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Num. 12-13
I have a lot of questions regarding this story with Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. But God’s remark to Miriam and Aaron, “Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?” (Num. 12:8c), made me think of Paul’s words in Romans. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls” (Rom. 14:4a-b). Paul was addressing the “holier than thou” attitude that is all too common in the Church when one Christian criticizes the walk of another. This is essentially what Miriam and Aaron did with Moses. Paul followed God’s lead in his reaction to such an attitude, and we see it also in the Proverbs. “Do not slander a slave to his master, or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.” (Pr. 30:10).
All three references mention criticizing a servant. Yet we see that God spoke with Moses mouth to mouth, not just in dreams or visions. Which tells me Moses was more to God than a mere servant. So it is with all who believe in the name of Jesus Christ. We are more than mere servants; we are sons and daughters of God. So who are we indeed to say that we are a better son or daughter than another? When we criticize and put down fellow believers, especially in an effort to lift ourselves up, we dishonor and displease God. And I believe we should be very afraid to do that.
Ps. 49
“No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him – for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever” (Ps. 49:7-8). This applies, not just to one’s brother, but also to one’ self. It doesn’t matter how much a person has or does, or who he is. We cannot save ourselves or each other. Peter said it well in Acts 4:12. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Is. 2
I see the coming together of Christ’s Church from all the nations in this prophecy. “The mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains…and all the nations will stream to it.” (Is. 2:3a). That’s us – the Gentiles – streaming to God through Jesus. And then, “Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.” (Is. 2:5). That is the Jews returning to God through the same Jesus.
The passage continues to say, “For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob” (Is. 2:6a). It then goes on to speak of how the house of Jacob became like all the other nations in their deviance against God. This statement seems to refer to God’s rejection of the house of Jacob, but I see more in it. I see that those from among the house of Jacob who desire to walk in God’s light also turn from what the house of Jacob became. As most of the house joins with the other nations in going their own way, the true Jewish people of God leave them and join with those from the other nations who come to dwell with God.
Interestingly, Paul expresses this same truth in three of his letters. “There is neither Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28). “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all” (Rom. 10:12). And, “…there is no distinction between Greek and Jew…but Christ is all, and in all.” (Col. 3:11). One mountain, and one people of God, whom He will raise up through the one sacrifice of His One True Son, Jesus Christ.