DIVINE APPEARINGS

^[p. 438] DIVINE APPEARINGS

Numbers 12. The servant is envied and spoken against by those immediately connected with him, Aaron and Miriam. “Has Jehovah indeed spoken only to Moses? has he not spoken also to us?”. The Cushite wife was but a pretext; there were pride and envy, especially in Miriam, for she is mentioned first. This is often seen in the endeavour either to elevate myself to the level of others greater in stature and gift, or to reduce them to my level, ignoring the sovereignty of God and increase of devotedness and spirituality in others.

“Jehovah heard it”. This should be enough for any servant thus persecuted. God will see to the matter, and so it can be left with him. But the Spirit would have us know the character of the man thus spoken against. “Moses was very meek, above all men that were upon the face of the earth”.

“Then Jehovah spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting ... . And Jehovah came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood at the entrance of the tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth”. Moses is honoured again. Aaron and Miriam are called apart and rebuked, the latter made leprous. How solemn! She was shut outside the camp seven days.

“Not so my servant Moses: he is faithful in all my house. Mouth to mouth do I speak to him openly, and not in riddles, and the form of Jehovah doth he behold”. What a tribute! Thus as we please Him in our walk and service we can leave our defence in the hands of God.