Hazeroth Moments - Unexpected Opposition

This post is for my colleagues in ministry, but it will benefit everyone. I recently read through the books of Exodus and Numbers from the Bible. Many things caught my attention, but what stood out was the Hazeroth moment in Moses’ life. Moses was a humble man who was given the enormous task of leading the people out of Egypt. This was not something he signed by himself. He was explicitly asked by God to do it. He tried to get out of this assignment but was not given an option to opt-out.

During the journey in the wilderness, Moses faced many challenges and opposition from people. He had a Kibroth-hattaavah experience in which people complained about not having meat, and the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. I feel sad about it, but I felt like his brother Aaron and sister Miriam were with him most of the time.

Something which happened is recorded in Numbers 12.

Numbers 12:1-3 (NLT)

While at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. 2 They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. 3 (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)

I have read this passage many times, but it just hurt me this time. Own brother and sister turned against Moses. Whatever the reason with his wife, the point they raised is something different. The issue was with their sister-in-law, but they questioned the integrity and sincerity of Moses’ ministry. God has spoken through them also and not just Moses.

When we read about everything which happened before that, we know what a foolish statement they were making. What Moses did and what they did cannot be compared at any level. Here they were opposing Moses for no real reason. This is a pattern we see even today. Let me share a few points which may highlight the issues.

1. People deviate from real reason and accuse leaders of something else.
2. Most of the time, the finger is pointed at leaders for anything or everything.
3. People say, “God has stopped speaking to you.”
4. Do you pray as you did in the past? Your messages were inspired in the past, but now it is not inspired. (I have heard that).
5. God speaks to us also and leads us also. We do not have to follow or listen to your words.
6. People try to prove that they are better spiritually than you.
7. People will make false statements to show that you are no more good or fit to do the ministry.
8. People will try to make groups to gather support. I may be wrong, but I felt like Miriam brainwashed Aaron to join this revolt.
9. People will spread rumors without a basis to accuse and prove their point.
10. Threaten that everything will collapse since God’s favor is gone from you.

I can go on with more statements, but I hope the point is clear. I will call these Hazeroth Moments times of unexpected opposition coming from nowhere. You trusted people and never imagined they would turn against you, but it happens. The people whom you thought would stand and support you till the end behave as if you are their enemy. Once this happens, everything you do becomes a problem, and all your actions become problematic. You cannot say and do anything since you will be misunderstood irrespective of what you do. It is a reality, and it can happen.

I have seen in my life that God uses these moments to mold and build us before giving us the next assignment. It is not to destroy you but to build you. Let us see what happens in this scenario.

1. Moses did not respond or go to fight with Aaron or Miriam. He did not argue about his accomplishments.
2. God called them and asked them to come to the tabernacle.
3. God gave a defense about Moses. They were asked why they were not afraid to criticize Moses.
4. Lord was very angry. 
5. Miriam was struck with leprosy.
6. Moses had to cry to the Lord for them to be forgiven and restored.
7. Miriam had to stay outside the tent for seven days.

In conclusion, the lesson we learn is that Hazeroth moments with unexpected opposition may come in your life. You do not have to react or fight it out. If you are humble and faithful, the Lord himself will take care of it. These moments are excruciating, but they will prepare you for something new in your life.  

Do not waste your Hazeroth Moments. In prayer, anticipate the next level of your ministry with confirmation from the Lord.