“Criticism can lead even the most faithful astray. Miriam, a prophetess and leader learned this the hard way. Her story, The Sin of Miriam: Criticism and Its Consequences holds a powerful lesson that every follower and associate must read. What can we learn from her downfall?”

MIRIAM AND AARON BEGAN TO TALK AGAINST MOSES. THEY CRITICIZED HIM because he married an Ethiopian woman. They said to themselves, “Moses is not the only one the Lord has used to speak to the people. He has also spoken through us! “The Lord heard this. (Moses was a very humble man. He was more humble than any other man on earth.) So suddenly, the Lord came and spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. He said, “You three, come to the Meeting Tent, now!” God said, ‘WHY WERE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO SPEAK AGAINST MY SERVANT MOSES?’ The lord was very angry with them and he left them. The cloud rose from the tent. Aaron turned and looked at MIRIAM. HER SKIN WAS WHITE LOKE SNOW- SHE HAD A TERRIBLE SKIN DISEASE! SO THEY TOOK MIRIAM OUTSIDE THE CAMP for seven days. And the people did not move from that place until she was brought in again”. Numbers 12:1-8 (ERV)

The Sin of Miriam: Criticism and Its Consequences is another sin that God frowns at and releases his judgment swiftly on. It is the sin of criticism and jam-talking insolently to and against God’s anointed. The scripture tells us that Aaron was anointed as a High Priest and Miriam was actually a prophetess. “Then Aaron’s sister, THE WOMAN PROPHET MIRIAM”. Exodus 15:20 (ERV)

The three siblings were anointed servants of God in their respective levels, standards and jurisdiction. The scriptures confirm this :”I will tell you what I do, I sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam to you”. Micah 6:4 (ERV)

This verse puts them in order of ranking
· Moses was the spiritual father, senior man of God, General overseer and the set man
· Aaron was the high priest, branch pastor or in some sort a less-ranked minister of God.
· Miriam was like a church worker maybe one of the assistant pastors.

(This is just for illustration purposes) All these were somewhat how God saw them, yet Miriam and judge Moses. This was unacceptable irritable and obnoxious to God.

The Lord asked her a question which I think we should ask ourselves: Those of us who find ourselves trying to scrutinize older servants of God, trying to correct fathers in the faith.

“Why were you brave enough to speak against my servant Moses?” (ERV)

“Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (AMPC)

“So you should have been afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (EasyEnglish)

“So why did you show no reverence or respect in speaking against my servant Moses?” (MSG) Numbers 12:8.

God expects us to treat other servants of God with respect, dignity, reverence, humility and not try to be critical of their ministry, judge their teaching presentation, be rude to their personality. Once you are caught up in such a habit, you will definitely ruin and end your ministry. Beware of The Sin of Miriam: Criticism and Its Consequences!!!

Once God finished speaking, Miriam the prophetess was judged with leprosy. Although the Lord forgave her eventually after her healing and deliverance ministry ended and was never spoken of again, we never saw her ministering again.

My advice is don’t ruin or end your ministry by minding your business and keeping your mouth where it belongs. Be careful of the critical, judgmental and prideful spirit, expressing itself through you against older servants of God. It does not end well.

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Do well to get my book Sin of pastors for better read.
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