What in the world?

On the outset it seems like it’s just siblings quarreling.. jealousy perhaps? But Miriam and Aaron seemed to have developed a form of “spiritual pride” over the course of the journey. As opposed to Moses who, even with all that has happened so far, remained meek and humble. In people’s eyes, Miriam and Aaron’s statement seemed correct – even they have access to God now. But that’s not something they can boast about, especially with the intent of putting down Moses’ authority. God showed them what He thinks about all this.

And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8 ESV)

Miriam was then subjected to disciplinary action. Why only Miriam though and not Aaron? That’s interesting.

Moses, oh Moses, in spite of just being talked down to by his own siblings, pleaded for God to heal Miriam (“please heal her – please”). Not the first time Moses interceded. Intercession seems to be a common quality of God’s chosen ones. Yes, all throughout the Bible, intercession seems to be a key theme. Leading to the ultimate act of when Jesus interceded for us. But it shouldn’t end there, I think God still calls his children today to do the same. Hmm, I need to think about this some more.

David swore to God – and he was serious, passionate, dedicated in seeing it through. I wonder, have I made similar promises (most probably), and have I kept those promises with the same fervor (most probably not).

God swore to David as well – and for sure He kept it. Regardless of David’s action, God will keep (has kept) His promise. Not because of our sake, but because of His grace. Because He wants to bless – it is His desire. No one can tell Him otherwise.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1, 2 ESV)

Seek, set your mind on, things that are above. Just as Jesus said, seek first God’s Kingdom. The challenge for Christians is living for the “above”, while living in the “below”. Challenge is an understatement. Struggle might be more suitable. The verb is Seek, Set – it is active, a conscious effort. If I could read the original text it would probably tell me that it is in the “progressive tense” in the sense that it is a constant, ongoing, action. Seek. Set your mind. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another. (Colossians 3:5, 8, 9a ESV)

The Bible acknowledges that it is there, in us, in the life of a Christian. It is something we have to deal with. “Put to death what is earthly in you”, I won’t be surprised if in the original text this is also in the progressive tense.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14 ESV)

As with the previous passage, I don’t think this is meant to be an exhaustive list, but a guide. Besides I don’t think we can obey these perfectly. This guide shows us what it looks like, for a person seeking what is above compared to a person seeking what is below. Somehow, we know, we can tell. It is the application of it that is the difficult part.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)

To cap it off, a simpler guide. Useful for people like me who get overwhelmed. Whatever we think, say, and do – do so as one carrying the name “Christ”. In, and through Him. Because seriously, this is so difficult to do – impossible – by only our own strength.

God chooses even from the womb, before we are even born. We have not even lived a single second, so we are not chosen because of our merits, and certainly, not of our demerits. Even if we’ve made bad decisions, or not so smart decisions, or indecisions, if we heed God’s call, He will restore us. He has a purpose for us. He has called us to be light in the world, reflecting his Son.

I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6b ESV)

I like this.

they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up. (Isaiah 49:10, 11 ESV)

Forgiven AND not forgotten

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:14, 15 ESV)

“The people complained…”

They complained about something so miraculous – manna, food from heaven! – that had been so commonplace that they don’t realize how amazing it is anymore. Look around, look at your life, miracles and blessings abound!

“The rabble among them…”

It’s easy to blame it on the “uncouth”, immature, mob or whatever for inciting discontent, tempting “the faithful”, causing trouble – but I believe that those who are (more) mature should be responsible to lead and guide those who are not. In an absence of a leader, or in this case with Moses – an overwhelmed leader, the mob rules.

“I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me…”

Being a leader is a heavy responsibility. It’s amazing people even aspire to be one. Moses had to deal with both external and internal pressures. It seems like it’s the same for all leaders in the Bible.

“Gather seventy elders of Israel…”

Again, delegation – passing of the torch. It’s a common theme. There are obvious leaders, but there are also those who are not so obvious to us, but God sees them as leaders.