pramsay posted on May 06, 2010 17:15 1790 views

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Moses’ Sister Disciplined

“I got the shock of my life today when I walked to edge of the camp and I saw Miriam outside – yes, outside our camp. How humiliating it must be for her. I heard that she’s out for like seven days. That’s why we haven’t been travelling the last couple of days. The whole camp has come to a standstill because of Miriam. I assumed because of ‘who’ she was, she wouldn’t be treated like the rest of us. But what a lesson this is for all of us. Sin is a super serious matter with God – regardless of our name or fame. He shows no favoritism. It was a wake-up call for me; a fresh reminder of how God views sin.”

And a real shock it was. Miriam had sinned. She had been critical of her brother Moses and jealous of his leadership role. This is the same Miriam that had such a thrilling role to play when little Moses was in the homemade floating basket in the Nile. When the princess of Egypt claimed the baby boy as hers, young Miriam ran up to her and said: “Princess, I know a really good babysitter, if you ever need one.” And Miriam’s strategy worked. Baby Moses got to go home with his parents. What an awesome move on your part Miriam!

Miriam led the song of praise on the shores of the Red Sea after their triumphant crossing. Miriam was a prophetess and a leader. (Micah 6:4)  But at Hazeroth Miriam sinned. She was probably the instigator and Aaron joined in on the scheme to challenge Moses’ authority. Her opening line of attack was a criticism of the wife Moses married but the real issue boiling just below the surface was a dark jealousy of Moses’ unique leadership role assigned to him by the Lord.

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses

because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?”

And the LORD heard it. .

When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. ..

So Miriam was shut outside the camp seven days,

and the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again.

Numbers 1-2, 10, 15

What a loud message the Lord sent to all His people about the seriousness of sin. Miriam’s sin ended up affecting the whole camp for seven days – probably a million plus people.

God still treats sin very seriously today. If you read 1Corinthians Chapter 5, you will see there are sins that Christians can tragically commit that require their excommunication from an assembly of believers. Just like Miriam was restored to the camp and was later brought back inside, a Christian who sins and is excommunicated can be (and hopefully will be) restored to the Lord and brought back into the fellowship of the local church.  It is a sad day for everyone in a local assembly when a believer has to be put away because of sin. The action ensures the assembly is cleared before the Lord in the matter of the sin but it also is a loud reminder to everyone to live a holy life.

Sin is very serious. Are you playing with fire – something that has the potential to tragically bring you down? What’s your plan to avoid disaster?

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com

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