Key Text: Numbers 12:3 (KJV)
"Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth."
In the vast wilderness of Sinai, under the scorching sun and amidst the shifting sands, a family drama unfolded that would teach us timeless lessons about leadership, jealousy, and the power of a humble spirit. Our story today comes from the book of Numbers, chapter 12, verses 1 through 10.
Picture this: Moses, the great leader chosen by God to guide the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, finds himself at the center of a family dispute. His own siblings, Miriam and Aaron, begin to speak against him. Why? Because of the woman he had married - a Cushite, someone from outside their community.
Now, let's pause for a moment and consider this situation. How would you feel if your own family members started criticizing your choices, especially in front of others? It's not a pleasant thought, is it? Yet, this is exactly what Moses faced.
The Bible tells us that Miriam and Aaron didn't stop at just talking about Moses' wife. They went further, questioning Moses' authority. They said, "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he also spoken through us?" (Numbers 12:2, NIV)
Can you hear the jealousy in their words? Can you feel the resentment bubbling up? Miriam and Aaron were also leaders among the Israelites. Miriam was a prophetess, and Aaron was the high priest. But it seems they felt overshadowed by their younger brother Moses.
This is where our key text comes in. Right in the middle of this family conflict, the Bible gives us a surprising description of Moses. It says, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3, KJV)
Meek. It's not a word we use much these days, is it? Some might even think it means weak or timid. But that's not what the Bible means here. When it says Moses was meek, it's talking about humility, patience, and gentleness. It's describing a strength of character that doesn't need to defend itself or prove itself to others.
Think about it. Moses was leading a nation of former slaves through a desert. He had to deal with complaints, rebellions, and now even his own family turning against him. Yet, he remained meek. He didn't lash out. He didn't defend himself. He let God handle the situation.
And handle it, God did. The Lord called Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to the Tent of Meeting. Imagine the tension in that moment! God came down in a pillar of cloud and spoke directly to Aaron and Miriam. He reminded them of Moses' unique role and asked, "Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:8, NIV)
God's anger burned against them, and when the cloud lifted, Miriam was covered in leprosy, her skin as white as snow. Aaron, seeing his sister's condition, immediately realized their error. He turned to Moses and begged, "Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed." (Numbers 12:11, NIV)
And what did Moses do? Did he say, "I told you so"? Did he gloat over God's punishment of his siblings? No. The Bible tells us that "Moses cried out to the Lord, 'Please, God, heal her!'" (Numbers 12:13, NIV)
This, my friends, is the power of meekness. Moses, despite being wronged, despite being gossiped about and having his authority questioned, immediately prayed for his sister's healing. He showed compassion and forgiveness in the face of jealousy and criticism.
What can we learn from this story? First, we see the dangers of jealousy and gossip. Miriam and Aaron's words against Moses weren't just hurtful to him; they were an offense to God. How often do we find ourselves speaking against others, perhaps out of envy or resentment? We must remember that our words have power, and God takes note of how we use them.
