May 25, 2009

Text: Numbers 12

OPPOSITION IN MINISTRY

1. A Family Problem

2. Occasion    Numbers 12:1

a) Second marriage of Moses

b) Marriage to an Ethiopian woman

3. Opposition    Numbers 12:2

a) Miriam

b) Aaron

4. Expression of opposition
"So they said, 'Has the LORD indeed spoken through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?"    Numbers 12:1

a) Employing the name of the Lord

    i) For weight

    ii) Not necessarily because of "authority" from the Lord

    iii) For leverage

b) Basis

    i) Past experience Exodus 15

    ii) General ministry (unrecorded in the Scriptures)

5. Response from Moses

a) Nil

b) Reason for no response
Statement concerning Moses (valid editorial addition)
"Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth"    Numbers 12:3

THE LORD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CHOSEN SERVANT Numbers 12:4-10

1. Special manifestation of the Lord

a) Aaron, Miriam and Moses called    Numbers 12:4-5

b) Pillar-of-Cloud Glory    Numbers 12:5

2. Special declaration from the Lord
"Hear now My words..."    Numbers 12:6a

a) The calling of a prophet

b) The ministry of a prophet (word from God)

    i) Vision

    ii) Dream

c) The special position of Moses

    i) Faithful servant    Numbers 12:7

    ii) Face to face    Numbers 12:8a

    iii) Plain speaking    Numbers 12:8b

    iv) He sees the form of the LORD    Numbers 12:8c

d) There should have been a special regard for Moses
"Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?"    Numbers 12:8d

3. Anger of the Lord

a) Declared Numbers 12:9

b) Expressed in the form of a severe punishment of Miriam (the instigator)

c) Miriam was struck down with leprosy    Numbers 12:10

4. Desperate Plea of Aaron    Numbers 12:11-12

5. Intercession of Moses
"Please heal her, O God, I pray!"    Numbers 12:13

6. Granting of request by Moses    Numbers 12:14