Jealousy Numbers 12

 

Numbers 12 - Jealousy

 

“And they said, Has the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?  Has He not spoken also by us?  And the Lord heard it. This is Aaron and Miriam complaining and being jealous of Moses’ relationship with God.  God tells them it is He that chooses the prophets.  Also, He says that Moses is greater than the others – he is faithful in all My house.  God says that He deals differently with him than with any other prophet. He speaks with Moses directly. God appeared in dreams to Abraham.  He appeared in dreams to Joseph.  But God dealt with Moses face to face.

“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”  Deut. 18:18.

Because of Miriam’s jealousy, Miriam became leprous which was God’s severe judgment on her. Moses prayed to the Lord for her – how forgiving and gracious Moses was! Although God healed her, she had to be shut out from the camp for seven days, and the people could not journey while she was out of camp.  Aaron was not struck with leprosy because he was God’s High Priest.  If he were a leper he could not serve in that capacity; Israel would have had no intercessor to stand between them and God. It was Aaron who pleaded with Moses.  The judgment was caused by the jealousy in both, but Miriam was the leader in it.

If you are in leadership, expect criticism, even from your family. Moses did not defend himself, he waited for God to act. If we defend ourselves, we may be hindering the Lord from defending us. The sin of criticism is far more serious than most people realize.  Let us turn to God when we are criticised.  He sees, He knows, He conquers.  He is our great defender.

 

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.