DCLM Higher Everyday 18 April 2024 — Punishment For Loose Lips
Topic: Punishment For Loose Lips
Text: Numbers 12:1-15
1And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
3(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
4And 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.
5And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
10And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
11And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
12Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.
13And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
14And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
15And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
Key Verse: “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman…And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed” (Numbers 12:1,9).
Message
Our text shows God’s rebuke on the wrong use of the tongue. Miriam and Aaron threw caution to the winds and forgot that they were not to speak evil of others. They spoke against Moses’ marriage and undermined his leadership authority by equating themselves to Moses their leader. It is clear that they did not speak out of love. God was not pleased with them. Miriam was immediately struck with leprosy. For seven days the journey of the whole nation of Israel was halted because of the misuse of the tongue by Miriam and Aaron.
The tongue is little but can be destructive if the user is a sinner. Just as Miriam and Aaron’s tongues delayed a whole nation for seven days, a wrong use of the tongue can delay or destroy destinies, families or nations. The tongue can also defile a careless Christian (James 3:1-12). God hates evil speaking. The Bible says; “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Surrender to Christ for a wholesome tongue.
Quote: God hates evil speaking
Challenge: Shun the wrong use of the tongue.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, set a watch before my mouth, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
