1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: Let us pray and Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses 2 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:09,240 Speaker 1: because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, For 3 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:16,280 Speaker 1: he had married an Ethiopian woman numbers twelve one. Dear Lord, 4 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: thank you that you are a protective father. And because 5 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 1: you are a protective father, I know that if there 6 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,319 Speaker 1: is any speech that is trying to rise up against me, 7 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 1: you will silence it. Thank you that when it comes 8 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,840 Speaker 1: to my reputation, I don't have to fight the battle 9 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: on my own or try to prove myself to another. Instead, 10 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: I will keep my integrity intact. I will continue to 11 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: move and operate in love because I know that at 12 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: the end of the day, you are for me. In 13 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: the same breath, I will ask that if the same 14 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: mindset that came upon Aaron and Miriam tries to descend 15 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: upon my mind, that you would silence it. I choose 16 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 1: to live my life with honor, humility, and holiness, and 17 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: because these are my pillars, I will honor any one 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:09,759 Speaker 1: in a position of power, even when we don't see 19 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 1: eye to eye. Through this simple truth, I know that 20 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 1: when my time comes, you will surround me with the 21 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: right people who will honor my position and authority. I 22 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: will not forget that honor is the key to elevation 23 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: in your kingdom. These truths I will hold near to 24 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:37,559 Speaker 1: my heart in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for praying 25 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: with me to day. Continue listening for an incredible Bible 26 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 1: story brought to you by Bible in a Year dot Com. 27 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 2: Define Moses. In our last story, we saw the people 28 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: of Israel grumbled to God about food, and God made 29 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 2: a point. Their constant complaining and ungrateful spirits drove Moses 30 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 2: to the end of himself, and God appointed seventy men 31 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 2: to relieve Moses of his burdens. In this story, we 32 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 2: learn about jealousy rearing its ugly head in the hearts 33 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 2: of Miriam, Moses's sister and Aaron. The jealous hearts of 34 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 2: Cain seek to strike once again, but God would not 35 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,120 Speaker 2: allow it. As inspired by the Book of Numbers. 36 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 37 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, we saw 38 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 3: how the needs of the Israelites overwhelmed Moses and he 39 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 3: was burning out, and yet he goes to God for help. 40 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 3: God gives him a plan and appointed seventy men to 41 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 3: help lighten the load and to take care of the 42 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 3: problems and the perplexities of leading such a great nation. 43 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 3: We also saw how God judges the people for their 44 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,799 Speaker 3: ungrateful hearts and their lack of trust. By sending a plague, 45 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,920 Speaker 3: God was demonstrating that though he was the provider and 46 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 3: would always protect them, that he would bring punishment to 47 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 3: correct or discipline his children. Today will revisit a theme 48 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,519 Speaker 3: that's come up many times in scripture. Sibling rivalry from 49 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 3: canaan Abel to Joseph and his brothers is a problem 50 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 3: almost as old as mankind. We'll hear how moses siblings, 51 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 3: Miriam and Aaron turn against Moses, and how God deals 52 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 3: with their attempt to usurp his leadership. Now let's hear 53 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 3: today's reading. 54 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 2: Banterist's whispers could be heard in the dead of night. Miriam, 55 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 2: Moses's sisters and Errand spoke silently, tout with intensity. They gossiped, grumbled, 56 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 2: and complained about their brother, Moses marrying an Ethiopian for 57 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 2: whatever reason. Miriam boiled with anger towards Moses's wife, Yet 58 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 2: the true heart behind her distress was revealed in her words. 59 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: Does God only speak through Moses, she whispered, doing her 60 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 2: best not to be heard by anyone else. He has 61 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 2: spoken to you, me and plenty others. 62 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 3: Here. 63 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 2: Arin agreed with Miriam, having been both jealous and embarrassed 64 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 2: by Moses's faithfulness and favor. They validated one another's words. 65 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: Their hearts had been gripped by an evil that once 66 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 2: took over the heart of Jacob's sons towards Joseph years ago. 67 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 2: As they spoke to others, their dishonor for Moses increased, 68 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 2: and they began to so subtle doubt among the people. 69 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 2: Though Miriam and Aaron were keeping a low profile, God 70 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 2: could hear every word of it. Petty, childish. God looked 71 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 2: upon Miriam and Erin with disgust. He would not tolerate 72 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:04,719 Speaker 2: leaders driven by jealousy and contempt. Moses was a meek man. 73 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 2: His humility often overshadowed his strength as a leader. Therefore, 74 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 2: it was up to God to reprimand his siblings. As 75 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 2: Miriam and Aaron were scheming amongst each other, a cloud 76 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 2: of smoke descended upon the tent of meeting. The air shifted, 77 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: and the warm breeze turned into a sharp and frigid wind. 78 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: Come out, the Lord shouted. He beckoned Moses forward and 79 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 2: forced Arin and Miriam out from the shadows. God spoke 80 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 2: to Miriam and Erin as a shepherd wood to wolves. 81 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 2: His anger emanated from the cloud as he said, hear 82 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 2: my words, and listen carefully. When I speak to my prophets, 83 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 2: I come to them in dreams and visions. This is 84 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: not so with Moses. He is faithful, and I speak 85 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 2: to him clearly, plainly, and with no riddles. You should 86 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 2: fear speaking about him the way you have. You should 87 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 2: tremble at the very thought of mistreating him. God truly 88 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 2: spoke as a protective father, and his anger was kindled 89 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 2: against the two of them, and the cloud of smoke 90 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:23,040 Speaker 2: disappeared as quickly as it came. Silence fell upon them 91 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 2: as they sat in the tent. Moses could not look 92 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,040 Speaker 2: them in the eyes. He tilted his head to the floor. 93 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 2: Heart aching from the betrayal of his closest friends. Moses 94 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 2: closed his eyes, thinking about what he would say next. 95 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 2: He had never had a way with words, what would 96 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 2: he say now? As he was thinking, he heard his 97 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 2: brother gas. Moses lifted his eyes and saw Aaron's face 98 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 2: in shock. As he looked at his sister. Miriam's face 99 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 2: had become white as snow, and her skin began to 100 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 2: peel off her face. Miriam shrieked and cried out in 101 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 2: pain as her entire body began to rot. Pieces of 102 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:07,160 Speaker 2: flesh peeled from Miriam's face like paper, and her fingers 103 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 2: began to fall off one by one. Aaron watched as 104 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 2: his sister became riddled with leprosy. Unable to look any longer, 105 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 2: he turned to Moses and shouted, my Lord, do not 106 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 2: punish us. Her flesh is half eaten away. Aaron cried 107 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 2: with his face to the floor in front of Moses. 108 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 2: Moses was just as sickened as Erin. He shivered at 109 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 2: the sight of Miriam, whose teeth had been dangling from 110 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 2: her open mouth. Oh God, Moses shouted, Please heal her, Please, 111 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 2: Moses begged. So God did as Moses requested, and Miriam 112 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 2: lived outside the camp for seven days. God allowed her 113 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 2: to live with the outward display of her inward character. 114 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 2: After she had healed, she rejoined them, and the three 115 00:07:57,240 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 2: continued to lead the people to go. 116 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 3: Today's episode begins, as acts of treachery often do, with whispers. 117 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 3: Miriam and Aaron, the very sister and brother of Moses, 118 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 3: are jealous of his position. Envious why should he get 119 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 3: all the credit for hearing from God? They said to 120 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 3: themselves and then to others. They were undermining the man 121 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 3: that God Almighty had chosen to lead his dear people. 122 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 3: Surely their whispers were heard throughout the camp. Moses himself 123 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 3: may not have heard them, but God did. And the 124 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 3: reality is that when someone tries to undermine one that 125 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 3: God has called to lead his people, it's like an 126 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 3: attack on God himself, and that will not be tolerated. 127 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 3: So God summons Moses and his siblings to the tent 128 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 3: of meeting and made it very clear Moses was set 129 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:56,079 Speaker 3: apart different from all the others. Their attempt at comparing 130 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 3: themselves to Moses would not be taken lightly. God asked 131 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 3: why they, knowing that Moses was chosen by God himself, 132 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 3: had spoken against him. This is a reminder for us 133 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 3: today to be very careful how we speak of those 134 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 3: who God has called to lead. In the Book of Acts, 135 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 3: we find a story of a pharisee named Gamaliel who 136 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 3: understood this. When some of the apostles were arrested for 137 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 3: preaching the Gospel of Christ. Gamaliel advised those in charge 138 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 3: to let them be. If they were not from God, 139 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 3: they would soon be gone. But if they were from God, 140 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 3: defying them was a dangerous, treacherous move. It could mean 141 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:40,079 Speaker 3: they were fighting against God himself. That's what Miriam and 142 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 3: Aaron were doing. By undermining and criticizing Moses, they picked 143 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 3: a fight with God. God turned to them in anger 144 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 3: and struck Miriam with a horrible leprosy. Her skin began 145 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 3: to peel away. Yet Moses, once again demonstrating compassion and 146 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 3: grace even to those opposing him, intervenes and asks God 147 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 3: to spare her. Because of Moses, God determines to let 148 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:09,199 Speaker 3: Miriam live, and she survives. She is required to live 149 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 3: outside the camp for a week, but then is restored 150 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 3: to the community and they move on continuing their journey 151 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 3: to the Promised Land. And when we see them next, 152 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 3: they will arrive at Canaan. Dear God, thank you for 153 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 3: this story, which reminds us that you call people to 154 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 3: leadership roles for a reason, and we are to respect 155 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 3: and follow those that you've put over us. Help us 156 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 3: to support rather than undermine, those you have called to serve. 157 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:43,680 Speaker 3: You in leadership positions in Christ's name. Amen. Thank you 158 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm 159 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 3: pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey dot 160 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 3: com app and make a priority in your life. If 161 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 3: you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you know, 162 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 3: someone you love, because by sharing this podcast, you can 163 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 3: make a big difference in someone's life. And if you 164 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 3: want more resources as to how to live the Christian life, 165 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 3: how to know God and experience his presence in your life, 166 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 3: be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God bless you.