IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Lord Upholds Moses’ Leadership

Date: Mar. 1, 2022

Passage

Numbers 12:1-16 (ESV)

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed.

10 When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” 13 And Moses cried to the LORD, “O God, please heal her—please.” 14 But the LORD said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut outside the camp seven days, and after that she may be brought in again.” 15 So Miriam was shut outside the camp seven days, and the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again. 16 After that the people set out from Hazeroth, and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 12:8

With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

In this passage, Miriam and Aaron are spiritually proud and envious. They use ethnically-charged language about Moses’ non-Israelite wife to speak out against their brother. They envy Moses’ unique spiritual position. In contrast to his arrogant siblings, Moses says nothing. He is described as the most humble man on earth. To be criticized and denigrated by those closest to us is painful. How we respond reveals our humility and faith before God and others.

The LORD defends Moses. He states that Moses is not an ordinary prophet; the LORD speaks to Moses face –to-face. No one except Moses is allowed to see the LORD’s form. The LORD is angry with Miriam and Aaron. Their attack on Moses is a direct affront to the LORD’s authority and sovereignty. In response, the LORD afflicts Miriam with leprosy but heals her after Moses prays and a week-long quarantine.

Real sin in spiritual leaders must be dealt with swiftly. But criticizing and opposing spiritual leaders or their families from a place of pride, self-righteousness, and envy angers God. Instead of complaining or being divisive, pray for the spiritual leaders whom God has placed over you (Heb 13:17).

Prayer: Prayer: Father, please forgive my pride. Help our spiritual leaders to be faithful and bless many.

One Word: One Word: Pray for the spiritual leaders among us

Daily Bread

“my God, My God…”

Mark 15:33-47

Key Verse: 15:33

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Intro Daily