MOSES: FAMILY TENSIONS

Moses was the younger brother of both Miriam and Aaron, but God had chosen Moses to be the great leader who led Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land. God had not forgotten Miriam and Aaron during this journey; according to Micah 6:4, both of them were also chosen by God to be leaders in their own right within Israel. But…………

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) (Numbers 12:1 – 3)

At the beginning of Numbers 12, we are told that Moses had married a Cushite woman. Most commentators agree that it seems likely Zipporah, Moses’ first wife, had died and that he had now remarried, bur unfortunately it seems that neither Miriam nor Aaron related well to their new sister-in-law, for whatever reason.

Now, many families have their difficulties with at least one extended family member, and for the sake of family unity, perhaps we say nothing. However, in Miriam and Aaron’s case, they believed Moses marrying the Cushite woman to be a poor decision, so much so that it raised questions in their minds that Moses was no longer to be the Great Leader many considered him to be, but was fallible. Miriam and Aaron began considering together that they were just as good leaders as Moses, so why should they not be elevated to the same status as Moses?

What can this story say to us today, as brothers and sisters in God’s church?

1)     Avoid gossiping (v1). Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29) Whatever the motivation, gossiping tears down the individual; it is devoid of any positive benefit, and leaves us feeling angry and upset.

2)     Talking negatively about any leader is heard by God (v2). Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers…. (Psalm 141:3). In all our conversations, we need to be careful what we say, because God is “listening in”.

3)     If we believe we have just cause to confront our leader(s) about some aspect of their personal life and/or ministry, we should do this privately.  Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1, 2)

4)     If we are aware that someone is gossiping behind our backs, our attitude should be to emulate Moses who was the most humble man on the earth. Just like oil calming troubled waters, so humility has a powerful effect against hostility. Allow God to deal with the situation (Numbers 12:6 – 15)

5)     We are all individuals with particular giftings and talents. Since we are unique, it is pointless to compare ourselves with others around us, nor try and elevate ourselves when we identify some perceived failing or weakness in another. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else…. (Galatians 6:3, 4).