“Be Grateful For What You Have; Don’t Grumble Against Others!”

“Be Grateful For What You Have, Don’t Grumble Against Others!”
This week ws are dealing with God’s appearances and revelation(epiphanies and theophany). Moses, Aaron and Miriam were “God’s gracious provisions for Israel” (Cf. Mic.6:4). However Moses had the lead position with a special place in God’s heart. Ignorant of Moses’ special status, “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses” complaining that he had married a foreign wife. They justified their claims by asserting that God spoke through them as well as he spoke through Moses. True that God spoke with them because even in this text God spoke to all three of them. The differnce is between speaking to them and speaking through them.
Moses was special and different in his relationship with God. God reveals his presence to prophets in visions and speaks to them in dreams. With Moses his faithful servant he spoke “face to face, clearly and not in riddles…” God’s revelation to his servants do not always come with the same clarity. At times the prophet may not fully understand at the time the meaning of the mysteries(Cf. I Pt.1:10-11). But with Moses it was different. However, there is a sense in which all of God’s epiphanies (appearances) “is a picture and promise of the grand theophany, the incarnation of Jesus, both in grace and in judgment.”
God became angry with Miriam and Aaron and struck Miriam with leprosy. Diehard feminist theologians see in this story them perpetuation of patriarchy. They raise the question why God punished only Miriam and not Aaron also? (That’s a topic for another day).
Aaron acknowledged that Moses had a special status with God. He pleaded with Moses to overlook the sin they had foolishly committed and not allow Miriam in that state. “So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘O God, please heal her!'” (Num.12:1-15).
My friend, God reveals himself through the Holy Spirit to each of us. Appreciate the measure of his revelation to you and take your eyes off what he has done with the other. The master has the right to his generosity, so do not begrudge the late comers who are paid the same amount as you! God may be angry with you. Be contented with your share of the blessings.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to appreciate what you have apportioned to me and not be envious of others. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!