Numbers 12

Verse 1

1. “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian (Ed. Cushite) woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.”

Did Moses have more than one wife? We cannot really tell categorically from scripture. Some suggest that the Ethiopian woman was Zipporah who did not have direct links to Israel. The Bible is relatively silent on the marriage of Moses during the exodus period. But, what caused this complaint? There are many guesses, but nothing that can be verified biblically, so it is best to leave the guesses to one side. All we really know is that Moses was queried by his family.

Verse 2

2. “And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.”

Though there are many guesses surrounding verse 1, we can imply from verse 2 that perhaps the election of the 70 might have something to do with it. It seems that Aaron and Miriam were jealous that Moses sought 70 elders to join him as co-rulers of the Hebrews. It is as if they were saying ‘Look! We have been with you so far and speak from God – why do you need anyone else!’ Then we see that “the Lord heard it.” The term suggests that God was angry by what was said.

Aaron in particular should have been more wary of complaining, for he himself committed a grave sin by allowing the golden calf to be built as a false god. But, sinful human beings are like that – we forget our own sins when we are ready to point out the supposed sins of others!! But, Aaron was so used to God using him side-by-side with Moses, he took pride in his association with his brother. And his pride let him down badly. The episode reminds me of the time the apostles asked Jesus who was the greatest…

Verses 3-9

3. “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
4. And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
5. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
6. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.”

The subversive complaint by Aaron and Miriam was not answered by either God or Moses. Instead, God would show them both that they had to face the consequences of making a complaint against such a mild-mannered servant of God. This is because God had instituted the 70, not Moses. So, during the making of the complaint (whatever it had to do with the wife of Moses), God suddenly broke into the situation and told the three to gather before Him in the Tabernacle’s outer room. This time, it is GOD Who made a complaint.

God said that He would speak to a prophet in a vision or a dream. And the recipient prophet would not have a choice in it – any conversation would be from God to the prophet, regardless of what others might say. Notice that God came in the cloud (in the holiest of holies) and then stood in the door between the holiest of holies and the outer room. In what form? We are not told. Perhaps the cloud moved from above the mercy seat to the doorway, but we cannot tell. He then called on Aaron and Miriam to step forward… they must have been very afraid.

God told them that Moses was far above all the prophets, and was greater than them all. He was also faithful above all others, and so God spoke with him face to face, speaking plainly and not in riddles. In his turn, Moses spoke the things of God openly, honestly and without favour, to the people. As such, Moses was a particular friend of God and deserved much better treatment. Against such a man, unique above all men, the family complained! God then left the doorway after showing His anger. The same anger is present when modern day pastors are badly spoken of though they have done nothing wrong. It is a folly noted by the Lord, Who appoints good men to their role, though they, too, are sinners. As His envoys they deserve respect and honour… but modern men and women are too used to being unflattering to others.

Verses 10-13

10. “And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
11. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
12. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.
13. And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.”

With the Lord not present, the cloud was then taken from the inner room. Immediately, Miriam was afflicted with advanced leprosy and her skin turned white. Aaron stood dumfounded by the sight. Clearly, God was punishing Miriam, removing any female beauty she possessed.

Aaron realised his error and pleaded with his brother, referring to him as his lord. Would he forgive him and Miriam? He acknowledged their stupidity and sin in bringing accusations against him. In reality, they had primarily sinned against God, Who had commissioned Moses in the first place. Would he please renew Miriam back to wholeness again? Moses did not bear a grudge, and called on God to remove the leprosy and heal Miriam, though she tried to poison family relations.

Verses 14-16

14. “And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
15. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
16. And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.”

God responded that Miriam’s father could spit in her face as a declaration of shame, so she must bear her shame for seven days. She was to remove herself to the area outside the camp and stay there for a week, suffering the leprosy and her shame. When the seven-day penalty was finished her leprosy disappeared and she re-entered the camp to be with her family. Then, the cloud moved ahead and the camp again walked onwards further east in the Paran desert. It is a salutary warning to all who deliberately scorn or disrespect God’s servants without true reason.

© 27 August 2024

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