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The Most Satanic Trait, April 9
Numbers 12
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before
envy?
Proverbs 27:4
.
Their [Miriam’s and Aaron’s] accusations were borne by Moses in uncom-
plaining silence. It was the experience gained during the years of toil and waiting
in Midian—the spirit of humility and long-suffering there developed—that pre-
pared Moses to meet with patience the unbelief and murmuring of the people
and the pride and envy of those who should have been his unswerving helpers.
Moses “was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the
earth,” and this is why he was granted divine wisdom and guidance above all
others. Says the Scripture, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek
will he teach his way” (
Psalm 25:9
). The meek are guided by the Lord, because
they are teachable, willing to be instructed....
“And Jehovah came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door
of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam.” ... “And the anger of the
Lord was kindled against them; and he departed.” The cloud disappeared from
the tabernacle in token of God’s displeasure, and Miriam was smitten. She
“became leprous, white as snow.” ... Now, their pride humbled in the dust, Aaron
confessed their sin, and entreated that his sister might not be left to perish by that
loathsome and deadly scourge. In answer to the prayers of Moses the leprosy
was cleansed. Miriam was, however, shut out of the camp for seven days....
This manifestation of the Lord’s displeasure was designed to be a warning
to all Israel, to check the growing spirit of discontent and insubordination. If
Miriam’s envy and dissatisfaction had not been signally rebuked, it would have
resulted in great evil. Envy is one of the most satanic traits that can exist in
the human heart, and it is one of the most baleful in its effects.... It was envy
that first caused discord in heaven, and its indulgence has wrought untold evil
among men. “Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work” (
James 3:16
)
[106]
13
Ibid., 384, 385
.
108