CRITICIZING GOD'S LEADERS - MIRIAM (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) It is dangerous to criticize God's leaders. Consider the consequences for men and women who do such a thing in the Bible.
b) Here is one of them.
1. Person
a) Miriam.
2. Situation
a) Mocked Moses because he had an Ethiopian wife.
3. Result
a) Striken with leprosy.
4. Reference text: Numbers 12:1-15
5. What is the text all about?
a) Since Miriam and Aaron could not find fault with the way Moses was leading the people, they chose to criticize his wife. Rather than face the problem squarely by dealing with their envy and pride, they chose to create diversion from the real issue. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone's character. If you are unjustly criticized, remember that your critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Don't take this type of criticism personally. Ask God to help you identify the real issue and deal with it.
b) Aaron asked that the sin he and Miriam committed not be held against them. It is easy to look back at our mistakes and recognize their foolishness. It is much harder to recognize foolish plans while we carrying them out because somehow then they seem appropriate. To get rid of foolish ideas before they turn into foolish actions requires eliminating our wrong thoughts and motives. Failing to do this caused Miriam and Aaron much grief.
c) Spitting in someone's face was considered the ultimate insult and a sign of shame imposed on wrongdoers. The religious leaders spat in Jesus' face to insult him (see Matthew 26:67).
@1. 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands. (Matthew 26:67 NKJV)
d) God punished Miriam for her smug attitude toward not only Moses' authority, but also God's. He struck her with leprosy, then ordered her out of the camp for a week. This punishment was actually quite lenient. A week was the length of time she would have been excluded if her father had spat in her face. How much more she deserved for wronging God! Once again, God was merciful while retaining an effective discipline.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) It is dangerous to criticize God's leaders. Consider the consequences for men and women who do such a thing in the Bible.
b) Here is one of them.
1. Person
a) Miriam.
2. Situation
a) Mocked Moses because he had an Ethiopian wife.
3. Result
a) Striken with leprosy.
4. Reference text: Numbers 12:1-15
5. What is the text all about?
a) Since Miriam and Aaron could not find fault with the way Moses was leading the people, they chose to criticize his wife. Rather than face the problem squarely by dealing with their envy and pride, they chose to create diversion from the real issue. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone's character. If you are unjustly criticized, remember that your critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Don't take this type of criticism personally. Ask God to help you identify the real issue and deal with it.
b) Aaron asked that the sin he and Miriam committed not be held against them. It is easy to look back at our mistakes and recognize their foolishness. It is much harder to recognize foolish plans while we carrying them out because somehow then they seem appropriate. To get rid of foolish ideas before they turn into foolish actions requires eliminating our wrong thoughts and motives. Failing to do this caused Miriam and Aaron much grief.
c) Spitting in someone's face was considered the ultimate insult and a sign of shame imposed on wrongdoers. The religious leaders spat in Jesus' face to insult him (see Matthew 26:67).
@1. 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands. (Matthew 26:67 NKJV)
d) God punished Miriam for her smug attitude toward not only Moses' authority, but also God's. He struck her with leprosy, then ordered her out of the camp for a week. This punishment was actually quite lenient. A week was the length of time she would have been excluded if her father had spat in her face. How much more she deserved for wronging God! Once again, God was merciful while retaining an effective discipline.
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