Numbers12:1 “Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman).” In Deuteronomy, the Israelites were forbidden to intermarry. There may have been something sooner, but I can’t recall. Moses’ marriage must have predated that. There were probably culteral expectations against intermarriage. Miriam and Aaron were looking down on Moses for it. We need to be careful about judging others. Jesus spoke against judging. He corrected the pharisees judgmental attitudes the most. Luke 7:39 “Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” The pharisee is judging Jesus and the woman at the same time. He misunderstood the heart of God. He was so bound up in rules and regulations that he couldn’t see people’s pain and he couldn’t recognize remorse. This is where Jesus was the least patient. He couldn’t tolerate leaders who couldn’t relate to people. Are we judgmental? Because we aren’t perfect, the answer is probably yes. Hopefully we aren’t intentionally so. This may indicate a hardness of heart which could put our regeneration in doubt. We need to be open to The Lord. As we read our bibles and walk with Christ, He points out areas and attitudes that need work. Sometimes the problems are visible, other times they are very subtle. The obvious ones will be pointed out first. The less visible ones come later. When one is judgemental, there is no empathy. The just see the rule and the perceived infraction. They don’t see the person and their needs. This doesn’t mean that the person didn’t commit a wrong. Paul tells us how we are to approach someone in error in Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” To correct in a haughty tone is to completely misunderstand our frailty. Paul says to look to yourself, lest you be tempted. We are vulnerable. Lord, help us to show mercy as You have shown mercy to us.