Lessons from Numbers- the danger of rebellion (part 2)

The second rebellion I want to look at is in Numbers 12, where Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses: 'Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it.' (v1-2)

Just like the rebellion in the previous chapter, this involves words. It's another form of complaining. Again, I'm struck by the fact that I don't really view this as being that serious. Everybody grumbles, it's not that big a deal, right? But God intervenes again in this chapter, and again with a severity that initially makes me feel surprised. The LORD calls them into the tent of meeting, tells them how wrong they are to speak against Moses, and gives Miriam leprosy. God's words really highlight the issue of the sin here: 'With him (Moses) I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?' (8) In opposing Moses, Miriam and Aaron were really opposing God Himself. God had put Moses into his position of authority; for them to question that authority was to question God's wisdom and sovereignty and His anointing on Moses' life. It revealed an ugly pride on their part, that they felt there was nothing particularly special about Moses. 'God can speak through us too,' they claimed. But they weren't really focused on bringing God's words to the people; they were more concerned about status.

I really recommend the Revive our Hearts series of podcasts on Numbers 12 (the series is called 'Remember Miriam'). It contains some very convicting application of this chapter into our lives today. For me, I feel especially conscious that we need to uphold those in ministry over us, not pick holes in their leadership and criticise.

God uses this physical punishment of leprosy to force Miriam to see her need for Moses as a mediator; it's through his prayers for her that she is healed. But God still physically removes her from the camp for a time, and I think this too is a frightening picture of how God will intervene with those who are not obedient and humble before Him. He will remove them! Perhaps from ministry, for a time, or even for the rest of their lives. Rebellion against God's appointed leaders is never going to lead to blessing, and we do well if we guard our tongues to make sure we don't speak out against them too.

Are evangelicals 'fundamentalists'? Review of JI Packer

Post 9-11, the word 'fundamentalism' gives people a new sense of fear. To modern morality, any version of religious fundamentalism MUST be a bad thing. When evangelicals claim to believe the words of the Bible as the truth, the word 'fundamentalists' is frequently flung our way. So how should we respond?

J.I. Packer's 'Fundamentalism and the Word of God' is as fresh and relevant now as it was when it was first published in 1958. He argues that fundamentalism is often brushed off as a branch of Christianity, when in fact, it is the only authentic Christianity. Authentic Christianity is a religion of biblical authority. Only truth can be authoritative; only an inerrant Bible can be used, in the way that God means Scripture to be used. Subjection to the authority of Christ involves subjection to the authority of Scripture. ‘Fundamentalism’, in so far as consistent Evangelicalism is meant by this term, is in principle nothing but Christianity itself.

Christianity is built on truth, on the content of a divine revelation. It announces salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, but faith is only possible where the truth is known. The New Testament tells us that God has made provision for the communication of this saving truth. He entrusted to the apostles, and through them to the whole church, a message from Himself which conveys it. This is the Word of God, the Bible.

At the heart of the debate is the role of the Bible. Many people who reject fundamentalism do so because they consider the uncompromising demand for submission to what the Bible says as unreasonable. And this is very serious, at it is a criticism directed at evangelical principles rather than evangelical practice. In effect, these people believe that Evangelicalism is a form of Christianity that cannot honestly be held today. We must, therefore, strive to defend the faith that we believe to be the revealed truth of God.

In the climate of the current Anglican crisis, where the evangelical wing of the Anglican church is being criticised for being 'fundamentalist' and 'separatist', it is worth remembering that the Anglican church is founded on the belief that Scripture is the ultimate authority. The liberal wing of the church is not, historically, supported by the foundation of the church and the 39 Articles.

Unity between true Christians is vitally important to the life of the Church, but what Packer refers to as 'sham unity', the unity between supposed Christians and true Christians, is not worth working for. The wall is cracked because it is not all built on the same foundation. Packer's book provides a timely read in the light of these circumstances.