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Lord indeed spoken only by Moses？ hath He not spoken also by us？〃 Regarding
themselves as equally favored by God； they felt that they were entitled to
the same position and authority。
Yielding to the spirit of dissatisfaction； Miriam found cause of complaint
in events that God had especially overruled。 The marriage of Moses had been
displeasing to her。 That he should choose a woman of another nation； instead
of taking a wife from among the Hebrews； was an offense to her family and
national pride。 Zipporah was treated with ill…disguised contempt。
Though called a 〃Cushite woman〃 （Numbers 12：1； R。V。）； the wife of Moses was
a Midianite； and thus a descendant of Abraham。 In personal appearance she
differed from the Hebrews in being of a somewhat darker complexion。 Though
not an Israelite； Zipporah was a worshiper of the true God。 She was of a
timid； retiring disposition； gentle and affectionate； and greatly distressed
at the sight of suffering； and it was for this reason that Moses； when on
the way to Egypt； had consented to her return to Midian。
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He desired to spare her the pain of witnessing the judgments that were to
fall on the Egyptians。
When Zipporah rejoined her husband in the wilderness； she saw that his
burdens were wearing away his strength； and she made known her fears to
Jethro； who suggested measures for his relief。 Here was the chief reason for
Miriam's antipathy to Zipporah。 Smarting under the supposed neglect shown to
herself and Aaron； she regarded the wife to Moses as the cause； concluding
that her influence had prevented him from taking them into his counsels as
formerly。 Had Aaron stood up firmly for the right； he might have checked the
evil； but instead of showing Miriam the sinfulness of her conduct； he
sympathized with her； listened to her words of complaint； and thus came to
share her jealousy。
Their accusations were borne by Moses in uncomplaining silence。 It was the
experience gained during the years of toil and waiting in Midianthe spirit
of humility and long…suffering there developedthat prepared Moses to meet
with patience the unbelief and murmuring of the people and the pride and
envy of those who should have been his unswerving helpers。 Moses 〃was very
meek； above all he men which were upon the face of the earth；〃 and this is
why he was granted divine wisdom and guidance above all others。 Says the
Scripture； 〃The meek will He guide in judgment： and the meek will He teach
His way。〃 Psalm 25：9。 The meek are guided by the Lord； because they are
teachable； willing to be instructed。 They have a sincere desire to know and
to do the will of God。 The Saviour's promise is； 〃If any man will do His
will； he shall know of the doctrine。〃 John 7：17。 And He declares by the
apostle James； 〃If any of you lack wisdom； let him ask of God； that giveth
to all men liberally； and upbraideth not； and it shall be given him。〃 James
1：5。 But His promise is only to those who are willing to follow the Lord
wholly。 God does not force the will of any； hence He cannot lead those who
are too proud to be taught； who are bent upon having their own way。 Of the
double…minded manhe who seeks to follow his own will； while professing to
do the will of Godit is written； 〃Let not that man think that he shall
receive anything of the Lord。〃 James 1：7。
God had chosen Moses； and had put His Spirit upon him； and Miriam and Aaron；
by their murmurings； were guilty of
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disloyalty； not only to their appointed leader； but to God Himself。 The
seditious whisperers were summoned to the tabernacle； and brought face to
face with Moses。 〃And Jehovah came down in the pillar of the cloud； and
stood in the door of the tabernacle； and called Aaron and Miriam。〃 Their
claim to the prophetic gift was not denied； God might have spoken to them in
visions and dreams。 But to Moses； whom the Lord Himself declared 〃faithful
in all Mine house；〃 a nearer communion had been granted。 With him God spake
mouth to mouth。 〃Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My
servant Moses？ And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them； and He
departed。〃 The cloud disappeared from the tabernacle in token of God's
displeasure； and Miriam was smitten。 She 〃became leprous； white as snow。〃
Aaron was spared； but he was severely rebuked in Miriam's punishment。 Now；
their pride humbled in the dust； Aaron confessed their sin； and entreated
that his sister might not be left to perish by that loathsome and deadly
scourge。 In answer to the prayers of Moses the leprosy was cleansed。 Miriam
was； however； shut out of the camp for seven days。 Not until she was
banished from the encampment did the symbol of God's favor again rest upon
the tabernacle。 In respect for her high position； and in grief at the blow
that had fallen upon her； the whole company abode in Hazeroth； awaiting her
return。
This manifestation of the Lord's displeasure was designed to be a warning to
all Israel； to check the growing spirit of discontent and insubordination。
If Miriam's envy and dissatisfaction had not been signally rebuked； it would
have resulted in great evil。 Envy is one of the most satanic traits that can
exist in the human heart； and it is one of the most baleful in its effects。
Says the wise man； 〃Wrath is cruel； and anger is outrageous； but who is able
to stand before envy？〃 Proverbs 27：4。 It was envy that first caused discord
in heaven； and its indulgence has wrought untold evil among men。 〃Where
envying and strife is； there is confusion and every evil work。〃 James 3：16。
It should not be regarded as a light thing to speak evil of others or to
make ourselves judges of their motives or actions。 〃He that speaketh evil of
his brother； and judgeth his brother； speaketh evil of the law； and judgeth
the law： but if thou judge the law； thou art not a doer of the law； but a
judge。〃 James 4：11。 There is but one judgeHe 〃who both will bring to light
the
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hidden things of darkness； and will make manifest the counsels of the
hearts。〃 1 Corinthians 4：5。 And whoever takes it upon himself to judge and
condemn his fellow men is usurping the prerogative of the Creator。
The Bible specially teaches us to beware of lightly bringing accusation
against those whom God has called to act as His ambassadors。 The apostle
Peter； describing a class who are abandoned sinners； says； 〃Presumptuous are
they； self…willed； they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities。 Whereas
angels； which are greater in power and might； bring not railing accusation
against them before the Lord。〃 2 Peter 2：10； 11。 And Paul； in his
instruction for those who are placed over the church； says； 〃Against an
elder receive not an accusation； but before two or three witnesses。〃
1 Timothy 5：19。 He who has placed upon men the heavy
responsibility of leaders and teachers of His people will hold the people
accountable for the manner in which they treat His servants。 We are to honor
those whom God has honored。 The judgment visited upon Miriam should be a
rebuke to all who yield to jealousy； and murmur against those upon whom God
lays the burden of His work。