“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife.”
— Numbers 12:1 (NIV)
Moses was the leader God chose to take His people on a long journey. Moses married a kind woman who came from a faraway land called Cush. She had beautiful dark skin, and Moses loved her very much.
But Moses had a sister named Miriam, and Miriam did not like that Moses had married a woman from another land. She began to say unkind things about Moses’ wife, just because his wife looked different and came from far away.
God heard every word Miriam said. And God was not pleased. He called Miriam and her brother Aaron to come near, and He told them, “Why were you not afraid to speak against Moses?”
God reminded them that Moses’ wife was a good woman and that Moses was His special helper. It was wrong to look down on anyone. For a little while, Miriam was sick, but Moses loved his sister so much that he prayed for her right away.
And do you know what? God answered Moses’ prayer, and Miriam got all better. God forgave her, and the family stayed together and kept on their journey.
God teaches us something very important here: He made every person, with every color of skin, from every land. We should always be kind, and never look down on anyone for being different.
The Big Idea
God made every person, and He loves us all. We should be kind to everyone and never say unkind things about someone because they look different.
Reflect & Discuss
- 1.Why was God not pleased with the unkind words Miriam said?
- 2.What kind thing did Moses do for his sister, even after she was unkind?
- 3.How can you be kind to someone who looks or talks different from you?
A Prayer
Dear God, thank You for making everyone special, in every color and from every place. Help me to be kind with my words and to never look down on anyone. Help me to forgive, just like Moses did. Amen.
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