Living Room Study

Deuteronomy 24

“Be careful in a case of infectious skin disease, following carefully everything the Levitical priests instruct you to do.  Be careful to do as I have commanded them.  Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the Journey after you left Egypt.”  Deut 24: 8-9

On a causal fly-over, today’s passage could be interpreted in a number of ways.  But because the Lord included a reference to Miram, we have a better understanding as to what He was trying to communicate.   Let’s revisit the story of Miriam’s leprosy.

“When the two of them (Aaron & Miriam) came forward, the Lord said, ‘Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.  Not so, with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My household.  I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.  So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, Moses?’  The Lord’s anger burned against them, and He left.  As the cloud moved away from the tent, Miriam’s skin suddenly became diseased, as white as snow.”  Numbers 12: 5b-10a

Here’s the scenario:  Miriam and Aaron were Moses’ elder siblings.  Aaron was first born, so it was his “birthright” to lead their family, spiritually.  Miriam was the older sister who had watched-over the floating basket, containing baby Moses. 

Given their elder status and their histories of caring for Moses, it seems logical that they would be compelled to “lead” him.  Familiarity breeds contempt.  In fact, it was their family relation to Moses, which presumed their right to criticize his decisions. 

Problem: Moses was God’s servant, doing only what the Lord directed him to do.  Questioning Moses meant questioning God.

Our present-day application is simple.  When you sin against God, by questioning His institution of leadership and/or His faithful leaders, watch out!  The Lord may allow you to contract some form of “leprosy”, either actual or metaphorical.  God will use your “disease”, to drive you to submit to the comfort, care & direction of the very ministers you criticized.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins