“I speak to him face to face, directly and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as He is. Should you not be afraid to criticise My servant Moses?” – Numbers 12:8 (NLT)
As a young girl, Miriam helped save the infant Moses, Israel’s future deliverer. As a prophet, she exhorted and encouraged God’s people and led the singing of the first psalm ever recorded in Scripture (Exodus 15:21). Yet, strong though she was, she, like all of us, sinned against God and suffered a punishment designed to bring her to repentance.
Miriam and Aaron stood with their brother Moses to lead the children of God, but because of jealousy, they criticised and challenged him, implying that God had spoken through them as well. They clamoured for an equal share in his authority and an equal say in how to lead the people (Numbers 12:1-2). As a result, Miriam was struck with leprosy for her pride and insubordination and denied entry into the Promised Land.
Miriam’s account in the Bible offers an extraordinary example of God’s willingness to forgive those who sin. Though she had to pay the consequences for her actions – seven days of exclusion from the camp and from all those who loved her – she reentered the camp a forgiven woman.
Such liberating forgiveness is also available to us. God looks with judgement at our sin, waits patiently for our repentance, and then eagerly offers His forgiveness and acceptance. We reenter fellowship with Him renewed, clean, and forgiven. Our repentance turns a legacy of judgement and punishment into a legacy of forgiveness and worthiness before God.
Perhaps Miriam and the nation needed a shocking rebuke to recognise the seriousness of a sin that threatened the unity of God’s people.
However, before criticising someone, we must pause long enough to discover our motives. Failing to do so can bring disastrous results. Are you willing to question your motives before you offer criticism? Does the critical finger you point need to be directed first toward you?
Prayer
Father, thank You for always showing me my shortcomings and loving me enough to discipline me. Help me be quick to repent and see my sin. Thank You for allowing me to experience the joy that comes from receiving Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Micah 7:18; 1 John 1:9
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 119:17-24; 1 Thessalonians 5; Jeremiah 25:15-38; Jeremiah 26