Schoolmaster to Christ
NUMBERS CHAPTER 12
Schoolmaster to Christ
NUMBERS CHAPTER 12
Scripture Reading: Numbers 12 (KJV)
This brief section of the Book of Numbers may be viewed in two distinct aspects: typical and moral.
Typical: In the union of Moses with "the Ethiopian woman," we have a type of that great and marvelous mystery, the union of the church with Christ her Head. This subject came before us in our study of the Book of Exodus; but we see it here in a peculiar light – evoking the enmity of Aaron and Miriam. The sovereign actions of grace draw out the opposition of those who stand on the ground of natural relationship and fleshly privilege. From the teaching of the New Testament, we know that the extension of grace to the Gentiles was that which always elicited the fiercest and most terrible hatred of the Jews. They would not have it; they would not believe in it; no, they would not even hear of it. There is a remarkable allusion to this in the eleventh chapter of Romans, where the apostle, referring to the Gentiles, says, "For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these [Jews] also now not believed in your mercy that they also may obtain mercy" (vv. 30, 31; emphasis added).
This is precisely what we have typically presented in the history of Moses. First of all, he presented himself to Israel, his brethren according to the flesh; but in unbelief they rejected him. They thrust him from them, and would not have him. In the sovereignty of God, this became the occasion of mercy to the stranger, for it was during the period of Moses' rejection by Israel that he formed the mystic and typical union with a Gentile bride. Against this union Miriam and Aaron speak in the chapter now before us; and their opposition brings down the judgment of God. Miriam becomes leprous – a poor defiled thing – a proper subject of mercy that flows out to her through the intercession of the very one against whom she had spoken.
The type is complete and most striking. The Jews have not believed in the glorious truth of mercy to the Gentiles, and therefore wrath came on them. This was no doubt humiliating to those who sought to stand on the ground of promise and national privilege; but thus it is in the dispensational wisdom of God, the very thought of which draws forth from the inspired apostle that magnificent doxology, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
Moral: Let us now briefly look at the moral bearing. "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. and they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the Lord: came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord. will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to month, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed-from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous" (vv. 1-10).
It is a serious thing for anyone to speak against the Lord's servant. We may rest assured that God will sooner or later deal with it. In the case of Miriam, His judgment came suddenly and solemnly. It was a grievous wrong; a positive rebellion to speak against the one whom God had raised up and clothed with a divine commission; who had acted in full consonance with the counsels of God, and furnished a type of that glorious mystery hidden in His eternal mind – the union of Christ and the church.
It is a fatal mistake to speak against the feeblest and humblest of God's servants. If the servant does wrong; if he is in error; if he has failed in anything – the Lord Himself will deal with him; but let fellow servants beware regarding taking the matter into their hands, lest, like Miriam, they be found meddling in their own hurt.
It is awful the way people sometimes allow themselves to speak and write about Christ's servants. On occasion, it may be true; sometimes the Lord's servants make mistakes and even manifest a wrong spirit and temper. However, it must be said that it is a dreadful sin against Christ to speak evil of His dear servants. Surely we ought to feel the weight and solemnity of the words, "Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant?"
May God give as grace to guard against this evil Let us see to it that we are not found doing that which is offensive to Him – speaking against those who are dear to His heart. There is not a single one of God's people in whom we cannot find some good thing, provided we look for it in the right way. Let us be occupied with only the good; let us dwell on that and seek to strengthen and develop it in every possible way. On the other hand, if we have not been able to discover the good thing in our brother and fellow-servant; if our eye has detected only the crooked thing; if we have not succeeded in finding the vital spark amid the ashes – the precious gem among the surrounding rubbish; if we have only seen what was of mere human nature, let us with a loving and delicate hand draw the curtain of silence around our brother, or speak of him only at the throne of grace.
Further, if we happen to be with those who indulge in the wicked practice of speaking against the Lord's people, and if we cannot change the conversation, let us rise and leave the place, bearing testimony against that which is so hateful to Christ. Let us never sit by and listen to a backbiter. We may rest assured he is doing the work of the devil, and inflicting positive injury on three distinct parties: himself, his hearer, and the subject of his censorious remarks.
There is something beautiful in the way Moses carries himself in the scene before us. Truly he proved himself a meek man, not only in the matter of Eldad and Medad, but also in the more trying matter of Miriam and Aaron. As to the former, instead of being jealous of those who were called to share his dignity and responsibility, he rejoiced in their work, and prayed that all the Lord's people might taste the same holy privilege. And, as to the latter, instead of cherishing any feeling of resentment against his brother and sister, he was ready, at once to take the place of intercession.
"And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. And Moses cried unto The Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee" (vv. 11-13).
Here Moses breathes the spirit of His Master, and prays for those who had spoken so bitterly against him. This was victory; the victory of a meek man; the victory of grace. A man who knows his right place in the presence of God is able to rise above all evil speaking. He is troubled not by what is said, but for those who say it. He can afford to forgive. He is not touchy, tenacious, or self-occupied. He knows that no one can put him lower than He deserves to be; and therefore, if any speak against him, he can meekly bow his head and pass on, leaving himself and his cause in the hands of Him who judges righteously, and Who will reward every man according to his works.
This is true dignity. May we come to understand it better. Only then will we not be so ready to lash out when someone speaks disparagingly of us or our work. Further, we will be able to lift up our hearts in earnest prayer for them, and thus draw down blessing on them and on our own souls.
