2. THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. Miriam complains .

MIRIAM SPREADS GOSSIP.

The murmuring has now worked its way up to the highest leaders.

See Chapter 12.

Moses’ own brother and sister contentiously questioned his Leadership.
AARON was already the High Priest, and MIRIAM was Israel’s Prophetess.

Here we find another reason for
murmuring. They both possessed the spirit of “Jealous Pride.”

They wanted a higher position, to be equal in leadership, and to be equal to Moses. This issue is sad, as Miriam was a gifted Prophetess and Arron a chosen Priest.

She was Moses’s Safe-Guard when he was floating on the River Nile.

After the miracle of crossing the Red Sea, she danced and sang praises to the Lord using the Timbrel. What a marvellous privilege was hers.

But her need for popularity and recognition rose above God’s chain of command, and Arron, due to his insecurities, was easily influenced.

The complaint was not Moses’s choice of a wife but rather their choice to control his personal life.

‘freedom to choose.’

See Moses’s greatness. There is no self-vindication and no trace even of resentment. Imagine the emotional wounds he bore.

See verse 13. Speaking of Moses.

“His gentleness makes him great.”

“His meekness is his majesty!”

In verses 4-10, God stands with him. The Lord questioned them, not Moses, as they expected. We all should be as sweet as Moses, who was meek and lowly of heart.

So God vindicated dear Moses and admonished them.

“Were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

They could not answer a word.

God’s judgment fell on the rebels. Immediately, Miriam becomes a leper!!

Hansen’s disease ( Leprosy) is an infection caused by a slow-growing bacterium called “Mycobacterium leprae”

It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and nasal lining (nasal mucosa).

Early diagnosis and treatment can cure the disease today, but not then. In the New Testament, only Jesus Christ could heal Leprosy.

Imagine how Miriam felt?

She was sick, so very sick! She had full-blown leprosy. The whole camp was awe-struck!

Note: It’s a grave sin to speak against a faithful servant of God. To his face or behind his back.
Men of God, such as Your Pastor. The Christian’s absolute safety is to leave him to God. “God guards the man He calls to service.”

He will vindicate or correct that man.

Notice Moses’ forgiving spirit. He prayed for Miriam, and she was healed. What a relief for someone who was carrying such a horrible death sentence.

Let us learn from this incident ..

The Lord said, “You mumble against Moses, whoever you mumble against,
You mumble against me.”

That applies to us today.

Let us learn an important lesson from the experience of Aaron and Miriam.

Don’t judge or be opinionated about your Leadership, Christian Brothers, and Sisters.

“BLESS AND CURSE NOT!”

Pray …

“Set a watch, oh Lord, over my mouth!”

In other words.

“Heart? Get right with God.”

“Mouth, shut up!”

Amen.