Numbers

Numbers 12: God defends His faithful servant

Begin in prayer

Before hearing God defend Moses, please ask Him to humble our pride. Pray that we will receive His Word with reverence and look to the Son who makes Him known.

But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another.

Psalm 75:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Keep us from proud speech, and help us hear Your Word and see the greater glory of Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of his Cushite wife and question whether God speaks through him alone. The Lord calls them to the Tent of Meeting and declares Moses faithful in His house. He speaks plainly to Moses, and asks why they dared to speak against His servant. God’s anger burns against them, and Miriam becomes leprous when the cloud departs. Aaron confesses their sin, and Moses begs God to heal her. She remains outside the camp for seven days, and Israel waits before travelling onward.

As you read Numbers 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God defends His chosen servant and calls His people to humble trust.

Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses’ marriage, then question his place as God’s spokesman. God hears their words and calls all three to His tent. His answer rests on the way He has chosen to speak through Moses. Other prophets receive visions and dreams, while Moses hears Him plainly, mouth to mouth. Challenging this servant means challenging the God who appointed him. Moses answers the wrong done to him by praying for Miriam when judgment falls. God hears that prayer, yet her shame and seven days outside the camp show that forgiveness does not make rebellion small.

How does Numbers 12 show us that God defends His chosen servant and calls His people to humble trust?

God hears when His people speak against His appointed servant.

The complaint begins with Moses’ marriage to a Cushite woman and becomes a challenge to his calling. Miriam and Aaron ask, “Hasn’t he spoken also with us?” (verse 2). God answers the challenge by declaring how He speaks to Moses.

God gives Moses a special place in making His word known.

God describes Moses as faithful in His house. He speaks to him plainly, beyond the visions and dreams He gives other prophets. Israel must receive God’s word through the servant He has chosen.

God’s humble servant prays for the person who wronged him.

Aaron admits that he and Miriam have sinned, and Moses asks God to heal her. Miriam must still bear seven days of shame outside the camp. The people wait for her return before the journey continues.

Memorise

Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?

Numbers 12:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how does my proud speech show my need for the mercy of Jesus?

God says of Moses, “He is faithful in all my house.” Yet Hebrews 3 verses 5 and 6 show that Jesus has greater glory. Moses serves in God’s house, and Christ rules over it as the Son. The servant’s faithfulness prepares us to honour the Son.

We have answered God with proud hearts and words. Jesus humbled Himself and carried the sin of His people to the cross. He suffered their judgment, then rose bodily from the grave. His obedience and death have accomplished everything needed for their peace with God.

Turn from your pride and trust Jesus. The Son grants forgiveness to those who come seeking His mercy. Please receive His Word with a humble heart. The Savior who prayed for His enemies teaches His people to answer wrong with grace, while keeping God’s holiness before them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that pride against God is serious, and the greater Son brings forgiveness to all who trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for defending His servant and answering the prayer for Miriam, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.

John 3:34

Father, thank You for making Your Word known and for sending Your Son. Please forgive our pride and careless speech. Turn us from sin to trust in Jesus, and give us humble hearts that receive what You say. Teach us to pray for those who wrong us this week. Amen.