May 23
‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7
Bible reading: Numbers 12:1-9 (Go to the Bible passage)
Moses was married to Zipporah - a daughter of the Midianite priest Jethro - who was a descendent of Abraham too. Later Moses had also married an Ethiopian woman.
Miriam - Moses’ sister - despised him for this second marriage. Perhaps because he had broken monogamous principles - that are said to have been honored in those days - or perhaps because this woman was a descendant of Ham who had been cursed by Noah (Genesis 9:25).
Now it is beside the point whether Miriam had good reasons for despising Moses, neither does it matter if Moses had acted wisely in marrying this woman. What matters is that Miriam used this opportunity to make herself more important by criticizing Moses. Let it get through to us clearly that this is often the main reason for criticism in this world!
Paul says, ‘Love is not self-seeking’ (1 Corinthians 13:5) and where love reigns, it is unthinkable to utter criticism from a sense of self-glorification.
Someone who reckons with God and wants to do His will, will always encounter harsh criticism says the Bible (2 Timothy 3:12). But he need not fear it, for even the vilest slander cannot harm him. How distinctly have I found this to be true in my own life.
Jesus says, ‘My Father will honor the one who serves Me’ (John 12:26). This word ‘honor’ does not mean 'being honored' or 'revered', but 'looked after', 'taken care of'. So God will care for the one who serves Him.
Therefore God punished Miriam with leprosy, for she sought honor and attention for herself by criticizing Moses, the so very useful and greatly beloved servant of God.

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