And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses, because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, for he had married an Ethiopian woman. Numbers 12.1 Dear Lord, thank you that you are a protective father. And because you are a protective father, I know that if there is any speech that is trying to rise up against me, you will silence it. thank you that when it comes to my reputation i don't have to fight the battle on my own or try to prove myself to another instead i will keep my integrity intact i will continue to move and operate in love because i know that at the end of the day you are for me in the same breath i will ask that if the same mindset that came upon aaron and miriam tries to descend upon my mind that you would silence it. I choose to live my life with honor, humility, and holiness, and because these are my pillars, I will honor anyone in a position of power, even when we don't see eye to eye. Through this simple truth I know that when my time comes, you will surround me with the right people who will honor my position and authority. I will not forget that honor is the key to elevation in your kingdom. These truths I will hold near to my heart. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for an incredible Bible story brought to you by BibleInAYear.com. Click the link in the description to grow closer to God. There, you'll find daily prayers, Bible plans, sleep stories, and so much more, all on the Pray.com app. Click the link in the description to get started. This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Defying Moses In our last story, we saw the people of Israel grumble to God about food, and God made a point. Their constant complaining and ungrateful spirits drove Moses to the end of himself, and God appointed 70 men to relieve Moses of his burdens. In this story, we learn about jealousy rearing its ugly head in the hearts of Miriam, Moses' sister, and Aaron. The jealous hearts of Cain seek to strike once again, but God would not allow it as inspired by the book of Numbers. I'm so glad you joined us on the Bible in a Year podcast today. But before we get to today episode I want you to know that I would absolutely love to send you my daily devotional that will give you fresh encouragement every single morning and day From the moment we wake up to the moment our head finally hits the pillow there are thousands of things demanding our attention. But it's in the midst of all this crush and hustle and bustle that you and I need peace and truth in God's Word. That's why I want to help you spend time each day growing in God's life-giving, life-changing Word by sending you my free daily email devotional, PowerPoint Today. So visit jackgram.org to sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's jackgram.org, jackgram.org. In yesterday's episode, we saw how the needs of the Israelites overwhelmed Moses, and he was burning out, and yet he goes to God for help. God gives him a plan and appointed 70 men to help lighten the load and to take care of the problems and the perplexities of leading such a great nation. We also saw how God judges the people for their ungrateful hearts and their lack of trust by sending a plague. God was demonstrating that though he was the provider and would always protect them, that he would bring punishment to correct or discipline his children. Today, we'll revisit a theme that's come up many times in Scripture. Sibling rivalry, from Cain and Abel to Joseph and his brothers, is a problem almost as old as mankind. We'll hear how Moses' siblings, Miriam and Aaron, turn against Moses and how God deals with their attempt to usurp his leadership. Now, let's hear today's reading. Banterous whispers could be heard in the dead of night. Miriam, Moses' sister, and Aaron spoke silently, but with intensity. They gossiped, grumbled, and complained about their brother Moses marrying an Ethiopian. For whatever reason, Miriam boiled with anger towards Moses' wife. Yet the true heart behind her distress was revealed in her words. Does God only speak through Moses? she whispered, doing her best not to be heard by anyone else. He has spoken to you, me, and plenty others here. Aaron agreed with Miriam, having been both jealous and embarrassed by Moses's faithfulness and favor. They validated one another's words. Their hearts had been gripped by an evil that once took over the heart of Jacob's sons towards Joseph years ago. As they spoke to others, their dishonor for Moses increased, and they began to sow subtle doubt among the people. Though Miriam and Aaron were keeping a low profile, God could hear every word of it. Petty. Childish. God looked upon Miriam and Aaron with disgust. He would not tolerate leaders driven by jealousy and contempt. Moses was a meek man His humility often overshadowed his strength as a leader Therefore it was up to God to reprimand his siblings As Miriam and Aaron were scheming amongst each other, a cloud of smoke descended upon the tent of meeting. The air shifted, and the warm breeze turned into a sharp and frigid wind. Come out, the Lord shouted. He beckoned Moses forward and forced Aaron and Miriam out from the shadows. God spoke to Miriam and Aaron as a shepherd would to wolves. His anger emanated from the cloud as he said, Hear my words and listen carefully. When I speak to my prophets, I come to them in dreams and visions. This is not so with Moses. He is faithful, and I speak to him clearly. plainly, and with no riddles. You should fear speaking about him the way you have. You should tremble at the very thought of mistreating him. God truly spoke as a protective father, and his anger was kindled against the two of them, and the cloud of smoke disappeared as quickly as it came. Silence fell upon them as they sat in the tent. Moses could not look them in the eyes. He tilted his head to the floor, heart aching from the betrayal of his closest friends. Moses closed his eyes, thinking about what he would say next. He had never had a way with words. What would he say now? As he was thinking, he heard his brother gasp. Moses lifted his eyes and saw Aaron's face in shock as he looked at his sister. Miriam's face had become white as snow, and her skin began to peel off her face. Miriam shrieked and cried out in pain as her entire body began to rot. Pieces of flesh peeled from Miriam's face like paper, and her fingers began to fall off one by one. Aaron watched as his sister became riddled with leprosy. Unable to look any longer, he turned to Moses and shouted, My lord, do not punish us. Her flesh is half eaten away. Aaron cried with his face to the floor in front of Moses. Moses was just as sickened as Aaron. He shivered at the sight of Miriam, whose teeth had been dangling from her open mouth. Oh, God, Moses shouted. Please heal her, please, Moses begged. So God did as Moses requested, and Miriam lived outside the camp for seven days. God allowed her to live with the outward display of her inward character. After she had healed, she rejoined them, and the three continued to lead the people together. Today's episode begins, as acts of treachery often do, with whispers. Miriam and Aaron the very sister and brother of Moses are jealous of his position envious Why should he get all the credit for hearing from God they said to themselves and then to others They were undermining the man that God Almighty had chosen to lead his dear people. Surely their whispers were heard throughout the camp. Moses himself may not have heard them, but God did. And the reality is that when someone tries to undermine one that God has called to lead his people, it's like an attack on God himself. And that will not be tolerated. So God summons Moses and his siblings to the tent of meeting and made it very clear. Moses was set apart different from all the others. Their attempt at comparing themselves to Moses would not be taken lightly. God asked why they, knowing that Moses was chosen by God himself, had spoken against him. This is a reminder for us today to be very careful how we speak of those who God has called to lead. In the book of Acts, we find a story of a Pharisee named Gamaliel who understood this. When some of the apostles were arrested for preaching the gospel of Christ, Gamaliel advised those in charge to let them be. If they were not from God, they would soon be gone. But if they were from God, defying them was a dangerous, treacherous move. It could mean they were fighting against God himself. That's what Miriam and Aaron were doing by undermining and criticizing Moses. They picked a fight with God. God turned to them in anger and struck Miriam with a horrible leprosy. Her skin began to peel away. Yet Moses, once again demonstrating compassion and grace even to those opposing him, intervenes and asks God to spare her. Because of Moses, God determines to let Miriam live, and she survives. She is required to live outside the camp for a week, but then is restored to the community and they move on, continuing their journey to the promised land. And when we see them next, they will arrive at Canaan. Dear God, thank you for this story, which reminds us that you call people to leadership roles for a reason, and we are to respect and follow those that you've put over us. Help us to support rather than undermine those you have called to serve you in leadership positions. In Christ's name, amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. And before we go, I want you to know that I would love to send you my daily devotional to give you fresh encouragement every single day. So visit jackgram.org to sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's jackgram.org. If today's reading moved you, the Pray.com app is where you can go deeper with daily prayers, Bible plans, and more. Download it free. Link in the description. This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
