I have a few notes from Numbers that I’d like to share with you today.

Grumblers

We can glean a lot from what we read in the Bible that might not seem evident at first. Let’s take a look at these verses from Numbers 12.

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.

Numbers 12:1 (NIV)

If we’ve read the complete text up to this point, we can gather three pieces of information from this verse.

1. Miriam is the instigator of this talk against Moses. This is because she is listed first, indicating she is the principal person in the subject of this sentence. 

2. Aaron isn’t a leader and doesn’t appear to have the best discernment. Certainly, the Lord sent him to follow Moses, but in the case of the golden calf, Aaron followed the wishes of the people instead of adhering to what was right. Here, Miriam has an issue with Moses’ marriage, and Aaron is right there to back her up.

3. Moses was married twice. It’s unlikely his marriage to Zipporah 40+ years ago would come up as a sort point now. It’s more likely that Moses married again. The Bible doesn’t give us any further information on this, but it does make sense.

If we could read the text in its original format, we would know for certain that Miriam was the instigator of this grumbling against Moses because the verb used for speaking is feminine which means the speaker is feminine. Numbers 12:10 shows us who is punished for this grumbling against Moses.

When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous a —it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease.

Numbers 12:10 (NIV)

Miriam is punished supporting the notion that she was the instigator. 

What’s stopping you?

When Moses sent the twelve men to spy out the Promised Land, they came back and had this to say.

They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.

Numbers 13:27 (NIV)

However, rather than accept that the land was good and move into it and take possession of it, they add something to their report.

But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.

Numbers 13:28 (NIV)

But… How often do we see the prosperity that lies before us and turn away from moving forward in faith because of the “great and all-powerful but”? We must remember God’s will prevails. Nothing we see before us, nor anything behind us or anything that we see today, is greater and more powerful than God. If God tells us to move in a direction, then he has prepared us to move in that direction. This doesn’t mean we have the answers. This doesn’t mean it’s going to be smooth sailing. It means simply, if God is before us who can be against us?

Humble People

Moses is credited with writing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. However, two passages in Scripture indicate someone else came after Moses to make at least two annotations. 

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

Deuteronomy 34:10 (NIV)

While Moses could have known this through revelation by the Holy Spirit, it’s unlikely that this is the case. 

(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

Numbers 12:3 (NIV)

One of the traits associated with humble people is a lack of awareness that they are humble. There’s something that happens inside our brains if we start thinking we are humble. Even if we are humble, pride is right there and will easily rise up if we focus on our humility. While it’s possible that Moses, unaware, could have been directed by the Holy Spirit to write Numbers 12:3, it’s more likely that someone else wrote this after Moses’ death. The original Hebrew word here is, “anav” which means, “Poor, afflicted, humble, meek.” Moses could have written something like, “Now Moses was a (poor, afflicted or meek) man” instead. However, comparing himself to everyone else in the world just doesn’t fit.

Well, that’s all I have for today. I’m enjoying my reading of Numbers, and I’m thankful for what the Lord is showing me here in this season. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away. 

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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