It is always fascinating to see how people react when they are “backed into a corner” or find themselves in tough circumstances. It is true that trials, suffering, and “wilderness” -like experiences bring out the worst in all of us. In this passage we don't just see a questioning of leadership; we see much more. We see the sin nature rising to the surface as a group of people become frustrated, tired, hungry and disillusioned. We also see a leader, who despite being undermined, continues to show compassion for the very people attacking him.
As you approach this passage, reflect on times in your life when circumstance or stress brought out the worst in you. Maybe you were having a hard time at work and returned home only to take out that stress on your spouse and family. Maybe an unknown future formed by a loss of job or opportunity led you to question your purpose. As a result you try and blame others or force your way into an opportunity to achieve purpose. Whatever the case, let's not be too quick to pick up our “pitchforks” against Miriam and Aaron.
Numbers 12:1-16
1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this. 3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) 4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” 9 The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them. 10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous —it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.” 13 So Moses cried out to the LORD, “Please, God, heal her!” 14 The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back. 16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Why were they so concerned with Moses marrying a Cushite Woman?
+ What's the difference between how God speaks to a prophet and how he speaks to Moses?
+ At what moment did Aaron start to realize the sin they committed? Why do you think it took this instance to bring them to the reality of their sin?
+ Why do you think the Israelites stayed in their location and waited for Miriam to return?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Jealousy is some of the fruit that Aaron and Miriam were displaying towards Moses.
+ What do you think thier jealousy was rooted in?
+ Is there an area of jealousy, or discontentment, you have towards another believer?
+ What can you do today to begin the process of being set free from those thoughts?
+ How quickly are you to seek unity & reconciliation rather than revenge when someone hurts you?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ To whom can I show the love of Jesus today?
+ Like Moses, Is there a relationship in my life that I need to soak in forgiveness in order to breathe reconciliation and display the love of Jesus?