They were both strong women, and thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s probably what caused their feud. Before it was over, one lost everything: her family, her home, her health.
In truth, that feud was an excuse for something much deeper. Jealousy.
The two women were sisters-in-law. One woman had married the other womanÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s brother. That man is described in the Bible as the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œmeekest man on the face of the earth.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ (Numbers 12:3)
Does that sound familiar? Was it:
- Aaron?
- Jacob?
- Moses?
- Daniel?
If you donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t know, take a guess, and I will give you this hint; the answer will surprise you. Now, go ahead and make your choice.
The answer is number three, Moses.
Moses is not the brash, outspoken leader you see in movies; Hollywood scriptwriters might have missed a few verses of Scripture. In addition to being the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œmeekest man on the face of the earth,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ God also tells us that when He appeared to Moses in the burning bush and asked Moses to speak for Him, Moses was timid. Moses said he couldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t do it. So, God sent his brother Aaron to help Moses. (Exodus 3 and 4)
Getting back to the two feuding women, they are Miriam, MosesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ sister, and MosesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ wife, Zipporah.
Remember Miriam?
Oh, I bet you do.
SheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s the little girl sent to watch over baby Moses when Moses was placed in a basket in the Nile. That was when Pharaoh was scared of the increasingly large number of Hebrews in Egypt and decided to kill the newborn males.
In the wilderness, after GodÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s people fled Egypt, Miriam became a prophetess. Then, one day, this grown-up Miriam spoke out against her brother for marrying a ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCushiteÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ woman. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s true, GodÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s people were supposed to marry only within the Israelite faith.
Many believe the Cushite woman was MosesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ second wife. His first wife was Zipporah, whom heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d married after heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d fled Egypt the first time, after murdering an Egyptian.
However, the prophet Habakkuk suggests that Midian and Cush were the same place, so the Cushite woman could have been Zipporah.
Either way, Miriam criticized Moses because of his wife. Whether she was a Cushite or Midianite didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t matter ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” neither was an Israelite. In fact, Zipporah almost caused MosesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s death when she objected to their son being circumcised ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” a must-do with God for the Israelites. (Exodus 4:24-26)
So, it appeared that Miriam started this fuss over her sister-in-law and used GodÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s command to support the fight. Miriam basically decided that she was the one better fit to lead GodÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s people. She brought her younger brother Aaron along in her grab for power.
Miriam said to the people, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHas the Lord spoken only to Moses? HasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t He spoken to us as well?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ (Numbers 12:1-2)
Immediately, this angered the Lord, Who said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCome out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Lord then came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent. He asked Aaron and Miriam to come forward.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhen there is a prophet among you,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ God said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant MosesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ I speak mouth to mouthÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ and he beholds the form of the Lord.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
God wasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t finished. He went on to say, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhy then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Lord was very angry with them and then departed. But when the pillar of cloud lifted over the tent, Miriam was leprous like snow ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” a disease that eats flesh. (Numbers 12:1-10)
What did Moses do? Remember, she was trying to replace him.
Moses cried out, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œPlease, God, heal her!ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
God listened but decided that Miriam had to be punished. She was shut out of the camp for seven days. And, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll tell you, she didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t check into the Marriott. Those were seven cold, hungry, scary days. Finally, she was healed and brought back.
This story should be burned into the memory of every Christian. Be careful of jealousy. It can happen anywhere, even inside the church.
When you announce what Scripture says, what you decide God wants, what you push forward among the faithful to get your way, expect to bring the wrath of God down upon you as Miriam did.
Discovering what God wants requires submitting yourself humbly in prayer. Wait for His leading. Otherwise, you may find yourself fighting against God.
Remember MiriamÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s story before you speak your mind.
