Speaking Against Moses

Numbers 12:1-16

INTRODUCTION:  One of the most difficult things in dealing with spiritual leaders is knowing how to deal with them when you believe they are wrong.  As usual, there are two extremes: you can blindly follow a leader into even sin and heresy (Mt.23:13-15) or you can rebel against him and bring upon yourself the wrath of God.  This lesson gives an example of the second extreme.  Miriam and Aaron should have acted as David did later when he refused to put his hand on the Lord’s anointed (1Sam.24:5-10; Ps.105:15).  What can we learn from this story?  How should we deal with a man of God when He goes wrong; or when we think he has gone wrong?

I.                     THE COMPLAINT OF MIRIAM AND AARON (12:1-2)

A.             The Complainers

1.              Miriam

a.              Mentioned first

(1)            The only place in scripture where Miriam is mentioned before either of her brothers (see v.5; 1Chr.6:3; Mic.6:4)

(2)            She was probably the instigator of the complaint.  This helps explain her greater punishment.

b.              Sister of Moses and Aaron (Num.26:59)

c.              Called a prophetess (Ex.15:20)

2.              Aaron

a.              Brother of Moses (Ex.4:14)

b.              Spokesman and prophet (Ex.4:16; 7:1)

c.              The first high priest (Ex.40:12-16)

(1)            Chosen of God (Ps.105:26)

(2)            Called of God (Heb.5:4)

d.              The saint of the Lord (Ps.106:16)

B.             Moses Took Too Much Liberty and Married an Ethiopian (v.1)

1.              Not Zipporah who was a Midianite (Ex.2:15-22; 18:1-6)

2.              Not mentioned anywhere else

C.             MosesTook Too Much Authority (v.2)

1.              Almost identical to the complaint of Korah (Num.16:1-3)

2.              Wanted more sharing of power (cp. 3Jn.9)

3.              They spoke against Moses (v.8; 2Pet.2:10; Jude 8-10)

II.                   THE MEEKNESS OF MOSES (12:3)

A.             He Thought Himself Unimportant (Ex.3:11)

B.             He Thought Himself Unable (Ex.4:10-13)

III.                  GOD’S MEETING WITH THEM (12:4-5)

A.             The Lord Calls Them Together (v.4)

1.              He had heard their complaints (v.2)

2.              He speaks suddenly to them (cp. Pr.29:1; Eccl.9:12; Mal.3:1; Mk.13:35-36)

3.              He calls them to the tabernacle

B.             The Lord Comes Down to Them (v.5)

1.              In the pillar of the cloud (Ex.33:9-10)

2.              In the door of the tabernacle

IV.                THE LORD DEFENDS MOSES (12:6-8)

A.             God’s Word Through Prophets (v.6)

1.              In a vision

2.              In a dream

B.             God’s Word to Moses (v.7-8a)

1.              An exception to the prophets (v.7)

a.              The Lord’s servant (Ps.105:26)

b.              One who is faithful in all God’s house (Heb.3:5)

2.              God’s revelation to Moses (v.8a)

a.              Speaking mouth to mouth (Ex.33:11; Dt.34:10)

b.              Allowing him to view His similitude (cp. Dt.4:12, 15)

V.                  THE LORD JUDGES MIRIAM (12:9-10)

A.             He Departs in Anger (v.9; 1Sam.16:14; 28:15-16; Ps.27:9)

B.             Miriam Becomes Leprous (v.10)

1.              She was the instigator (v.1)

2.              God showed mercy to Aaron who would have lost his priesthood (Lev.21:16-24)

VI.                MOSES INTERCEDES FOR MIRIAM (12:11-13)

A.             Aaron Cries Unto Moses (v.11-12)

1.              Proving that Moses had a closer relationship with God

2.              He confesses (v.11)

a.              Their foolishness

b.              Their sin

3.              He begs help for Miriam (v.12)

B.             Moses Cries Unto God (v.13)

1.              He asks for Miriam to be healed; this request is answered

2.              He asks that she be healed now; this request is not answered

VII.               MIRIAM BEARS HER SHAME (12:14-16)

A.             The Lord Overrides Moses’ Request (v.14)

1.              A lesser offense would cause shame

2.              She must bear the shame of this offense

B.             Miriam is Shut Our for Seven Days (v.15)

C.             The Congregation Moves to Paran (v.16)

VIII.             APPLICATION TO THE PASTOR AND CHURCH

A.             The Authority of the Pastor

1.              He oversees (Ac.20:28; 1Thes.5:12; 1Pet.5:2)

2.              He rules (1Tim.3:4-5; 5:17; Heb.13:7, 17, 24)

B.             The Proper Use of His Authority

1.              As one under authority (Mt.8:5-10; 1Pet.5:3-4)

2.              As one who serves as a minister (Mt.20:25-27; 2Cor.4:5; 12:15)

3.              As one who must maintain proper balance (1Pet.5:1-3)

a.              Negative

(1)            Not as being forced to rule – “by constraint”

(2)            Not for personal gain – “for filthy lucre”

(3)            Not for the thrill of power – “as being lords”

b.              Positive

(1)            As an opportunity to serve – “willingly”

(2)            As one accountable to God – “a ready mind”; this means to be ready to hear God and respond to Him (see Ac.17:11)

(3)            As living a life that is worthy of being duplicated – “ensamples to the flock” (Phil.3:17; 4:9; 2Thes.3:7-9; 1Tim.4:12; Tit.2:7)

C.             How to Help Your Pastor and Other Church Leaders

1.              Follow them as they follow the Lord; submit to their leadership (Heb.13:17)

2.              Encourage and help them in every way you can (1Thes.5:12-13; Heb.13:7)

3.              Pray for them (1Tim.2:1-2)

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