Criticizing God’s Leaders

It is dangerous to criticize God’s leaders. Consider the consequences for these men and women

Person/Situation

Result

Reference

Miriam: Mocked Moses because he had a Cushite wife

Stricken with leprosy

Numbers 12

Korah and followers: Led the people of Israel to rebel against Moses' leadership

Swallowed by the earth

Numbers 16

Michal: Despised David because he danced before the Lord

Remained childless

2 Samuel 6

Shimei: Cursed and threw stones at David

Executed at Solomon's order

2 Samuel 16
1 Kings 2

Youths: Mocked Elisha and laughed at his baldness

Killed by bears

2 Kings 2

Sanballat and Tobiah: Spread rumors and lies to stop the building of Jerusalem's walls

Frightened and humiliated

Nehemiah 2, 4, 6

Hananiah: Contradicted Jeremiah's prophecies with false predictions

Died two months later

Jeremiah 28

Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer: Lied about Paul in an attempt to turn the proconsul against him

Stricken with blindness

Acts 13