My servant Moshe; he is faithful throughout My house

(Numbers 12:7) Tevet 20, 5776/January 1, 2016 "Not so is My servant Moshe; he is faithful throughout My house." (Numbers 12:7) These words, spoken by G-d , describing His prophet Moshe, are delivered at some point during Israel's forty year sojourn in the desert. G-d's praise for Moshe couldn't be greater: "My servant... faithful... My house..." G-d is testifying to His complete confidence in Mosheand to the depth of their intimacy. But when did this relationship begin? G-d first speaks to Moshe at the burning bush revealing His plan to liberate and redeem Israel, but Mosheis more than a little evasive in responding. He shows reluctance, skepticism, perhaps even pessimism: Who am I? why should Israel believe me? What should I tell them? What sign of proof will they accept? Why should Pharaoh believe me? Who are You? Who should I say sent me? Our sages learn from a careful reading of the Hebrew verse,"Moshe said to HaShem, 'I beseech You, HaShem. I am not a man of words, neither from yesterday nor from the day before yesterday, nor from the time You have spoken to Your servant, for I am heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue,'" (Exodus 4:10) thatMoshe actually argued with G-d for seven whole days at the burning bush before finally relenting! He demanded G-d's name, he demanded signs, he demanded a spokesman, he demanded a plan. G-d delivered to Moshe all these things, but Moshe was not an easy sale. Even later, when he saw the initial results of his first meeting with Pharaoh, Pharaoh's arrogance and the imposition of greater hardships on the children of Israel,Moshe returned to G-d with a searing question: "HaShem! Why have You harmed this people? Why have You sent me?" (ibid 5:22) Why was Moshe so reluctant to assume the role of deliverer that G-d was giving him? We have witnessed Moshe's own pain at seeing his brethren oppressed, and the incident in which he struck and killed the Egyptian slave-driver makes clear Moshe's desire to rescue his people. His coming to the aid of Yitro's shepherd daughters at the well in Midian is proof that his aversion to injustice and his instinct to help the helpless is as strong as ever. Why doesn't he want to take on this job? Actually, Moshe was ready to assume his new role as prophet, leader, deliverer and redeemer of Israel the moment G-d presented to him His plan in their meeting at the burning bush. Moshe understood all that this role would entail. He already knew from his past experience that Pharaoh was an unreasonable, cruel and paranoid tyrant, who sought to kill Moshe after Moshe struck dead the Egyptian. He already witnessed the outburst of ungratefulness and perfidy from Israel when he was confronted by the the Hebrew slave who said, "Who made you a man, a prince, and a judge over us? Do you plan to slay me as you have slain the Egyptian?" (ibid 2:14) So G-d has "seen the affliction of My people" and He has "heard their cry." He "knows their pains" and He"remembers" His covenant with Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. But does G-d really know what He is getting into? This is what Moshe is determined to reveal. Moshe's apparent reluctance, his constant raising of new obstacles, his doubts and vacillations were his way of testing G-d's intentions! G-d had to know that Pharaoh was not an easy man to deal with. G-d had to know that the children of Israel were a difficult, stubborn, demanding nation. This rescue plan that G-d shared with Moshe would not be nearly as easily accomplished as G-d made it sound. Moshe needed to know: Was G-d willing to go all the way? Was G-d willing to pull out all the stops, if necessary, to stand by Israel through thick and thin, good and bad, to get His hands dirty, so to speak. Moshe knew from the start that merely getting Israel physically freed from Egyptian bondage would not be enough to redeem the nation. He knew that G-d would have to form a covenant with His people, one that would oblige both parties. Moshe knew that G-d would not be able to shepherd and protect His people from afar: G-d would need to dwell among His people, to rest His Presence within their midst. Moshe knew that the people would demand no less. Moshe's question to G-d was simple: Are you ready? Are you ready for a relationship with Your people that will last through the end of time? Are you ready for a relationship with Your people who will, at times, disappoint you in the most painful and devastating ways? If you are ready, G-d , I am ready. If you are ready, G-d , I will see to it that the people are ready. If You are ready to risk it all for Your people, then I will guarantee that Your people are likewise ready to risk it all for You. The signs and promises G-d gave to Moshe were His bond. The time had come. G-d was ready. Moshe's protracted negotiation with G-d , his terms, his conditions, his demands, exasperated G-d at times, ("And HaShem's wrath was kindled against Moshe," ibid 4:14) but it was clear to G-d that Moshe's only concern was the good of his people Israel. It was Moshe's faithfulness to his people, his determination to deliver his people from Egypt and into the land of Canaan, which first informed G-d , as He declare years later, that"My servant Moshe; he is faithful throughout My house." G-d and Moshe saw eye to eye on this: A faithful servant of Israel is a faithful servant of G-d ; and a faithful servant of G-d is a faithful servant of Israel. Moshe is a faithful servant throughout G-d's House. And G-d's House will be established in the place He will choose, on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Moshe saw all this in his first appointment with G-d at the burning bush. He saw it and he received G-d's guarantee. And then he saddled his donkey and returned to Egypt, a lifetime of work awaiting him. -The Temple Institute