Miriam, my dear, I can so relate.

Miriam and brother Aaron, the older ones in the family, were ticked at baby brother Moses. To be sure, he's all grown up now and the leader of their nation. And he has been the catalyst in getting them out of Egyptian slavery. God got his attention one day, gave him a mission, and Moses accomplished it. That certainly is commendable. He has done all sorts of wonderful things for their people. And he loves God. But you know, there's something younger brother has done recently that makes older sister question his ability to lead.

"He went and married a Cushite woman. A Cushite! Someone who has just tagged along with our people, but really isn't one of us. How could he do this? You know, other people have heard God's voice besides Moses. Hasn't He spoken to us too, Aaron? I'm sure God must be displeased with Moses for marrying that woman. One of us should take over leadership. I bet God feels the same way we do."

Aaron and Miriam quietly began criticizing Moses behind his back. But Someone had Moses' back. God heard the grumbling, and was not thrilled with their attitude.

"Moses, Miriam, Aaron, come meet with Me at the tent. . . Miriam and Aaron, come closer to me. You know, I sometimes choose a person to be a prophet, to tell others messages from me. And when I do that, it is through a vision or a dream at night. That's how they hear My voice. But it's completely different with Moses. With Moses, we speak face to face. He hears me directly, not in mysterious sayings. So tell me Miriam and Aaron, why aren't you afraid to criticize My servant, this man I have a very close relationship with?"

No answer.

Well,the Lord, having a father's heart for us, was angry at His two children. He left them angry and when Aaron looked over at his sister, her skin was white with leprosy. Moses asked the Lord to heal her. Guess what His answer was? "If her father had spit in her face, wouldn't she be humiliated for a few days afterward?" So Miriam camped away from her people a short distance for 7 days. Then her skin was okay and she returned.

Miriam dear, I can so relate. Here's what I do that's uncomfortably like you. I look at someone in authority or higher responsibility and see something wrong, or something I think is wrong, and get critical. Then, to make matters worse, I am convinced God is right with me on this one. He's agreeing with me, in my imagination. I'm thinking God is opposed to the other guy, but in reality, He is opposed to my self-righteous judging of someone I'm not responsible for. Ouch.