{"id":3196,"date":"2014-02-06T23:01:18","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T17:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=3196"},"modified":"2016-11-28T18:44:31","modified_gmt":"2016-11-28T12:44:31","slug":"fear-numbers-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=3196","title":{"rendered":"Fear – Numbers, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why then were you not afraid<\/i> (y\u00e2r\u00ea\u02bc<\/i>)[1]<\/sup><\/a> to speak against my servant Moses?<\/i>[2]<\/sup><\/a> Jehovah asked Miriam and Aaron.\u00a0 The rabbis who translated the Septuagint<\/a> chose \u1f10\u03c6\u03bf\u03b2\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5<\/a>[3]<\/sup><\/a> here.\u00a0 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married (for he had married an Ethiopian woman)<\/i>.[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It\u2019s not clear to me whether they meant Zipporah<\/a>[5]<\/sup><\/a> and were dredging up ancient history, or if Moses took a second wife who was not descended from Israel [See: The Law of the High Priest Leviticus 21:10-15 (NET)<\/a>].\u00a0 \u201cHas the Lord only spoken through Moses? \u00a0Has he not also spoken through us?\u201d<\/i>[6]<\/sup><\/a> Miriam and Aaron said.<\/p>\n

The Lord said (Numbers 12:6-8 NET):<\/p>\n

\u201cHear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a vision; I will speak with him in a dream. \u00a0My servant Moses is not like this; he is faithful in all my house. \u00a0With him I will speak face to face, openly, and not in riddles; and he will see the form of the Lord. \u00a0Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I want to quote Philo of Alexandria, \u201ca Hellenized Jew,\u201d[7]<\/sup><\/a> on Moses, because 1) he lived in the first century (c. 20 BCE – 40 CE), a contemporary of Jesus; 2) he compiled some of the extra-biblical things the rabbis were telling themselves about Moses; and, 3) his writings were apparently influential to some of the church fathers.\u00a0 Here is some of what the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy<\/a> has to say about Philo: [8]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

When Hebrew mythical thought met Greek philosophical thought in the first century B.C.E. it was only natural that someone would try to develop speculative and philosophical justification for Judaism in terms of Greek philosophy.\u00a0 Thus Philo produced a synthesis of both traditions developing concepts for future Hellenistic interpretation of messianic Hebrew thought, especially by Clement of Alexandria, Christian Apologists like Athenagoras, Theophilus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and by Origen.\u2026In the process, he laid the foundations for the development of Christianity in the West and in the East, as we know it today.\u00a0 Philo\u2019s primary importance is in the development of the philosophical and theological foundations of Christianity.\u00a0 The church preserved the Philonic writings because Eusebius of Caesarea labeled the monastic ascetic group of Therapeutae and Therapeutrides, described in Philo\u2019s <\/em>The Contemplative Life, as Christians, which is highly unlikely.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI have conceived the idea of writing the life of Moses,\u201d Philo wrote, \u201cthe greatest and most perfect man that ever lived\u2026\u201d[9]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026shall proceed to narrate the events which befell him, having learnt them both from those sacred scriptures which he has left as marvellous memorials of his wisdom, and having also heard many things from the elders of my nation, for I have continually connected together what I have heard with what I have read, and in this way I look upon it that I am acquainted with the history of his life more accurately than other people.\u201d[10]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c[H]is father and mother were among the most excellent persons of their time\u2026\u201d[11]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 \u201c[T]he child Moses, as soon as he was born, displayed a more beautiful and noble form than usual\u2026\u201d[12]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 He \u201cwas not, like a mere child, long delighted with toys and objects of laughter and amusement\u2026but he himself exhibited a modest and dignified deportment in all his words and gestures, attending diligently to every lesson of every kind which could tend to the improvement of his mind.\u201d[13]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd immediately he had all kinds of masters, one after another, some coming of their own accord from the neighbouring countries and the different districts of Egypt, and some being even procured from Greece by the temptation of large presents. \u00a0But in a short time he surpassed all their knowledge, anticipating all their lessons by the excellent natural endowments of his own genius; so that everything in his case appeared to be a [r]ecollecting rather than a learning, while he himself also, without any teacher, comprehended by his instinctive genius many difficult subjects; for great abilities cut out for themselves many new roads to knowledge.\u201d[14]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

And when he had passed the boundaries of the age of infancy he began to exercise his intellect; not, as some people do, letting his youthful passions roam at large without restraint, although in him they had ten thousand incentives by reason of the abundant means for the gratification of them which royal places supply; but he behaved with temperance and fortitude, as though he had bound them with reins, and thus he restrained their onward impetuosity by force.\u00a0 And he tamed, and appeased, and brought under due command every one of the other passions which are naturally and as far as they are themselves concerned frantic, and violent, and unmanageable. \u00a0And if any one of them at all excited itself and endeavoured to get free from restraint he administered severe punishment to it, reproving it with severity of language; and, in short, he repressed all the principal impulses and most violent affections of the soul, and kept guard over them as over a restive horse, fearing lest they might break all bounds and get beyond the power of reason<\/a> which ought to be their guide to restrain them, and so throw everything everywhere into confusion.[15]<\/sup><\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So Moses was most beautiful, most intelligent and most self-righteous, according to the stories Philo heard \u201cfrom the elders of my nation.\u201d\u00a0 And in the Bible I read, Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than any man on the face of the earth<\/i>.[16]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I can imagine how difficult it was for the most humble man on the face of the earth<\/i> to write that sentence.\u00a0 One of the translators of the NET mused on this in a note<\/a>:[17]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Humility is a quality missing today in many leaders.\u00a0 Far too many are self-promoting, or competitive, or even pompous<\/a>.\u00a0 The statement in this passage would have been difficult for Moses to write \u2013 and indeed, it is not impossible that an editor might have added it.\u00a0 One might think that for someone to claim to be humble is an arrogant act.\u00a0 But the statement is one of fact \u2013 he was not self-assertive (until Num 20 when he strikes the rock).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But it is impossible for me to imagine that the most humble man on the face of the earth<\/i> refused to write that sentence if the Lord told him to write it, face to face.\u00a0 Though first century religious thinkers may have found it impossible to imagine that Jehovah could have such a profound relationship with anyone who was anything other than most beautiful, most intelligent and most self-righteous, I\u2019m betting on the Bible and most humble.\u00a0 I think the facts bear me out.<\/p>\n

When the Israelites tired of eating manna and cried out for meat, Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and when the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, Moses was also displeased<\/i>.[18]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0And Moses said to the Lord<\/i> (Numbers 11:11-15 NET):<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy have you afflicted your servant? \u00a0Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of this entire people on me? \u00a0Did I conceive this entire people? \u00a0Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, \u2018Carry them in your arms, as a foster father bears a nursing child,\u2019 to the land which you swore to their fathers? \u00a0From where shall I get meat to give to this entire people, for they cry to me, \u2018Give us meat, that we may eat!\u2019 \u00a0I am not able to bear this entire people alone, because it is too heavy for me! \u00a0But if you are going to deal with me like this, then kill me immediately. \u00a0If I have found favor in your sight then do not let me see my trouble.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>The Lord told Moses to select seventy elders of the people, and said, I will take part of the spirit that is on you, and will put it on them, and they will bear some of the burden of the people with you, so that you do not bear it all by yourself<\/i>.[19]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This is the first I\u2019ve heard that God\u2019s Spirit was on Moses.\u00a0 It was stated explicitly of Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan (Exodus 31:1-11 NET):<\/p>\n

The Lord spoke to Moses: \u201cSee, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze, and with cutting and setting stone, and with cutting wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship. \u00a0Moreover, I have also given him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, and I have given ability to all the specially skilled, that they may make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, the atonement lid that is on it, all the furnishings of the tent, the table with its utensils, the pure lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar for the burnt offering with all its utensils, the large basin with its base, the woven garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons, to minister as priests, the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the Holy Place. They will make all these things just as I have commanded you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Only sixty-eight of the seventy elders Moses chose appeared before the Lord at the Tabernacle.\u00a0 When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but did not do so again<\/i>.[20]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Eldad and Medad, two who were among those in the registration<\/i>, but had remained behind prophesied in the camp<\/i>.[21]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0When Joshua heard about it, he said, \u201cMy lord Moses, stop them!\u201d<\/i>[22]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The most humble man on the face of the earth<\/i> replied, \u201cAre you jealous for me?\u00a0 I wish that all the Lord\u2019s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!\u201d<\/i>[23]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Why then were you not afraid<\/i> (y\u00e2r\u00ea\u02bc<\/i>) to speak against my servant Moses?<\/i> Jehovah asked Miriam and Aaron.\u00a0 As He departed He helped them acquire the fear they lacked.\u00a0 Miriam became leprous as snow<\/i>.[24]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Immediately Aaron begged Moses, \u201cO my lord, please do not hold this sin against us, in which we have acted foolishly and have sinned! \u00a0Do not let her be like a baby born dead, whose flesh is half-consumed when it comes out of its mother\u2019s womb!\u201d<\/i>[25]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The most humble man on the face of the earth<\/i> cried to the Lord, \u201cHeal her now, O God.\u201d<\/i>[26]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

But the Lord<\/i> said to Moses, \u201cIf her father had only spit in her face, would she not have been disgraced for seven days? \u00a0Shut her out from the camp seven days, and afterward she can be brought back in again.\u201d \u00a0So Miriam was shut outside of the camp for seven days, and the people did not journey on until Miriam was brought back in<\/i>.[27]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Fear – Numbers,\u00a0Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 1<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n

<\/a>[2]<\/sup> Numbers 12:8b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[3]<\/sup> \u03a6\u03bf\u03b2\u03ad\u03c9,<\/strong> <\/b>aorist, middle, indicative, plural, second\u00a0 http:\/\/en.wiktionary.org\/wiki\/%CF%86%CE%BF%CE%B2%CE%AD%CF%89<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[4]<\/sup> Numbers 12:1 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[5]<\/sup> Exodus 2:21 (NET)<\/a>; http:\/\/www.jewishencyclopedia.com\/articles\/15271-zipporah<\/a>; http:\/\/fontes.lstc.edu\/~rklein\/Documents\/did_moses_marry_a_cushite.htm<\/a>; http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/encyclopedias\/isbe\/cushite-woman-ethiopian-woman.html<\/a>; http:\/\/thinkingtorah.com\/the-mystery-of-the-cushite-woman\/<\/a>; http:\/\/www.firstchurchoftheinternet.org\/jng\/ethiopian.htm<\/a>; http:\/\/haroldmillerjr.com\/2014\/05\/31\/another-look-at-moses-and-the-ethiopian-wife\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Numbers 12:2 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[7]<\/sup> http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/philo\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[8]<\/sup> http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/philo\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[9]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, I. (1) http:\/\/www.earlychristianwritings.com\/yonge\/book24.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[10]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, I. (4)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, II. (7)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[12]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, III. (9)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[13]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, V. (20)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, V. (21, 22)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[15]<\/sup> Philo, On The Life of Moses<\/i>, I, VI. (25, 26)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[16]<\/sup> Numbers 12:3 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[17]<\/sup> Note 9, sn<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[18]<\/sup> Numbers 11:10 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[19]<\/sup> Numbers 11:17 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[20]<\/sup> Numbers 11:25b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[21]<\/sup> Numbers 11:26 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[22]<\/sup> Numbers 11:28 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[23]<\/sup> Numbers 11:29 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[24]<\/sup> Numbers 12:10 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[25]<\/sup> Numbers 12:11, 12 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[26]<\/sup> Numbers 12:13 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[27]<\/sup> Numbers 12:14, 15 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why then were you not afraid (y\u00e2r\u00ea\u02bc)[1] to speak against my servant Moses?[2] Jehovah asked Miriam and Aaron.\u00a0 The rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose \u1f10\u03c6\u03bf\u03b2\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5[3] here.\u00a0 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2356,2719,1240],"tags":[2263,2260,2261,2262,2264,2265,2266,2267,2256,2268,2269,2270,2271,2257,2259,2258,2255],"class_list":["post-3196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-numbers","category-section-three","category-the-fear-of-the-lord","tag-exodus-311-11","tag-numbers-1110","tag-numbers-1111-15","tag-numbers-1117","tag-numbers-1125","tag-numbers-1126","tag-numbers-1128","tag-numbers-1129","tag-numbers-121","tag-numbers-1210","tag-numbers-1211-12","tag-numbers-1213","tag-numbers-1214-15","tag-numbers-122","tag-numbers-123","tag-numbers-126-8","tag-numbers-128"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3196"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7419,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3196\/revisions\/7419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}