Numbers Day 4
Read Numbers 12:1-8.
The next heart issue that we see arise in the Israelites occurs between Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. These three were actually siblings and in Numbers 12 we see a moment that, if you’re a sibling, you can most likely relate to. Miriam and Aaron begin to get jealous that the Lord has chosen to speak through Moses. “Why can’t He speak through us?”, they ask. They begin to resent the position God has given them and become envious or jealous of the position God has given Moses. After bringing their complaints, God quickly calls a meeting with the three of them (you know you’re in trouble when a family meeting is called). God speaks directly to Miriam and Aaron in the next few verses.
Numbers 12:6-8
“He (God) said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?””
God is clarifying that He has chosen Moses to be the mouthpiece for God to the Israelites. Miriam and Aaron aren’t just attacking their brother, but they are attacking God’s decision in who He has chosen to lead the Israelites. Again, this is more than a mistake or a momentary meltdown from Miriam and Aaron. They are revealing the true condition of their heart, that their heart is still enslaved to sin.
Another way that our sinful nature presents itself in our life is in comparison. So often we are tempted to be unhappy or frustrated with our life circumstances, whether it be our family situation, our physical appearance, or body shape, even the giftings that God has given us or the way God has wired us. You may think, “I wish that I was more outgoing or funnier”. But God has created you so uniquely and individually. There was thought put into every aspect of you and God didn’t make a mistake when He made you the way He did. Your sinful nature will always lead you to be frustrated with your life and desire someone else, while walking with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to transform your heart will make you thankful for the place God has put you in and the person He has created you to be.
It’s been said by many people that the quickest way to prevent what God is trying to do through your life is to compare it to what He is trying to do through someone else’s life. Today, recognize the comparison and jealousy in your heart and surrender it to God. Reflect on how much intentionality God put into creating you in the way He did and seek His purpose for your life.
Questions to consider.
Who do you compare yourself to? Why do you struggle with comparing yourself to that person? Is it their life circumstances, physical appearance, their giftings or personality?
Write down some unique things about yourself (if you are stumped, ask a lead, parent, or friend). How have you seen these unique things be useful in your life?
Pray and ask God to help you remove comparison from your heart. Ask Him to help you view yourself the way He views you. If there are things you don’t like about yourself, pray and ask God to help you trust in Him, that He made you perfectly in these areas.
The next heart issue that we see arise in the Israelites occurs between Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. These three were actually siblings and in Numbers 12 we see a moment that, if you’re a sibling, you can most likely relate to. Miriam and Aaron begin to get jealous that the Lord has chosen to speak through Moses. “Why can’t He speak through us?”, they ask. They begin to resent the position God has given them and become envious or jealous of the position God has given Moses. After bringing their complaints, God quickly calls a meeting with the three of them (you know you’re in trouble when a family meeting is called). God speaks directly to Miriam and Aaron in the next few verses.
Numbers 12:6-8
“He (God) said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?””
God is clarifying that He has chosen Moses to be the mouthpiece for God to the Israelites. Miriam and Aaron aren’t just attacking their brother, but they are attacking God’s decision in who He has chosen to lead the Israelites. Again, this is more than a mistake or a momentary meltdown from Miriam and Aaron. They are revealing the true condition of their heart, that their heart is still enslaved to sin.
Another way that our sinful nature presents itself in our life is in comparison. So often we are tempted to be unhappy or frustrated with our life circumstances, whether it be our family situation, our physical appearance, or body shape, even the giftings that God has given us or the way God has wired us. You may think, “I wish that I was more outgoing or funnier”. But God has created you so uniquely and individually. There was thought put into every aspect of you and God didn’t make a mistake when He made you the way He did. Your sinful nature will always lead you to be frustrated with your life and desire someone else, while walking with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to transform your heart will make you thankful for the place God has put you in and the person He has created you to be.
It’s been said by many people that the quickest way to prevent what God is trying to do through your life is to compare it to what He is trying to do through someone else’s life. Today, recognize the comparison and jealousy in your heart and surrender it to God. Reflect on how much intentionality God put into creating you in the way He did and seek His purpose for your life.
Questions to consider.
Who do you compare yourself to? Why do you struggle with comparing yourself to that person? Is it their life circumstances, physical appearance, their giftings or personality?
Write down some unique things about yourself (if you are stumped, ask a lead, parent, or friend). How have you seen these unique things be useful in your life?
Pray and ask God to help you remove comparison from your heart. Ask Him to help you view yourself the way He views you. If there are things you don’t like about yourself, pray and ask God to help you trust in Him, that He made you perfectly in these areas.