One of my (many!) favorite genres to read is classic folk or fairy tales that have been updated with a modern twist. There are hundreds upon thousands of tellings of all my favorite stories from Cinderella and Snow White to The Wizard of Oz. I especially love when I find an updated version of an equally old, equally classic but not as well-known story, like The Goose Girl or The Tinder Box. I enjoy this in Bible Study too. Growing up in a Christian home, I have, at times, been arrogant enough to think I know all the Bible stories, so it is always fun (and humbling) when I find one I am not familiar with.
Such was the case when I read Numbers 12. I’ll summarize it for you.
The Story
The Israelites are travelling between Mt. Sinai and the Promised Land. Miriam and Aaron, the older brother and sister of Moses, decide they have a problem with Moses’ wife because she is a Cushite (some translations might say Ethiopian – either way, she wasn’t from Israel!) They start grumbling against Moses, arguing that the Lord has spoken through them too, and, at the end of verse 2, the Lord heard them.
I laughed out loud when I read this because the scene feels so familiar to me. With three young children at home, I spend a lot of my time refereeing. Much of the inane bickering, I tune out, but once in awhile I hear something that absolutely must be addressed.
The Lord calls the three of them out and appears before them in a pillar of smoke. My kids know it’s a big deal when mom has to stop what she’s doing to deal with them! He emphatically reminds Aaron and Miriam that Moses is not an ordinary, run of the mill prophet. Moses actually speaks with God, face to face and that is a big deal. He deserves their respect, not their grumblings.
The Lord leaves and Miriam, the instigator, is found to be leprous. Aaron and Moses pray for her, a nice, brotherly gesture of repentance. God agrees that she may return to camp and be healed in seven days. In other words, someone needs a time out!
My Take Away
I am sure there is a lot to unpack in this story, but what strikes me is how identifiable God is as a parent. I can picture his tone so clearly because I have used almost these exact phrases – Come out you three! Hear my words!
The fact is, so many times in my journey as a parent, I have responded to my children and been caught in a moment of conviction. Like when I tell my son to obey first or to accept my answer, or to just, please trust me! Isn’t that exactly what God asks of me?
Even in his anger, God shows mercy and patience to his wayward children. I am far from a perfect parent but I rejoice in having a perfect example to follow.
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