Friday, January 8, 2016

Reflection - Miriam's Critical Spirit - Women of the Bible

Source Website: http://www.wonderfullymadeblog.org/?p=75
By Raquel Rodriquez, Know Your Value — Wonderfully Made's (wonderfullymade.org), 19 June 2013


Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses
PHOTO: Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses
Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this (Number 12:1-2) .
Photo by Raquel Rodriquez, Know Your Value — Wonderfully Made's (wonderfullymade.org), 19 June 2013
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-HPzu2wcQ37MwURyjuPqdTsTXW0nU_smjvtLVuTdBHQT4YBnT-ubAzlSg8lhKymaflNeP9JwXVd0yfBZkP6Nr6bX7W2YKps5yZ2lmvTwtGSfFbH6ahqUEujFp1PNzLw9-R1M_crxC8w/s1600/criticism_pic.jpg
http://www.wonderfullymadeblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/criticism_pic.jpg
http://www.wonderfullymadeblog.org/?p=75


While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman.

They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So they went out. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say:

“If there were prophets among you,
I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions.
I would speak to them in dreams.
But not with my servant Moses.
Of all my house, he is the one I trust.
I speak to him face to face,
clearly, and not in riddles!
He sees the Lord as He is.
So why were you not afraid
to criticize my servant Moses?”

The Lord was very angry with them, and He departed. As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they travelled again. Numbers 12.


The LORD became angry at Aaron and Miriam.
PHOTO: The LORD became angry at Aaron and Miriam. And after the LORD left and the cloud disappeared from over the sacred tent, Miriam’s skin turned white with leprosy.
Picture posted by DWELLING in the Word, Tuesday, 8 December, 2009 at 2:00 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqG98gCKHp6VI0LylSfGsV4le4IhVApJjQ126hG3ipcltm6jj-I-F0HLx1KXGHbQt5IAeOIPLZjo1Jl5pXNKKbnVE5FeVpPmbLi6OupznGmOgZhFHmVeh1AtbzTPaCK6lZNE1p_hyphenhyphenRls/s1600/12-moses-aaron-and-miriam.jpg
https://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/12-moses-aaron-and-miriam.jpg?w=450
https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/157-numbers-12/


Miriam is Moses’ sister. She played a major role in his survival when Pharaoh’s daughter found Him in a basket. Later, alongside her now grown brother Moses, she led God’s people out of Egypt. When the parted sea collapsed on their enemies, it was Miriam who led the women in worship. Miriam as well as her brothers, Moses and Aaron, were prophets of the time. She wasn’t perfect, but she was chosen by the Lord to do great things.


Miriam is Moses’ sister. She played a major role in his survival when Pharaoh’s daughter found Him in a basket.
PHOTO: Miriam is Moses’ sister. She played a major role in his survival when Pharaoh’s daughter found Him in a basket.
Picture by Paul Delaroche, "Miriam and Moses" from Harriet Beecher Stowe's Woman in Sacred History published in 1873.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZPEDPc_PdMNKpRB9FVF-Eu9GZQxVOhs-4YN8-1MUJnEHHWRoBFxp2wrUxOBjhIUn54L4765b21oyJQPVpyzWFwEiBMWRjeIWRKCrfYhr6jP57SoUnrEJYHEkF3zWIEdTQ4PO93CETLU/s1600/MiriamMosesColor.jpg
http://www.twainquotes.com/UniformEds/MiriamMosesColor.jpg
http://www.twainquotes.com/UniformEds/UniformEdsCh10.html


His mother hid him in a basket in the Nile, where an Egyptian princess found him and decided to keep him.
PHOTO: Miriam wasn’t perfect, but she was chosen by the Lord to do great things. Her mother hid Moses in a basket in the Nile, where an Egyptian princess found him and decided to keep him. This child, of course, was Moses, who would grow up to become a great man of God and lead his people out of slavery. As courageous midwives, Shiphrah and Puah were instrumental in bringing to birth this part of God’s plan.
Posted in Moses HQ WALLPAPER, Moses In The Basket
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5CnIdFj1NyihwwOKVrdYRWIJUpyT4vZCHoDGunr6KgzhoCdHF2JUYk4Sj15Y-Yy-8KEyxJvM4t-VBjLFfW7bjpSB7FNHvM0nTm_-vS50JtivY9VSHmSxFVaUePpTRiPJAF3tsnxaKS4/s1600/moses-205497.jpg
http://wallbasehq.com/images/big/moses-205497.jpg
http://wallbasehq.com/53389-moses/


As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes 10:1

Miriam, like many of us, spoiled great wisdom and honor with just a little foolishness. Her imprudence was none other than a critical spirit. She was an expert at finding fault and focusing on it. Taking it a step further, she spoke her criticism to those around her. Out of the abundance of Miriam’s heart, her mouth spoke. (Matthew 12:34)


Miriam, like many of us, spoiled great wisdom and honor with just a little foolishness.
PHOTO: Miriam, like many of us, spoiled great wisdom and honor with just a little foolishness. Her imprudence was none other than a critical spirit. Taking it a step further, she spoke her criticism to those around her.
Image: Flickr user carulmare, CC 2.0., © 2010 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPHaFg5gPWI4xjyj0wRfqUkgnbcZ5NWkRuBHRk13aQnHpM04kAWURY_7EbhFfkFuBt8_DYWR8AdCPYCqF413KYCAvGOl1Y-gJu_vcgPrUYulvQIrWZmPDXQ241BBQA2LG5Tphl6dtjVo/s1600/hp-mark-hurd-ceo-scandal-should-teach-governance-lessons.jpg
http://i.bnet.com/blogs/hp-mark-hurd-ceo-scandal-should-teach-governance-lessons.jpg
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-hp-ceo-scandal-six-lessons-every-company-should-learn/


A critical person has an excessively negative attitude with harshness in judging, faultfinding, and complaining. Critics feel a sense of significance and power when they criticize. The heart of a critic is not the heart of God.

“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” Romans 12:10,13


Miriam – First Female Prophet
PHOTO: Miriam – First Female Prophet
God honored Miriam by including her in the group that met with Him at the tent of meeting. She was asked to meet with God as one of the leaders of the Israelites. The purpose of the meeting was to make sure she understood her place beneath Moses. It was not because she was a woman, but because she tried to give herself equal authority with Moses. God had already chosen Miriam, a woman, to be His prophetess. Miriam was punished to show the people that they should not rebel against God’s chosen leader.
Those who think that women should not help in the worship services need only look at Miriam’s life to see that God calls women to help with men in the community of faith.
Posted by mylordkatie on 27 October 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH6Cgpk-nYBWO8zop5SUCTvefsykMTZLvCKbsHXz34Abz0ZrIkqaV0uHCorSbIKkE5Ude2oIYHg_dYSrmXoVC9kldTvjP2nr6U-jr1gJVQflfmA_549X6zJIm462GfUf64DNP83L7euQ/s1600/miriam-prophetess.jpg
https://mylordkatie.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/miriam-prophetess.jpg
https://mylordkatie.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/miriam-first-female-prophet/


Miriam isn’t the only woman I know that is critical of others. Though I considered myself to be a positive and encouraging person, God revealed an ugly side to me. I condemn people and their actions. I am harsh. I focus on faults and ridicule others. I tear people down and their opinions when they don’t meet my standards. Truth is I am a lot like Miriam. In light of all the good that God does and speaks through me, I don’t fail to throw a dash of foolishness to spoil His work.


Miriam isn’t the only person I know that is critical of others.
PHOTO: Miriam isn’t the only person I know that is critical of others.
God revealed an ugly side to me. I condemn people and their actions. I am harsh. I focus on faults and ridicule others. I tear people down and their opinions when they don’t meet my standards. Truth is I am a lot like Miriam.
Picture posted by Susie saint (joyforlife) on Sunday, 29 March 2015 at 05:50
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq4PU5sD8KGpKQHv-nHEEzKRFWNcHTpgyqDI91PwHGnXXHadyx_93uVByjZ5y3yZ86THyNrcRcgbyMyKH4N3nrZ1uMTwc-ng1zaWgXuXkSMhZDgIY-CkDqszK3if_rdr03ndKI8mI33E/s1600/Sad.JPG
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfUaJKCGxQ6jILxK6RUgeiRy1o0bh4LMfefBr-tOLAT99RFxPPnmcaGshcRa0MMmDK32EzS7L5yvzx7pi-Tlskk1LuZsFMWircwX_UVZkNCF3R-T5k7YDoHNWEcILl2G2D_J7XYxuMOA/s1600/Sad.JPG
http://susiesaint.blogspot.sg/2015/03/complaints-department.html


God revealed my repulsive attitude through the help of a book called “Counseling through the Bible” by June Hunt, through the chapter brilliantly titled Critical Spirit. God is awesome, when He reveals wrong in us He also provides a way of escape to the path to righteousness. If you’re anything like Miriam and I, confess your sin to God and to a trust worthy friend.

June Hunt’s way of escape to the path of righteousness:
 
Identify your shortcomings – Psalm 139:23-24

Practice compassion for others – Colossians 3:12

Draw out the heartfelt needs of others – Proverbs 20:5

Offer acceptance to others – Romans 15:7

See the God-given worth in others – Luke 12:6-7

Praise the positives in others – Philippians 4:8

Refuse to wound others with words – Colossians 3:16

See the unmet needs of others – Philippians 4:19

Rely on God’s Word and God’s Spirit for wisdom – 1 Corinthians 2:13


Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook:
PHOTO: Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook: Providing Biblical Hope and Practical Help for 50 Everyday Problems by June Hunt.
Author: June Hunt. Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 15, 2008). Publication: March 15, 2008.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGmLuxb_y5mA38JYRSctYYH01OameePIGL0I9y_Jv6Fyv8g3h4_P6EDQGxAfol1zb5ZpFlp1-TO0PEDLfTCqGkki0yjvvlrkURuQctu99NImO43jGHNY7wCOrdbgJgxU3FMb07hphOnM/s1600/0a9855b058252f96cdd351c31adecc1c.jpg
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/179862578840445104/


Is there anything that could totally eradicate all judgmental attitudes–every single critical spirit? Yes! If every person would live out these few words of Jesus: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ Matthew 7:12.

I believe that God makes all things new. I believe that a critical spirit can be redeemed into a caring spirit, when aligned with God’s Word and controlled by His Spirit.

By Raquel Rodriquez, Know Your Value — Wonderfully Made's (wonderfullymade.org), 19 June 2013


Miriam was gifted, though she had human faults.
PHOTO: Miriam was gifted, though she had human faults. It is a temptation to compare our lives with the lives of others as Miriam did. We need to be content with the place that God has given us. We must also remember that leaders have a greater responsibility to honor God and others in authority as an example to those who are following them. When Miriam challenged Moses, it was not good. But God was gracious and forgave her. The people showed that they also forgave her and continued to love her by waiting for her when she had to go outside the camp. When Miriam repented trust was restored to her.

"Lord, We pray that we imitate Miriam's example of humility and faithfulness. Thank You for being gracious and forgiving our critical spirit. We believe that You makes all things new. We believe that our critical spirit can be redeemed into a caring spirit, when aligned with Your Word and controlled by Your Spirit. Amen."

Text posted by mylordkatie on 27 October 2014 from https://mylordkatie.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/miriam-first-female-prophet/
Picture posted by The Holy Scriptures, left that other site on 3/18/2012, 8:21:11 PM, Baby Moses And The River Nile, Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21wmEdCianlACE1RcQND0UskJ16lRgZx7_OidxvQazpNnGf1iotlRQCtJOY1ATgas3QQhsyF_ZS8hirGbbeASuEs3krv_njYeUE84BPMBYg_6IhNERsp_JAalub0wtzuAmh72ry5b_CY/s1600/baby-moses_3.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPEEMWMXbh6twMhOsvVbjH0OWOh6YqdDoylHKfHN-NjxIlwhelC1UY_De6CO2-1ZLaH92gwQ2di5pawJTpFH3KyhJ07_Ylfjxgof9wWvtVwp7FH1Xetqlur4HCxHF6Tnuirp-KIIv6YRa/s1600/baby-moses_3.jpg
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2860588/posts



Reference
NIV, New International Version, Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Corinthians 2:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A13&version=NIV

Colossians 3:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A12&version=NIV

Colossians 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A16&version=NIV

Ecclesiastes 10:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+10%3A1&version=NIV

Luke 12:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A6-7&version=NIV

Matthew 7:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A12&version=NIV

Matthew 12:34 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A34&version=NIV


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