Numbers 12
Miriam and Aaron have become a bit jealous of their brother Moses' authority and standing in the community. I guess they just don't quite understand how heavy the burden is that he was wrestling with in the last chapter. They're busy rumbling (that would be gossiping) about Moses and trying to tear him down. First, it's the Cushite woman he married that they try to use as a mark against him. Then they point out that the Lord also speaks to them, so why would Moses be elevated above them...
Jealousy rarely gets us anywhere except in trouble. Trying to usurp the authority that God gives to one, only ends in disaster. When God chooses, God chooses. It's not for man to overrule God.
God's a bit angry because they questioned Moses' right to authority and His right to decide who should be entrusted with His whole house. He's a bit angry with them for gossiping about the one whom He has called and turns Miriam leprous.
Aaron apparently begs for Moses' mercy fast enough. Moses, the humble man he is, begs God to change His mind about punishing them for their disrespect. Aaron does not become leprous and Miriam is destined to only seven days, rather than a life-time outside the camp. But, for the jealousy, the gossip of the two, the whole camp pays. They must stay put in that place until Miriam is brought back into camp. Seven days are not spent journeying to the promised land, but waiting for Miriam to complete the consequences of her sin. Their mission is stalled for seven days. They wait for the issue to be resolved.
I note this waiting seven days, because I'm not much on waiting around for a mess that someone else created to be fixed. I'm getting better at it as I've had lots of practice. Seems like over the years, I've spent a lot of time waiting to get something done and sometimes never getting it done simply because too many people have control issues. They want to be in charge (usually because they have their own agenda) and in coveting that position, they step all over someone else - usually someone who is much humbler than themselves. The gossip starts... and when the gossip starts, trouble starts in the congregation and the community, shutting everyone and everything down. Mission comes to a standstill. Strife begins and intervention is necessary. Unfortunately, I am not as good an intervention specialist as God is and it can take a bit more time than seven days to end the problem and continue with mission.
Not sure why there always has to be jealousy, control issues, strife... It would just be very nice, much more fruitful, if we could learn to use the gifts that God gives to each of us together, so that mission could continue and God be glorified.
Miriam and Aaron have become a bit jealous of their brother Moses' authority and standing in the community. I guess they just don't quite understand how heavy the burden is that he was wrestling with in the last chapter. They're busy rumbling (that would be gossiping) about Moses and trying to tear him down. First, it's the Cushite woman he married that they try to use as a mark against him. Then they point out that the Lord also speaks to them, so why would Moses be elevated above them...
Jealousy rarely gets us anywhere except in trouble. Trying to usurp the authority that God gives to one, only ends in disaster. When God chooses, God chooses. It's not for man to overrule God.
God's a bit angry because they questioned Moses' right to authority and His right to decide who should be entrusted with His whole house. He's a bit angry with them for gossiping about the one whom He has called and turns Miriam leprous.
Aaron apparently begs for Moses' mercy fast enough. Moses, the humble man he is, begs God to change His mind about punishing them for their disrespect. Aaron does not become leprous and Miriam is destined to only seven days, rather than a life-time outside the camp. But, for the jealousy, the gossip of the two, the whole camp pays. They must stay put in that place until Miriam is brought back into camp. Seven days are not spent journeying to the promised land, but waiting for Miriam to complete the consequences of her sin. Their mission is stalled for seven days. They wait for the issue to be resolved.
I note this waiting seven days, because I'm not much on waiting around for a mess that someone else created to be fixed. I'm getting better at it as I've had lots of practice. Seems like over the years, I've spent a lot of time waiting to get something done and sometimes never getting it done simply because too many people have control issues. They want to be in charge (usually because they have their own agenda) and in coveting that position, they step all over someone else - usually someone who is much humbler than themselves. The gossip starts... and when the gossip starts, trouble starts in the congregation and the community, shutting everyone and everything down. Mission comes to a standstill. Strife begins and intervention is necessary. Unfortunately, I am not as good an intervention specialist as God is and it can take a bit more time than seven days to end the problem and continue with mission.
Not sure why there always has to be jealousy, control issues, strife... It would just be very nice, much more fruitful, if we could learn to use the gifts that God gives to each of us together, so that mission could continue and God be glorified.
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