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A critical spirit

 [WOMEN of the Old Testament] 

MIRIAM: Constructive or critical feedback_ 

Numbers 12 

 
Who hasn’t been critical of someone else before and said either aloud or inwardly, “Who do they think they are?!” Often we don’t know or understand the details of someone’s actions or have all the facts.  

[Group discussion starter] Think about times when you have been critical of another person. With hindsight, what was the cause of the criticism? 

What is the difference between discernment and criticism? 

 
When Israel left Egypt, they had little to no understanding of a national identity or how to follow a chosen leader. Moses’ job wasn’t easy. He needed all the support he could get, and the people needed a continual reassurance that Moses was God’s chosen leader to take them to the Promised Land.  
Imagine what could have happened to Moses’ confidence, and to the people’s confidence, when members of Moses’ own family start to criticize his leadership... 

 

[Read Numbers 12] 

 

In the first two verses, what two criticisms do Miriam and Aaron have about Moses? 

 

 
What do these criticisms tell us about Moses’ attitude? 
How does Miriam and Aaron’s view differ from God’s evaluation of Moses? 

 

 
[Activity] Look at Exodus 2:1-8, 15:20-21 and Micah 6:4. 
How important was Miriam’s role in the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt? 

 

 
Miriam and Aaron’s attack on their brother could have been provoked by Moses appointing seventy elders over Israel (Numbers 11:16-17). 
How might this appointment of elders affect their status and feelings? 

 

 
How do you feel when your status or position is threatened? 
What is your reaction? 

 

 
In verses 4-10, how does God respond to the criticisms of Miriam and Aaron? 

 

 
Why do you think that God summons all three of them before him? 

 

 
In verses 10-13, what do we learn about Aaron and Moses from their response to this traumatic event? 

 

 
Why do you think that God carried out a seven-day punishment for Miriam (verses 14-15)? 
Why didn’t God punish Aaron in the same way? 

 

 
Why is the criticism of spiritual leaders especially dangerous? 
 

 
How do you respond to knowing that the Lord hears the criticisms you make against others? 

 
Thinking back to how you answered the opening discussion question, and after reading this passage in Numbers, how do you recognise the difference between offering constructive criticism with love and being openly critical? 

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