A Loss of Freedom for Everyone

Number 12:1-16

 

How often have you seen it play out this way?  After the death of Zipporah, Moses first wife, he takes a Cushite wife and his brother and sister begin questioning his leadership.  This stops everything!

 

Moses, Miriam and Aaron are called by God to meet him at the Tabernacle like three school children pulled from a fight.  God addresses this issue head on.  The real issue isn’t Moses’ wife but what kind of leader he was and in particular what kind of prophet he was.  “Hadn’t God spoken through them as well?”  That kind of division is a cancer to a leadership team.  Or should I say it is an encumbrance that restricts the freedom and impact of a leadership team.

 

The entire mission was set back because of the division at the core.  Not only did Miriam need to experience the leprosy of her divisiveness (notice the imagery between leprosy and divisiveness), but the entire community had to experience the impact of her sin.  That is the reality of leadership.  The leader’s slavery and brokenness  becomes the followers problem. 

 

Do you lead?  A family? An organization? A friend or sibling?  A ministry?   Stay clear of encumbrance, for your slavery will become slavery for those whom you lead.