You Have a Place at Grace - 6/8/2025

Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it (Numbers 12:2-3).

A literal translation from the Hebrew reads “And Miriam spoke and Aaron against Moses.” The verb “spoke” has the feminine verbal prefix referring to Miriam, evidence suggesting Miriam led the charge against Moses (she’s also mentioned before Aaron). Aaron again fails to thwart rebellion as he did in the incident with the golden calf. But God’s judgment ultimately falls on Miriam. She suffers the penalty for her rebellion against God’s chosen servant (she becomes leprous). Moses is a prophet like no other, for to him God speaks directly as opposed to using visions and dreams (Num.12:7-8).

Miriam’s invective against Moses is only common to the Old Adam, who despises what God has ordained. For the Israelites Moses was selected to lead and prophesy the Word when Miriam chafed against this idea. “Why him and not us?” was her question rooted in disdain for the works of God. Such an idea sadly persists. Miriam’s desire for something God had not given her is the horrid spirit of feminism seeking things God hasn’t authorized. This happens in women despising the gifts of marriage and children while demanding headship for themselves over submissive men, a gross perversion of the divine order. But we also see this desire in the church when God’s institution of the Office falls under scorn by those seeking it for themselves without divine approval. The Office of Pastor is for men called into the Office by God. It’s not an office to which men arrogate themselves by the question “why him and not us?” The Scriptures are too clear when stating women have not been authorized by God to hold the Pastoral Office. Men, too, aren’t free to play pastor without being summoned to the task by God and confirmed by the Church, an example of which we find in the calling of St. Paul. He doesn’t go rogue but finds approval from the disciples before the commencement of his ministry to the Gentiles. The writer of Hebrews says: “no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was” (Hebrews 5:4).

What do we take from all this? One, humility. What God ordains is always good, and pride must always give way to repentance seeking aid and guidance from God alone. Usurpation of God’s law never ends well. Two, the Word is how God deals with sinners. What has he said in these Scriptures we call holy?—such is where we go to hear His voice defining our lives, our vocations, our work towards others as either male or female, both established by He Who has our days in His hands. Three, forgiveness. Aaron pleaded for Miriam who received mercy from God and was allowed back in the camp. Such is the mercy of God. Our wretched mistakes, consequences, sins and guilt fall under the blood of Jesus, Who still calls us to repent and believe in He Who is still the Author life and perfector of faith (Heb. 12:2).

-by Rev. Ryan J. Ogrodowicz, “You Have a Place at Grace” June 8th, 2025.

Grace Lutheran Church - Brenham, Texas

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod