Bible Study - Special Lesson - Avoiding a Critical Spirit - Number 12:1-15 - May 28, 2023

 Bible Study – Special Lesson – Avoiding A Critical Spirit – May 28, 2023

This a special focus lesson. Our scripture is Number 12:1-15.

Guard your heart against criticizing others.

The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness and they got tired of eating the same food. The people got cranky. Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ brother and sister began to criticize Moses for marrying a Cushite woman. The Cushite woman was Moses second wife. As you recall Moses first wife was Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, the “the priest of Midian.” Zipporah bore Moses two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.

Never-the-less Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he married a Cushite woman, as we read in Numbers 12:1. We also we see in verse 2 possible jealousy between Moses and GOD. Be careful what you say because GOD is listening.

There were other things taking place. The Israelites were getting restless and tired of eating the same food most every day. There seemed to be a general wave of discontent among the Israelites.

It seemed that Miriam and Aaron were speaking out loud in hopes GOD would hear them and see that they were capable of leading the Israelites just as well as Moses. Let’s read on ------

Let’s read Numbers 12:1-3:

Miriam and Aaron Rebel

12 Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). ² They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does he not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard it. ³ Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.

We see in verse 3, that Moses was a very humble man, which probably means, when his sister and brother were speaking against him, and he would not defend himself. BUT WHO DID? GOD!

Miriam was challenging GOD and it backfired on Miriam and Aaron.

Be careful what you say about others. GOD is listening. GOD protects HIS chosen as most loving parents protect their child or children.

What did GOD do? Let’s read on ---

Let’s read Numbers 12:4-9:

⁴ Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So, the three of them went out. ⁵ Then the Lord descended in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward, ⁶ he (GOD) said: “Listen to what I say:
If there is a prophet among you from the Lord,
I make myself known to him in a vision;
I speak with him in a dream.
⁷ Not so with my servant Moses;
he is faithful in^[a] all my household.
⁸ I speak with him directly,^[b]
openly, and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.

 ⁹ The Lord’s anger burned against them, and he left.

Moses, Aaron and Miriam were the leaders. Moses was the one with whom GOD had a special relationship. Aaron and Miriam were jealous.

It was time for a family meeting. In the old days, if we were called to the wood shed, it meant punishment. In this case, GOD called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the “tent of meeting.” Why the “tent of meeting”?

It was because that is where GOD would meet them. This was GOD’S territory. This was a serious meeting.

The title of our lesson is “Avoiding a Critical Spirit.” Why is that vital when you are trying to get a million plus people through the wilderness and into the Promised Land? You need unity and one leader.

GOD had appointed Moses as the leader to whom HE would give instructions. In turn, Moses gave instructions to Aaron.

The use of the word “suddenly” shows the urgent need for a quick meeting to get things straight.

Do not let issues fester but deal with them before little issues become large issues.  

Notice, GOD called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the Tent of Meeting. Then, specifically Aaron and Miriam to come before HIM. GOD was direct and specific.

THE LORD/GOD and Moses had a special relationship. When we commit ourselves to GOD through faith in JESUS, we too have a special relationship with GOD. Getting to know GOD through faith in JESUS is a journey. It is much like going on a long, lifetime hike. We will encounter hills, mountains, valleys, rests by the still waters and the green pastures.

There will be rugged terrain and peaceful areas of rest and relaxation. 

When we study the life of Moses, we discover that his special relationship with GOD developed over time. The burning bush was a dramatic beginning. GOD got his attention through a burning bush that was not consumed. GOD turned Moses’ staff into a serpent and back into a staff. As openers. GOD desires for all of HIS Children to have an intimate, trusting relationships with HIM through faith in JESUS.

What is GOD’S message? GOD chastises HIS own and teaches HIS own.

The question each of us must answer is, what is our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS? There is no other choice any human has except placing his or her faith in JESUS.

Those who have been Spiritually born through faith in JESUS, have direct access to GOD their FATHER, 24/7. It is not cutting out JESUS but letting GOD know what is going on in their lives and that we need HIS help. The beautiful part is that HE already knows what we are experiencing, HE just needs us to know that we are being honest with HIM and we need HIS help.

GOD desires Spirit-born believers to come boldly before HIM.

Hebrews 14:16: ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Let’s read Numbers 12:10-15:

¹⁰ As the cloud moved away from the tent, Miriam’s skin suddenly became diseased, resembling snow.^[c] When Aaron turned toward her, he saw that she was diseased ¹¹ and said to Moses, “My lord, please don’t hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. ¹² Please don’t let her be like a dead baby^[d] whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”

A major turning point in our lives is recognizing that we have sinned against our LORD.

¹³ Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “God, please heal her!”

Moses’ sister had what appears to be leprosy, which was recognized immediately. Aaron turned to Moses. Notice, Aaron addressed Moses as “My lord!” GOD had spoken to Aaron and Miriam but HIS message had resonated with all three. In essence “Moses has favor with ME, regardless of who he has married. Moses is my chosen person.”

¹⁴ The Lord answered Moses, “If her father had merely spit in her face, wouldn’t she remain in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.” ¹⁵ So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was brought back in. ¹⁶ After that, the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

When they moved again, their leadership was in unity.

It is vital in any organization that it moves in unity. This is most especially true of a church and Christian organizations and homes.

Is there unity in our church, home or business?

Blessings!!!