Text: Numbers 12: 1-10
And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian
woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not
spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon
the face of the earth.)
And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto
Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they
three came out.
And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of
the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the
LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him
in a dream.
My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark
speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were
ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
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.
Moses, the man chosen by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and in the wilderness, has one peculiar character that endeared him to the heart of God. “The man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (vs. 3). Humility is indeed great strength before God. Even when Moses out of frustration by the Israelites contravened God's command, and was refused entrance to the Promised Land, he still has God's presence with him till the end. It is this same humility of Moses that Miriam and Aaron tried to abuse. They bell: spoke against Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman (which perhaps will have been pardonable if they had spoken with love). They also went further to question Moses' leadership authority in a rebellious manner. God had to intervene and Miriam was punished with leprosy for seven days.
Humility is a great virtue which anyone willing to be used by God must possess. Even though God spoke with him face to face, Moses did notgo about boasting about that. We can also see that rebellion against humble servants of God is rebellion against God Himself and God will always rise to the occasion. This is because God would not want such to be found amidst His pe0ple; and possibly because He knows His humble servant will not take laws into his hands; as we see that Moses even prayed toGod to heal Miriam.
Beloved, mark that humble servant of God, chosen by God to lead; and relate with him in godly wisdom and respect. Offer constructive advice, but do not undermine or question his authority.