Monday: It’s Contagious
Read Numbers 12:1-3. What are Miriam and Aaron upset about?
Ostensibly, Miriam and Aaron were unhappy about Moses’ Cushite wife. Zipporah was an outsider hailing from Midian (see Exodus 3:1). Even among Israel’s “elite,” the fallenness of our nature is revealed, and not in a very pleasant way either. (Is it ever?)
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The biblical text, however, clearly shows this to be a pretext. The main focus of their complaint is about the prophetic gift. In the previous chapter God had told Moses to appoint seventy of Israel’s elders who would help Moses carry the administrative burden of leadership (Num: 11:16, Num 11:17, Num 11.24-25). Aaron and Miriam had been playing key leadership roles, as well (Exodus 4:13-15, Micah 6:4), but now they felt threatened by the new leadership development and said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” (Num: 12:2).
How does God respond to this complaint? Read Numbers 12:4-13. Why do you think God responds so decisively?
God’s response is immediate and leaves no room for interpretation. The prophetic gift is not a weapon used to wield more power. Moses was well suited for leadership because he had learned how extremely dependent he was on God.
The fact that Miriam is mentioned before Aaron in verse 1 suggests that she may have been the instigator of the attack on Moses. At this time, Aaron is already serving as Israel’s high priest. If he had been struck with leprosy, he would not have been able to enter the tabernacle and minister on the people’s behalf. God’s punishment of Miriam with temporary leprosy communicates vividly His displeasure with both of them and helps bring about the attitude change that this family needs. Aaron’s plea for her affirms that he, too, was involved (Num: 12:11), and now instead of criticism and restlessness, we see Aaron pleading for Miriam, and we see Moses interceding on her behalf (Num: 12:11-13). This is the attitude that God wants to see in His people. He hears, and He heals Miriam.
| Though it’s always easy to be critical of church leadership, at any level, how much better would our church and our own spiritual life be if, instead of complaining, we would intercede in behalf of our leaders even when we disagree with them? |
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If there is one thing we have learned from the Covid-19 situation, it is contagious; particularly the delta variant that we are currently battling. Many of us have had to change our lives. We wear masks, we wash our hands, we disinfect our shoes after going out, and we avoid handling things in public places. It's a bit rough when you get an itchy nose when you are out and you want to scratch it. You have to stop and disinfect your hands before you scratch!
There is a parallel between the contagiousness of disease and discontent and perhaps we can learn a lesson from our current disease situation. We need to understand the difference between constructive criticism and restless selfishness. It is a little too easy to be infected by the virus of murmuring and become part of the discontented crowd.
Paul has some advice we can use when we feel the contagion of criticism coming on:
We need to examine our motives and disinfect ourselves with the example of Jesus to avoid being contaminated with the virus of discontent.
One of the most challenging tests in life is to have a sibling seem to become more successful than you. We all remember first hearing of Miriam as the protective older sister. It was Miriam's quick thinking that suggested to Pharaoh's daughter that baby Moses could be nursed by his own mother. Then Miriam watched as her brother grew up in the lap of luxury in the royal household of Pharaoh. Miriam watched her little brother rise to greatness.
Both Miriam and Aaron held high positions among the children of Israel. Miriam was distinguished as a prophetess above all the women, and Aaron had been designated by God as the high priest, the spiritual head of the nation. But as they looked at the elevated position of Moses, Miriam and Aarom became envious. They wanted to be equal with Moses.
Num 12:1-16
What were the differences between Miriam and Zipporah?
Blood, skin color, experience, influence.
These are areas where I could image conflict arose, where Miriam felt she was superior to Zipporah.
Miriam was a descendant of Isaac while Zipporah was only a descendant of Midian the 4th son of Abraham's second wife.
Zipporah had a darker skin than Miriam.
Miriam had saved Moses from the Nile river and help her mother look after him in his early years, she had been with him throughout the dangerous Exodus while his wife had stayed safely at home.
Miriam was one of the leaders of Israel, in her eyes equal to Moses and Aaron, how could this nobody and her father have more influence over her brother and the people than she did.
With whom was she really unhappy? Zipporah? Moses? The LORD?
The LORD read her mind and revealed her thoughts, that by critizing God's anointed servant she was critizing Himself. His response was to remove His Presence from all of Israel, give her a really white skin and excommunicated her from the people so she had no influence at all.
What is the Principle we can learn from this narrative. How does it apply to leaders in our or other communities of faith? Should leaders be held to a higher standard? What did Paul and Peter teach us about respecting the Elders who care for and guide the members?
Interesting account of what amounts to the first description of frank racism in the Bible. God's response to it demonstrates that he has a serious sense of humour when he alienates Miriam in the same way she tried to do to Moses' wife.
God turns Miriam's skin so white it resembled the macerated skin of still born child. Shame for Miriam as the prophetess disappears from the biblical account until she is mentioned when she is buried. The love of self and its self importance creates unrest and jealousy as it did with Cain and before humans with Satan. This type of unrest will be the stumbling block for many Christians.
Winsome On you just said my mind. Thanks
Although the church may be living at a "laodiceans pace", God's work has always been sacred! Let everyone of us examine ourselves with fervent study of the Word and prayer, before we criticize our church leaders! May our attitude be of positive help, instead of negative and destructive! Let us buy "gold" and claim for the Holy Spirit rain on us!
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Prov 10:12
It’s Contagious
Understanding the scriptures, Israel had a pattern in their life. The bible noted every time the nation stop for any reason in the wilderness, the people became restless. Restlessness led them to commit great sin which led to and death/near death.
In our times, are we the present day Aaron and/or Marian? Do we behave the same when one of our family members or church member choose a Christian who does not look outwardly like us or our family/church member? I don't see no pretext in the text and their discontent. The text is clear.
Encourage all to read Patriarchs & Prophets ch 33- From Sinai to Kadesh
From Sinai to Kadesh
Lyn, the quote from Ellen White is interesting - it was not really how Zipporah looked but the group or nation to which she belonged that upset Miriam.
How often in our churches are there cliques or the 'in-crowd'. At one church I attended there were a group that we 'outsiders' called 'the kissing cousins' because they greeted only each other with a kiss, they were the majority on the board so basically ran the church. Even at lunches and social events they spent their time together. The rest of us felt ignored even though we all looked the same as the 'in-crowd'
As mentioned actually both Miriam and Zipporah were descendants from Abraham, although Zipporah was not part of the "chosen people". How do we treat people who don't belong to our group, church, area, country? What does Paul point out - Act 17:26-27 MKJV And He has made all nations of men of one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth, ordaining fore-appointed seasons and boundaries of their dwelling, (27) to seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him, though indeed He is not far from each one of us.
In a word, Miriam and Aaron were concerned about their own reputation, being void of that meekness and lowliness of heart that Moses had learned to exhibit. His Cushite wife was a red herring for the most part, which their jealousy used as a weapon for their cause. Aaron was a somewhat reluctant participant with Miriam, and demonstrated again how easily he could be manipulated against his better judgment.
God's decisive response was for the benefit of Miriam, Aaron, the entire congregation, which would eventually erupt in jealous revolt against Moses and Aaron, and for those "upon whom the ends of the world are come", which is us today. We might call this a “shot over the bow”.
Matt 18 gives us the pattern to follow when there is question concerning the direction and method of our leaders. We are to trust the Lord above ALL others, while “endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace”. Any effort to correct a matter must be “in the spirit of meekness”(Eph 4:2,3, Gal 6:1).
Robert, to add to this, Moses true character shines through when he, the one they were murmuring about, intercedes in behalf of his “big sister”, the instigator of the murmuring. I believe this settled the question for all, why God had chosen Moses.
You make a great point Karen, for this was Moses "singing" that song the redeemed will sing before the Lord(Rev 15:3), which they must first learn here. It is the meek who will inherit the earth.
When God confronted Aaron and Miriam he didn't even mention Zipporah. He "cut straight to the point" I chose Moses! Who are you to condemn him whom I have chosen?! Anytime I, we, feel a need to "judge" someone we would be wise to stop and question motives. I have to remember God looks at my heart. The story of Cain is a prime example. God investigated Cain's motives behind his offering and was not pleased with what he saw. We, especially with the leaders of God's people, would be wise to check ourselves before we criticise whom God has chosen. Interesting to me also is that as soon as God struck Miriam with leprosy, they besought Moses to intervene on their behalf! The same person they were jealous of. Which to me says Aaron and Miriam knew that Moses deserved his position over them. Moses without hesitation interceded for them with God. I honestly have to admit that would not have been my response. At least not at first. A lot of good parallels to my life to consider and apply.
How Zipporah "looked" is tied to the group or nation to which she belonged.
"Cliques, in crowds", yet ANOTHER unfortunate form of racism that is still very present in church structure today. Father forgive us.
Since it was the Hebrews who were recently slaves, many scholars believe Miriam was actually accusing Moses of raising his nose to the Hebrew women by marrying a free black woman.