Numbers 12-May 9
Chapter 12 offers us a very interesting addition to the subject of the devotion yesterday. Valuing the glory of God requires us to be humble, not thinking too highly of ourselves. This humility is pleasing in the sight of the Lord but, from a worldly perspective, it also seems to leave us vulnerable. After all, if God can use anyone and my role is not mine alone in the kingdom then why should those who are sinful respect or value me at all? The beautiful truth we find in verses 1-9 is that while we are not to elevate ourselves, God is able and willing to fight for us when we have been wronged or disparaged.
You remember that yesterday Moses’ stated desire was for all of the Lord’s people would prophesy. In short, Moses desired that everyone speak divinely illuminated truth on behalf of God. While Moses’ desire was for the people to join him in bringing God glory, God’s desire was for the people of Israel to love and respect Moses. It is certainly true that leaders can be replaced, but it is equally true that God appoints leaders for our good and that those leaders deserve our respect and honor. In fact, the Bible contains many verses regarding the importance of respecting leaders. For instance, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” It is God’s plan to institute leaders amongst His people and it is His command that they be honored and respected.
However, this charge given by God to His people to honor and obey their leaders is not always respected. In fact, often God’s people are guilty of attempting to usurp the God given authority of their leader. This is what took place in Numbers 12 as we learn about God’s dealings with Aaron and Miriam. Aaron and Miriam were people of authority in their own right. Aaron of course is the high priest who represented the people before God and Miriam his sister is called a prophetess in Exodus 15:20 as she led the nation of Israel in praise. While they had their own places of authority and usefulness, verse 2 makes it quite clear that they were not satisfied with their callings. Instead of giving thanks for their own levels of influence, they bitterly attacked Moses position in an attempt to equate their authority with his.
This account provides for the reader an instructive contrast between the attitude of Moses in chapter 11 and that of Aaron and Miriam in chapter 12. Whereas Moses desired for others to be utilized more in bringing glory and honor to God, Aaron and Miriam chose to attempt to bring a leader down in the eyes of the people in order to glorify and honor themselves. Brother and sister, when you and I try to make ourselves look better by publicly questioning the position or power of another we always dishonor and tarnish our God and the glory He deserves.
It is God’s glory that motivated Moses and it is God’s faithfulness that saw Him through even the most difficult of circumstances. In this case, God once again proved to be faithful as He severely reprimanded both Miriam and Aaron while afflicting Miriam with a dreadful disease for a season. The lesson for the reader is simple, God does not look kindly upon those who attempt to dishonor or discredit His appointed leaders. Also, what God promised Moses all the way back in Exodus 14:14 is true for every believer who obediently follows the Lord today. It may seem to the world that humility makes us weak, but in reality we have the Almighty God in our corner. What could be better?