The Lord Heard
The Lord Heard
The Lord listened as Miriam and Aaron slandered Moses. Shama` means to hear with attention and understanding, and is the word used when hearing a judicial case. In light of what followed, the Lord listened in a thoughtful, even judicious way.[1]
Numbers 12:3 is a parenthesis. “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) This appears to be God’s thoughts, and like the opening remarks of a trial, it established the LORD God did not view things as Miriam and Aaron did. Seeing the complete picture, He knew the heart of Moses was pure.
Moses As Advocate
During past confrontations between Israel and the Lord, Moses had advocated for Israel, reminding God of His promises and of His mercy as he interceded for his people.
Moses also was a strong advocate before Israel for the Lord, who he reverenced. Zealous in his desire to uphold the righteous name of the Lord, he urged God to avoid making any judgment that might provide fodder for idolaters to mock and slander the name of Jehovah.
The LORD As Advocate
After Moses was slandered, the Lord stood as His advocate. “And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, ‘Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation.’ And they three came out.” (Numbers 12:4).
In that precise moment of time, the Lord spoke[2] suddenly. Without hesitation, He spoke. Suddenly denotes intensive power. His voice was sudden and unexpected,[3] evoking terror in their hearts.
When the Lord initiates something new and there is an infringement of His plan, He moves swiftly, with a suddenness that takes all by surprise. His suddenly’s draw attention to His priority, impart an important lesson, and re-establish a broken boundary.
The Lord Held Court
He appeared in the pillar of the cloud, stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam by name to stand before Him. Moses would not defend himself, so the Lord intervened as Judge and as Moses’ defense attorney.
The impression is of a court where the presiding judge calls the accused to stand up, and present himself before the bench. The pre-incarnate Lord Jesus appeared as Yĕhovah. When the unpronounced name of God (YHVH), Jehovah, “the existing One”, denoted in English as “LORD”, is used, it refers to the second Person of the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ (Henry Wright. Be In Health conference).
The picture is of the Lord standing as Judge to hold court and to present the evidence. He did not appear as Jesus, the Son of Man, He came as LORD God in all of His deity, and said, “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Nu 12: 6).
He called Miriam and Aaron to listen with purposeful hearing, with intention to understand, and obey His words (dabar). Christ, the Living Word, spoke; He arranged words in an orderly fashion to build and re-establish godly order. He stated He revealed Himself to a prophet through a vision,[4] speaking through a dream. But when communicating with His faithful servant Moses, He spoke “mouth to mouth”.
Miriam and Aaron compared themselves to Moses, they failed to acknowledge the Lord had made Moses as a god to Pharaoh, and He had made Aaron his brother’s prophet (Ex 7:1).
A Position of Honor
Now the Lord brought clarity. He established Miriam and Aaron stood on one side with the prophets. Then He lifted Moses into his rightful place of honor, because Moses was faithful in all the Lord gave Him to do.
The Lord listened and spoke suddenly. He drew attention to the boundary violation that occurred when Miriam and Aaron slandered His chosen vessel. He acknowledged each person as He brought fresh perspective. He is Sovereign LORD and chooses how He communicates with each person. The opening arguments were established. Moses stood in a high place of honor. Aaron and Miriam stood in a different place of honor, a position that had been defiled as they gave place to jealousy and bitterness.
In the next blog, we will continue with the Lord’s defense of Moses.
Have you have been treated with dishonor? The Lord has set your feet in a place of honor. You are His beloved. Rest in the truth of His love. Do not pick up an offense against those who slander you. They will stand before the Lord.
Do not feel inferior, nor stoop to slander or self-protection. Jesus sees the full picture, you only see part. Keep your eyes on Him. Let Him be your defense. Remember, with honor comes responsibility to walk in humility and reverence before the One who established your position in Himself.
[1]Heard: H8085 shama` masculine noun, verb – p.r. To hear, listen to, obey. (perceive by ear, have power to hear, hear with attention or interest, understand, hear of judicial cases, give heed, obey). Accessed 25 Feb 15.
[2]Spoke: amar #559. Ibid.
[3]Suddenly: H6597 pith'owm from H6621, instantly, straightaway. Ibid.
[4]Vision: H4759 mar'ah feminine noun. Vision: mode of revelation; mirror. Ibid.
