When division occurs among Believers, often this same pattern appears.
1. A false offense
Num. 12:1-2 “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.”
2. A secret sin
“And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?”
3. An omniscient God
“And the LORD heard it.”
LESSON - People think that they are better at hiding their true motives than they actually are. Here we see Miriam’s jealousy on display as revealed in V2. For the spiritually proud to acknowledge their jealousy is not proper amongst very “religious” people. Therefore, a much smaller offense is amplified in order to make the offense seem justified. However, the proud tend to forget that God sees all and knows all. Notice Moses’ Biblical response and God’s just chastisement.
V9-10 “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.”
V3, 13 “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth...And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.”
V14 “And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.”
If we identify more often with Miriam, we must realize that God sees our actual motive and we should expect God’s chastisement if we choose not to repent. Sadly, our sin often hinders the work of God because the distractions divert the church from the primary task. V15 “And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.” Instead, we should seek to emulate Moses who was identified as a meek, loving, prayerful man whom God found faithful. V7 “My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.” Strive to be a godly uniter rather than a selfish divider!
~Mike
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