"Murmur Not, Brethren, One Against Another"

(James 5. 9).

"Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses." We find these words recorded in Numbers 12. 1, the excuse for this dreadful proceeding being that Moses had married a Cushite woman; but the real cause was, they envied Moses in the special place he had with God (verse 2). Korah was guilty in a similar way through jealousy of Aaron, for Korah desired the priesthood (Numbers 16. 9, 10). Is it not possible for God's children to give way to envy and jealousy to-day? Man's unsanctified ambition is to rise, and if he obtains a place he is not content, but aspires to fill a higher one. Is not this principle seen in Satan, who would hike to be as God? The Antichrist will be an expression of this (2 Thessalonians 2. 4), but disciples and servants of the Lord should be content to occupy the place God gives them, and glorify Him in it. If we aspire to fill high places we may get puffed up, and at last become like Diotrephes who loved to have the preeminence (3 John 9, 10). There was good reason why Paul when writing to Timothy said, "Not a novice lest being puffed up, he fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Timothy 3. 6). Satan did not -fall into a snare laid for him, but into condemnation, for he said, "I will be like the Most High." He was not content to fill tine place which God had given him: pride indeed goeth before a fall.

What a contrast is seen in the Lord Jesus! He being originally in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, yea, and humbled Himself also (Philippians 2. 5, 6).

It seems that Moses let his detractors say on, for he was very meek; but God had something to say, and intervened on behalf of His servant Moses, confirming the place Moses had with Him (verses 6-8). When God undertakes our cause all is well. How precious to wait on God, for He is jealous for those whom He Inns chosen. We have this very beautifully portrayed on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter seems to give Moses and Elijah much the same place as the Lord, but God is very jealous for His Son's honour, and declares from the

cloud, "This is My Son, My chosen, hear ye Him" (Luke 9. 35).

It would appear that Miriam was the leader of the attack upon Moses, for she is mentioned before Aaron in this connection ; and she is smitten by God within leprosy. " It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God "(Hebrews 10. 31). David knew this, for he would not take the life of king Saul, God's anointed (1 Samuel 26. 9), otherwise he would have displeased his God; and when the Anmalakite told David that he had slain the king, David executed judgement on the one who had dared to lift his hand against the Lord's anointed (2 Samuel 1. 14-16). God's servants to-day should be honoured because of their character and work (see 1 Thessalonians 5. 12, 13). Just as aged men should be respected, not only because of their character, but for their age. The hoary head is to be honoured (Leviticus 19. 32).

God healed Miriam when Moses interceded for her; what grace on the part of Moses ! for he bore no ill will, though he had been maligned. There was "no root of bitterness" in connection with his sister. Love indeed covereth a multitude of sins. Surely we do well to take heed to the lesson and imitate Moses. What mercy and grace also on the part of God, whose selection of Moses had been questioned! For God would have men to be acknowledged in the place which He gives them. Miriam's grievous failure in Numbers 12., may be the reason why she was not permitted to enter into the promised land.

No matter what place one fills, if it is a God-given place evidenced clearly by character and work according to the Scriptures, God is glorified in the recognition of such as He is pleased to appoint to His service. Thus it is written----" We beseech you brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and to esteem them exceedingly highly in love for their work's sake."

unknown | Nov 1933
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