The Book of Numbers – When Envy fills your Heart

In Numbers 12 we read about the grumblings of Miriam and Aaron against Moses.

Num 12:1 “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.”

Miriam and Aaron initially mention their issue with Moses being about his Cushite wife, but soon we realise this was not the real issue.

We read in verse 2 “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.”

If we look back at Numbers 11 for a moment about when the people complained about not having meat to eat. With their repeated complaints, we see Moses reach a point where he complains to God about the responsibility of dealing with all the people God had entrusted him to lead. And in response God takes of the spirit on Moses and anoints 70 elders to help Moses carry the burden of the people, so he would not have to do it alone.

“And when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesised but did not do so again (Num 11:25).

Miriam and Aaron’s grumblings come at the heel of this occurrence. Envious thoughts probably did already fester in their hearts but poured over when they saw God anoint others with the spirit and thereby giving them a boldness to question Moses’s exclusivity in him being the one who God spoke to as he led the people.

In verse 3, we read “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”

Wow!, what a characteristic to be described by. But beside that, this verse also informs us that Miriam and Aaron’s grumbling were not founded on anything found in Moses behaviour but arose purely from their own jealousy.

Miriam was Moses older sister, remember her playing a part in Moses’s survival in a basket when he was baby (Exodus 2). She was now a prophetess and a worship leader. Aaron, Moses older brother was the High priest. God had chosen and placed them in vital roles to serve Him, yet they compared and envied what Moses had.

Comparison creates a discontentment with what one has, and a resentment towards what another possesses. Envy is wanting what someone else has and that is what we see in Miriam and Aaron here.

Who comes to Moses’s defence?

The Lord himself. He comes down in a pillar of cloud and summons the three of them to the tent of meeting. He calls Miriam and Aaron forward and speaks directly to them.

Num 11:5-9 “He says, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

The Lord’s anger burns against them. We see God not delay in addressing this, and why is that?

In James 3:16 we read “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

The danger of harboring envy in one’s heart is that it sprouts other sins. Some examples in scripture show us this. Envy drove Cane to kill Abel, and King Saul to madness and numerous attempts at killing David.

We then read in verse 10-13 “When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous, it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away. So, Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”

Miriam’s skin became leprous, Miriam probably was the one who began this envious talk against Moses. Although we do not read it in the text, knowing that the Lord sees the heart and looking at whom God chose to punish in that moment does point to Miriam being the instigator. Miriam was a prophetess; God spoke through her too but not as he did with Moses. Did she wish to have that sort of communication with God, looks like she did but her desires led her to sin.

James 4:7 tells us to “Submit to God”, and that includes our desires. When we take our desires to God, he will help us examine our motives and be in alignment with what he wants for us.

Moses pleads for God to heal Miriam when Aaron cries out for help. Notice Aaron address Moses with respect, in a way acknowledging his position as servant leader called by God to be His prophet and lead His people. Moses does not hold resentment towards either of them but prays for Miriam. A reminder for us to forgive and be able to pray for those who hurt us.

How does God respond?

Num 11: 14-15 “The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” So, Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.”

The equating of her punishment to how a father would have given rebuke reminds us that God disciplines those he loves and regards as His children. Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days. It was a public rebuke; it was not something that could be kept between the three of them and God especially as the people had to stay there till she was brought back to camp.

Leprosy was not the flu which would run its course and be all ok after. It was a death sentence and her being brought back to camp means she was healed and that would have been possible only by God. And this would not only have been a powerful witness for the people but for Miriam a truly humbling process.

Prov 14:30 says “Envy rots the bones”. Envy can eat away at our hearts. It starts with comparison; mix pride and selfish ambition in and it leads to a bitter heart with jealousy.

Lord, help us to examine our hearts, reflect on our motives and submit our desires to you. Enable us to lay our pride and jealousy at your feet and walk in humility and contentment.

God Bless.