god takes offence

​This morning, let’s open up with this interesting statement made by God.
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​“Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?” (Numbers 12:8)
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In this encounter, God calls forth Aaron, Miriam, and Moses to His meeting place – the tent of meeting. When the three of them arrived, they were greeted by God’s presence in a form of a pillar of cloud, which stood in front of the door at the tent of meeting.
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Then God proceeded to call forward, Aaron and Miriam, so He could clearly identify who He was directly addressing. And then, speaking directly to Aaron and Miriam, God says.

“Hear now My words” (Numbers 12:6).

Then God proceeded to make a clear distinction between not only the role, position, and authority between Moses and his siblings – Aaron and Miriam. But God clearly describes how He chooses to interact and reveal matters to Moses in comparison to how He communicates and interacts with Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12:6-8).

Why did God take such an aggressive step in dealing with Aaron and Miriam before Moses? Verse 8 reveals why God responded in this manner. It reads
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“Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?

god takes offence

In the court trial that God brought against Aaron and Miriam before the assembly that He formed, God took great displeasure in the actions of His prominent leaders, Aaron and Miriam. They both were in disagreement concerning a matter relating to Moses. Instead of addressing and handling this matter through the proper channels. (See Matthews 18:15-17). The two excessively grumble and complain about Moses among themselves.

Before looking at how God dealt with such conspicuous and treasonous acts by Aaron and Miriam. Let’s look at what kind of complaint the two of them had against Moses.

At Numbers chapter 12, verse 1, the Bible shows us that Aaron and Miriam had an issue with Moses because of his wife who was of Cushite descent. Based on their grievances against Moses, this led to the two of them questioned who God appointed as an authority figure over them. (Compare to 1 Corinthians chapter 12). They questioned whether God was only speaking and giving instructions through Moses (Numbers 12:2). The two of them said
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“… Has the LORD indeed SPOKE ONLY through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?”

Then verse 2 ends with this statement.

​“And the LORD heard it (Compare to Hebrews 4:14).

It was shortly after God heard the criticism spoken by Aaron and Miriam concerning His servant Moses that God called a meeting before His place of assembly with Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. 

god responDS to the co-conspirators

So, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were all standing before the presence of God at the tent of meeting. God opens up by stating His case against Aaron and Miriam. Then, after announcing the charges against them, God had to decide whether to pass judgment on the two co-conspirators. Notice how God decides to handle this case against His servants, His leaders.

Verse 9 says – so the anger of the LORD burned against them….

God was hot, mad with the behavior of Aaron and Miriam concerning His servant, Moses. And immediately after His Spirit departed from before the three, Miriam was struck with leprous [Numbers 12:9-10 (compare to Psalm 5:4)]. 
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what can we learn from this event

There is so much we can learn from this dispute and dissension that took place between Moses and his brother and sister – Aaron and Miriam. But to fully receive all you can learn from this account; you should read the entire story for yourself. However, here are a few points I will like you to walk away with from this experience. 

1. We have to be mindful that God took such a strong and defensive position on Moses' behalf against Aaron and Miriam because (1) the position God Himself had placed Moses. We have to realize that Moses did not self-appoint himself in the role he had over God’s people. Go back to the book of Exodus and read the account at chapters 3 and 4. We clearly see that God personally selected Moses to be in the role he was in. A position Moses did not sort out for or was appointed by man or a role he self-appointed himself. His role, title, position, and authority were by divine providence and appointment. With that being said, God will certainly defend those He has appointed in their rightful roles. So, God was obligated to come to the aid of Moses when his authority, position, title, and role were being attacked. But keep this in mind. God was not necessarily defending Moses per se. God was defending His decision concerning Moses (Exodus chapters 3 and 4).
 
(2) We also have to take into account Moses’ nature. God did. God’s perspective of Moses persuaded Him even more so to come to Moses' aid when his character and authority were being questioned. At Numbers 12:3, this is what was said concerning Moses.
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“Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was in the face of the earth.”

In God’s eyes, Moses was an honorable man that was worthy of defending. Here are some other points we can learn from this courting hearing against Aaron and Miriam.
 
2. It is never wise to complain and murmur against righteous leaders. Please hear me out. I am not talking about leaders who call themselves righteous. I am only referring to those leaders WHO GOD CALLS HUMBLE, AND MEEK, AND GOOD, AND RIGHTEOUS. There is a difference. 

3. When we unrighteously speak against, murmur, complain, or gossip about others, GOD WILL HOLD IT (account it) AGAINST US. All unrepented backbiting, gossiping, or evil use of words spoken about another person without God instructing you to speak thus saith the LORD concerning a person, or group, or entity is a violation of the principle stated at Galatians 5:16-26. And therefore, is a sin. To which, God must account for and respond to. He did in the case of Miriam and Aaron. In fact, there must have been something in the heart of Miriam that was not present in Aaron’s heart based on how severely God decided to discipline Miriam. She was struck with leprous once God exited the court hearing concerning the two. 

This definitely is a warning for us as we walk into this next season of Church history. 
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4. God could have dealt with Aaron and Miriam’s sin against Moses privately. But instead, God brought Aaron and Miriam before the presence of His Godship and Moses, His chosen authorized vessel. Why did God decide to handle this matter in this way? Well, He could have been simply following the principle stated at Matthew 18:15-17. But I think it goes even deeper than that. I believe God wanted to show and reveal to Moses what his brother and sister were doing, how they were plotting concerning him behind his back. While at the same time, God could have been testing Moses’ character. Maybe God wanted to see how Moses would respond to this form of betrayal and treasonous act. When someone as close as Aaron and Miriam are disloyal and deceitful toward him, can he still apply the godly principle stated at Matthew 5:44 – love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Or, would he boast about how God disciplines those who attempt to double-cross him? What kind of man would Moses show himself to be in such a challenging situation he found himself in?
 
5. Although we did not read this portion of Scriptures in this post. But I do think it is worth mentioning this next point here. 

Notice how both Moses and Aaron responded after Miriam was struck with leprous.
 
After acknowledging his error, his wrong behavior. Aaron turns to Moses and says,

“I beg you, do not account this sin to us, in which we have acted foolishly and in which we have sinned. Oh, don’t let her be like one dead, whose flesh is halt eaten away when he comes from his mother’s womb!”

Aaron acknowledged his sin and not only repented. But he repented to the one he caused harm toward. In response to Aaron’s plead on behalf of Miriam and himself, Moses cries out to the LORD.

“O, God, heal her.

​The one who was the target of an attack, the victim of Aaron and Miriam’s insults. Did Moses retaliate, or spoke evil in return, or celebrate and boast when God disciplined Miriam with leprous? No, instead, Moses prayed on Miriam’s behalf. He pleaded for Miriam’s restoration.
 
How did God respond? After Moses’ requests, God politely reminded Moses how sometimes a father (an earthy father) must discipline his child in accordance to their unrighteous act. As a result, the child must experience the full penalty of their sin. That is the consequence of his or her sinful actions. Therefore, even though God may forgive them of their sin and extend mercy and grace to a person. That person most likely will still feel the full efforts of the consequences of his or her sinful action (Number 12:14-15). We like to call it karma.
 
I strongly believe we are entering in the days of what has been illustrated for us in this situation between Aaron and Miriam and their brother Moses. I believe we are about to see an accounting for our actions and even words on a level that we have never seen in this generation, but only have read about in God's Word.