This past week the ladies of our congregation resumed their Wednesday visitation program. Though we were few in number, we enjoyed a brief time of singing and studying God’s Word, and hopefully encouraging a weak sister. Julia Mwakabanje gave a good lesson on the character of Miriam. She pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses of Miriam. We were reminded of the event in Numbers 12, when Miriam and Aaron launched complaints against Moses. They were not happy with Moses’ choice of a Cushite woman to be his wife, and they used this complaint as a springboard for further criticism of him. They were jealous because of the high position of authority that God bestowed to Moses, and they wished to have this position. Did they consider the fact that it was God who set Moses in this position? In criticizing Moses, they were criticizing God.
It is no coincidence that Miriam was the one struck with leprosy. Just why did God deal more severely with Miriam? The first, most obvious reason is that Miriam initiated the rebellion against Moses. Another additional reason could be that Miriam’s leadership was limited to the women of Israel, but she was not content to stay there. There are numerous lessons to be learned from this event.
1) We need to think very carefully before launching criticism against a servant of God.Yes, there is a time and a place when it is appropriate, and even our duty to note those who are teaching error, but we better have our facts straight first.
2)Women need to be content in the role that God has given them. Women have a great role to play in the plan of God, but must remain within the perimeters God has defined. It is not a new problem, but it is a growing one – that is, women not being content in the role that God has especially designed for them, and taking on positions which God intended men to have. Sadly, this problem is not confined to the states, but is a problem that we must deal with in places such as Tanzania.
Joy, Enjoyed your post. I believe this lesson is very timely. It is very sad to see women pushing their agenda, pushing to ‘get their own way’. They don’t seem to understand how vitally important it is for our men to be what God designed them to be, and how their usurping that position demeans both males and females.