Numbers 12 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Then the L_rd descended in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward, He said: ‘Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the L_rd, I make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; he is the only one faithful in all My household. I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the image of G_d. So why are you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?’” Numbers 12:5-8

“Envy” is pride wounded in competition. Whenever I see someone who is consumed with envy, I start looking for where the competition is, because somehow they are responding from that vulnerable place of realized or impending defeat.

For Cain & Abel, the competition was over G_d’s favor of their offerings. For Jacob & Esau, it was over birthright and blessing. I’ve seen it between recording artists in the marketplace, and between ministers over congregants. There was serious competition going-on between Moses’ siblings.

Moses’ brother, Aaron was oldest, and by birthright it was his responsibility to spiritually lead the family. As high priest, he was indeed leading Israel, spiritually. Perhaps, he also wanted to lead them militarily & administratively.

Miriam was Moses’ older sister. She followed Moses’ baby basket down the Nile, straight to Pharaoh’s daughter. Miriam negotiated for Moses’ own mother to nurse and raise him! It must have been hard for Miriam to submit to Moses, without seeing him as a child who needed to be watched-over.

G_d saw past their pseudo-righteous indignation and spoke directly, concerning their envious hearts. Miriam & Aaron’s dispute wasn’t over Moses marrying an Egyptian woman. It was over his authority. G_d cut straight to the issue, never mentioning the Egyptian woman.

In G_d’s pronouncement, there is a profound lesson concerning prophecy and faithfulness. There are several Biblical instances, where people who aren’t particularly righteous prophesy. Even Balaam’s donkey prophesied! All that meant was that G_d wanted to send a message, and He isn’t limited by the righteousness of the messenger.

Most profound is G_d’s statement about faithfulness. When we are faithful, G_d’s messages don’t come to us in abrupt off-time spurts. He speaks directly and openly to the faithful. Paul says we should strive for such a relationship with G_d, above all else! (1 Corinthians 14:1) Leadership is not about age or experience, necessarily. It is a matter of faithfulness. Be faithful and keep seeking G_d’s “revelation” as you read His Word.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Monday, May 19, 2014