Refrain From Criticism

 

Numbers, chapter 12.

My bible calls this chapter, “The complaints of Miriam and Aaron.”

Miriam and Aaron were the siblings of Moses.  And they most certainly should have been the ones with whom Moses was safe with.  The ones who supported him and encouraged all that God was doing in and through his life.

But it wasn’t.
Not now.

Scripture tells us that, “While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a cushite woman.”  (verse 1)  While we can’t be certain why this was the case, we can surmise that perhaps these siblings perceived Moses’ marriage as a threat to their status and ambitions.  It is certainly possible that Miriam and Aaron disapproved of this marital union with a non-Israelite, or that they were somehow intimidated by her influence over Moses.

Either way - they allowed their anger to get the best of them, and retaliated against him.

Again, scripture tells us that they, “criticized him.”

And it’s strange to me that their “come back” to Moses for what they were inciting as a “disgraceful union”, was to say out loud, “Has the Lord spoke only through Moses?  Hasn’t He spoken through us, too?”  (verse 2)

Then the bible tells us that, “The Lord heard them.”

It’s interesting to note, that in verse 3 in my bible (the NLT), it adds this side note about Moses, (“Now Moses was very humble - more humble than any other person on earth.)”  Wow.

Scripture continues, “So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, 'Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!’ So the three of them went to the Tabernacle.”  (verse 4)

Here is what the Lord said, addressing only Miriam and Aaron in the presence of Moses, “‘Now listen to what I say: ‘If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with My servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as He is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?’”

I can’t imagine.

And there would be punishment for Miriam (likely because she was older and likely was the instigator in the feud.)

And scripture tells us that God might have destroyed her completely had it not been for the graciousness of Moses to beg her to be pardoned.

And she was.

But I am still so struck with that one line… “why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”

It should have felt like an abomination.
It should have scared them to even think of condemning another so loved by God.
It should have broke their hearts at the mere thought of belittling of disrespecting one appointed by God.

In fact, it sounds painfully familiar here in a tough political season.

And if nothing else… if we can’t fathom an ounce of consideration for a God-appointed servant, then should it not be the fear of God alone that causes us to never criticize another?  Simple, yet powerful reverence for the Father?

It should.

And if it doesn’t, we should ask why not.