*Numbers 12:1-16
Miriam and Aaron criticize Moses for his foreign wife, but God intervenes and afflicts Miriam with leprosy.
- Miriam and Aaron’s Complaint:
- Miriam and Aaron, siblings of Moses, speak against Moses because of his Cushite wife, criticizing his choice of spouse.
- They question Moses’ authority and claim that the Lord speaks through them as well, not just through Moses.
- The Lord’s Rebuke:
- The Lord hears their complaint and summons Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to the Tent of Meeting.
- He addresses Miriam and Aaron directly, reprimanding them for their lack of reverence towards Moses, whom He has chosen as His prophet.
- Moses’ Uniqueness:
- The Lord distinguishes Moses from other prophets, emphasizing that He speaks to Moses face to face, in clear visions and not in riddles.
- He asks Miriam and Aaron why they were not afraid to speak against His servant Moses.
- Miriam’s Punishment:
- As punishment for her rebellion, Miriam is struck with leprosy, turning her skin white as snow.
- Aaron intercedes for Miriam, pleading with Moses to not let her be like a stillborn child, whose flesh is half eaten when it comes out of its mother’s womb.
- Moses’ Intercession:
- Moses appeals to the Lord on Miriam’s behalf, asking Him to heal her.
- The Lord agrees to heal Miriam but insists that she be shut outside the camp for seven days as a consequence of her actions.
- Miriam’s Restoration:
- Miriam is isolated outside the camp for seven days, after which she is healed, and the Israelites wait until she returns before resuming their journey.
Numbers 12:1-16 teaches us the importance of humility and not speaking against others out of jealousy or pride. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, but God reminded them that He chooses whom to lead. This shows us that criticizing others unfairly can lead to consequences, and instead, we should support and respect those God has placed in our lives. It encourages us to be humble, avoid jealousy, and trust that God’s plans are always right.
Numbers 12:1-16 (WEB)
12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman. 2 They said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn’t he spoken also with us?” And the LORD heard it.3 Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the surface of the earth. 4 The LORD spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, “You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!”The three of them came out. 5 The LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward. 6 He said, “Now hear my words. If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream. 7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?” 9 The LORD’s anger burned against them; and he departed.10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.11 Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, please don’t count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned. 12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”13 Moses cried to the LORD, saying, “Heal her, God, I beg you!”14 The LORD said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn’t she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again.”15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn’t travel until Miriam was brought in again. 16 Afterward the people traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.