Thurs., 5/5/16 Devotion (Num. 12:1a, 2a)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 12:1a & 2a, where we read these words:

"Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian wo-man whom he had married . . . So they said, 'Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? . . . ' "

As we take a look at these two phrases above, we learn something. Aaron's and Miriam's problem with their brother (Moses) was that he had gone off and married an Ethiopian woman. They did not like this for some reason. Maybe they were prejudiced against Ethiopians (or Cushites). But let us note *what* Aaron and Miriam do: they make their statement about those through whom God speaks as a *pretense* (with regard to what it was that *really* bothered them).

This is a very common practice among sinners of all sorts—even religious ones. What they say is not really the issue. Let us keep this principle in mind as we deal with people, especially if we are in any kind of leadership position. Let us try to understand what the real "rub" is, and not be duped by "straw men."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Bend the greatest strength of your heart in [ferv-ent] prayer to God against the corruption that troubles you the most.” —Chris-topher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]