Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City Missouri United States for Wednesday 4 April 2018 - "Consequences: God’s Anger" by Sean Carr - Numbers 12:1-9

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City Missouri United States for Wednesday 4 April 2018 - "Consequences: God’s Anger" by Sean Carr - Numbers 12:1-9

"Consequences: God’s Anger" by Sean Carr - Numbers 12:1 Miryam and Aharon began criticizing Moshe on account of the Ethiopian woman he had married, for he had in fact married an Ethiopian woman. 2 They said, “Is it true that Adonai has spoken only with Moshe? Hasn’t he spoken with us too?” Adonaiheard them. 3 Now this man Moshe was very humble, more so than anyone on earth. 4 Suddenly Adonai told Moshe, Aharon and Miryam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” The three of them went out.
5 Adonai came down in a column of cloud and stood at the entrance to the tent. He summoned Aharon and Miryam, and they both went forward. 6 He said, “Listen to what I say: when there is a prophet among you, I, Adonai, make myself known to him in a vision, I speak with him in a dream. 7 But it isn’t that way with my servant Moshe. He is the only one who is faithful in my entire household. 8 With him I speak face to face and clearly, not in riddles; he sees the image of Adonai. So why weren’t you afraid to criticize my servant Moshe?” 9 The anger of Adonai flared up against them, and he left. (Complete Jewish Bible)
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“The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them” (v. 9). If God were a human being we would maybe interpret this as petulance or an anger so great that He was afraid of losing control. God left rather than doing something He would regret. I believe the reality is more subtle and speaks to a need in every human. Being in the presence of God is a glorious, life-sustaining, privilege, and for Him to leave us is punishment.
Yes Miriam would also suffer for seven days because of her role in the event. She was subject to a very real humbling before the community, but the real punishment was the loss of intimacy with God, not the leprosy. Sin always separates us from God.
We do not tend to think in these terms. We are inclined to expect rewards of tangible, earthy things. We expect to have blessings of good lives, material wealth and sound health. God wants us to view His presence as the reward. He wants us to enjoy and rest in Him as our comfort and strength. If we can find our rest in Him our reward will be great.
Hymn for Today: "Jesus Loves Me" by Anna B. Warner.
1. Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
2. Jesus loves me he who died
heaven's gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in.Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
3. Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, "Let them come to me."

Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! 
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. 

Thought for Today: “Pay attention!” [says Yeshua,] “I am coming soon, and my rewards are with me to give to each person according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)(Complete Jewish Bible).

Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Samoa.
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