Divine Appointment

Passage: Numbers 12; 16-17

In the middle of the Book of Numbers there are three different stories that deal with the same theme: rebellion against God’s appointed leader.

The first story, in Numbers 12, recounts a conflict that arises between Moses and two members of his family. Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ brother and sister, have enjoyed a place of importance as the leader’s closest relatives. As it turns out, they assume that their proximity to Moses entitles them to some of his authority. In response to a disagreement with Moses, Aaron and Miriam ask, “Has God spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” They challenge Moses’ leadership. At this point the narrator interjects,

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth – a point that is essential to understanding this series of stories.

Immediately God calls a meeting. From the cloud God says to Aaron and Miriam, “Normally I talk to my prophets through dreams and visions. Moses is in his own category. I talk to him face-to-face. How dare you challenge him?” The cloud lifts, and Miriam is covered in leprosy – the physical symbol of the spiritual pariah she has become. Both Miriam and Aaron understand the lesson enough to ask Moses to intercede for them. He is, after all, the one who speaks to God face-to-face.

In the second story (Numbers 16), a group of Levites – the tribe whom God has appointed to be temple workers – confront Moses in a manner similar to that of Aaron and Miriam. Korah, Dathan and Abiram have also let their position of privilege go to their heads. They come to Moses and say, “We’re all God’s people. We’re all holy. Who are you to set yourselves above us?” Moses responds, “Hasn’t God given you enough? You’ve been set apart, and given the most important job. Now you want more? Aaron and I didn’t appoint ourselves. God did. But if you really want to push this, come to the Tent of Meeting tomorrow, and we’ll let God decide.”

They do; and God does. When Korah, Dathan, Abiram and their followers gather the next day, the ground falls away under their feet. The insurgents and their families are swallowed up in the sight of God’s people; fire falls from heaven and consumes those who aren’t consumed by the earth.

Ironically, this event fails to establish in the people’s minds that Moses and Aaron have been appointed to their positions by God himself. They continue to contest Aaron’s role as High Priest. So once again the LORD calls an assembly. He says to Moses, “Take a staff from every tribe. Write Aaron’s name on the staff from the tribe of Levi. Tell the people that the staff of the man I’ve chosen as high priest will bud.” Moses gathers the staffs and places them before the LORD. The next morning not only has Aaron’s staff budded, but it has bloomed and born fruit. God has inarguably demonstrated that Moses and Aaron are his appointed leaders. As Miriam and Aaron did in the first story, the people respond with appropriate awe and fear. They recognize the error they’ve made and the retribution they deserve.

Two things distinguish Moses from Israel’s leadership hopefuls. The first is his humility. Moses hasn’t sought out the role to which he’s been appointed. He’d just as soon let someone else do the job. He exhibits none of the ambition and pride we see in Miriam; Aaron; Korah, Dathan and Abiram. His ego doesn’t need the boost of being called “God’s chosen one.” This is precisely why God chooses him.

The second quality is Moses’ compassion for his people. Moses repeatedly appeals to God’s mercy when God is angry. Because of Moses’ intercession, God repeatedly spares even Moses’ opponents the worst of his judgment. What God establishes in each of these three stories is that he is the one appointing the leaders; and that he chooses according to unique criteria.

God has always chosen unexpected leaders for his people. Often the leadership qualities God is most interested in are the ones that go largely unnoticed. We’re drawn to leaders who are attractive, squeaky-clean, fast-talking and big-smiling. These are the kinds of people we appoint to public office; these are the people we see commandeering our fastest-growing churches. These also tend to be the people who are most attracted to the titles of “politician” or “church leader”. Those of us who find ourselves in these professions must take the above stories as cautionary tales. There is great danger in pursuing leadership on any stage, but particularly in religious organizations, in response to personal ambition or the need for validation. One cannot appoint oneself “God’s chosen leader.” That being said, God’s people must also be vigilant about the criteria according to which they choose their leaders. Look past the convincing speech and the flashing smile. Look for humility. Compassion. Perhaps even reticence. Look for the qualities and gifts God values most in his servants.