However, Miriam’s sin in this murmuring against Moses may have been greater than Aaron’s, may have been more of a personal complaint on her part. It may have been a case of woman against woman, with Aaron siding in with his sister rather than with his sister-in-law. (Num. 12:1) Miriam murmured against Moses because he had an Ethiopian woman for his wife. Evidently there was some jealousy in the matter. Moses was a prophet of Jehovah God, and his wife would partake somewhat of his glory. She would be respected for what Moses was, and she could be looked upon as the first lady of the land. Now as circumstances indicate, Miriam was the first lady of the land. When the Israelites came through the Red sea and Moses sang his song on the other side, Miriam took the lead among the women of Israel and led them in singing God’s praise and was counted as a prophetess in Israel. (Ex. 15:20, 21) That gave her the standing of first woman in Israel, and she evidently exercised some influence because of that. Perhaps her high station in Israel was being put in the shade by the wife of Moses, and it rankled. And while it was certainly not right for Aaron to criticize Moses, it was even more presumptuous for Miriam to do so, in view of the woman’s assigned place of subjection to the man in the congregation of God. So God punished her with leprosy, and that humbled her in the sight of everyone. For seven days she was on the outside, and then she was brought back and restored to her station. In time she died and was buried with restored respect in Israel and in the favor of God.

Announcements

“STRONG REFUGE” WITNESSING PERIOD

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) So spoke a God-fearing man some two thousand years ago at a time of great crisis. So, too, may God-fearing persons express themselves today, when there is “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out”. God, “whose name alone is Jehovah,” has proved himself again and again a secure refuge in times of stress. His watchful eyes scan the earth and take note of those who are devoted to him, in order that he may show his strength in their behalf. Such ones, knowing that his special purpose for these days is to make known his name, are anxious to let others hear of this great and powerful refuge. During the “Strong Refuge” Witnessing Period, occupying all of the month of June, there will be hundreds of thousands telling others about and seeking to aid them to find this refuge, by presenting the books What Has Religion Done for Mankind? “This Means Everlasting Life”, and any other bound book, on a contribution of $1.50. You, too, are invited to have a share in this blessed work.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO MISSIONARY WORK?

Have you ever dreamed of being a missionary? or longed to serve God in some such way? It is not only by going to foreign lands that one can do so. You can do missionary work by carrying the message of God’s kingdom to isolated territory that can be reached, possibly over the week end, from the place where you live. There may be parts of the territory in your vicinity where “this gospel of the kingdom” has been preached in only a limited way, or perhaps not at all. During June, July and August, you may share in a special missionary effort to reach such isolated places and experience the joy of bringing glad tidings to some who are as yet uninformed about these important things. Be a “missionary” during your summer vacation period, or at week ends. Write the Society’s office (address inside front cover), if there is no group of Jehovah’s witnesses in your vicinity that you can contact.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES

Week of June 1: 1914 a Marked Year!

Week of June 8: Determining the Year by Fact and Bible.

Week of June 15: Evidences of the Year’s Correctness.