in NYC. I would imagine stories about the hundreds of people who lived within their walls and think about how I was just a single person among millions and how blessed I was to be born in NY! Now that I live in a high-rise, I have a different perspective. In my own little apartment, I do not see the building or the people; all I see are the walls that confine me.

As I was thinking about this yesterday, it made me think of thoe whole issue of humility, as it relates to perspective. This has caused me to change my thoughts on humility. I think it has less to do with reality and more to do with our perception of reality. When I am the focus of my world, everything else looks pretty small, but when I see God and His creation for what it is, I am well aware of my own insignificance.

This was really made evident to me today. Suddenly met with an unexpected success, my first thought was "who am I to have done this?" The realization of my own insignificance, lack of experience and knowledge, truly humbled me. I cannot even imagine how Moses felt, when given the job of deliverer of the Israelites! For the first time, it made sense that he would be humble. Under that burden or responsibility, how is it possible to feel anything but humbled?