In Numbers 12 Miriam (M) and Aaron (A) oppose Moses over his marriage to a Cushite woman (this was during his 40 years in the wilderness). But their beef, I think, went deeper. I think it goes into jealousy. “Has the Lord indeed only spoken through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” I have to wonder what brought that up. What burr got under their saddle?

But even more telling is what takes place later. God calls the three of them together and God rebukes M & A. In the end M ends up with leprosy-a death sentence. First, I wonder why not A too? Was it because he was the High Priest? Second, when A appealed to Moses for her, Moses did not say, “She deserves it,” but instead begged God to heal her. “O God, please heal her-please.” God’s response to Moses’ prayer is classic. If her father had spit on her she would have been shamed for seven days. This was worse so send her outside the camp for seven days then she will be restored. (My words).

Did M think she was immune to punishment for going against Moses? Did M forget she was just a servant? Was someone whispering in her ear? Proverbs 25:27 says, “It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.”

I think its safe to say M & A wanted equal honor. Instead they got dishonor. Moses was God’s man and God’s spokesman (so much for his speech problem in Exodus 2-3). But the convicting thing for me is God’s honor. He will not share His glory or honor with anyone else. That includes me.

“Father, forgive me when I seek to honor (lift up) myself. Your glory you will not share with anyone, especially me. When I get to thinking I’m too big for my britches, bring me down a peg or two. Let me not seek my own glory.”