Numbers 12:2

New Living Translation

They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them.

For Encouragement

This is one scripture I love most. I love it because it is comforting to every leader of integrity. You do not have to worry about those who undermine your authority. The One who chose you to lead has your back. He sees and hears every insinuation concerning your leadership. Just humble yourself under His authority and remain faithful to the core.

Miriam and Aaron challenged the authority of their kid brother the Lord had elevated above them (Numbers 12:1-2). We have no hint of any hostility between the siblings until now. The choice of a Cushite for a wife by Moses did not sit well with the two siblings, so they spoke against him (1). Do you see how our choices can irritate others? 

Commentators are not conclusive on whether this woman was Zipporah, or that Moses had remarried after her death. However, Mrs. Moses seems to have gotten under the skin of Miriam, who may have felt her diminishing prominence in the community. I don’t think this was strictly a racial issue.

The Lord had authenticated the authority of seventy of Israel’s elders by anointing them to prophesy (11:24-25). The field was getting crowded, and Miriam, a prophetess (Exod 15:20), may have sensed it. Now, Moses brings in this lovely Cushite woman as his wife. You guessed it. The snake bites when it feels threatened. If you are a leader, you understand this very well. But why attack the authority of Moses as God’s mouthpiece?

You never know what people, especially your family members and friends—even your spouse — think about you until they connect you with what threatens them.

Moses is the one who brought the seventy elders to the Lord for the anointing, and he has married a woman whose beauty and position threatened Miriam. She gets her big brother Aaron to join in her verbal assault of their kid brother. Does it sound familiar?

“Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” (12:2).

Do you hear the voice of jealousy here? How long has this ugly feeling been festering? Now they talked against Moses,

“And the Lord heard them.”

I love it! The Lord heard them!

Not only did He hear them. He immediately came down and took care of it (4-8). He did not delay.

So, let me ask you. Why are you so worried about what people are saying about you? Why worry about it when you humbly and faithfully walk before the Lord? Do you know the pressure it puts on you to think about them and the terrible mistakes they could lead you to make?

When people talk against you, take heart, for the Lord hears. He will take care of them. Look forward and focus your energy on what you best best in the calling and unction of the Lord.