Numbers

Numbers 12:1-3

Moses' brother & sister, Aaron and Miriam opposed Moses' leadership.  Some scholars suggest this came about because of Moses' acceptance of Eldad and Medad in 11:26.  We can't really know.  Miriam is called a prophetess in Ex 15:20.  These two saw themselves equal to Moses; anyone with brothers and sisters can probably understand this.  They spoke against Moses because of his marriage.  They were trying to disqualify him when God had not.  Cush is not necessarily Ethiopia, it could be several different places.  One of which is Midian (see Habakkuk 3:7).  This probably Zipporah but we can leave open the possibility of another wife. 

In verse 3 it is noted that Moses was very humble.  This is an argument that he did not write the book of numbers because he wouldn't note that about himself. 

Numbers 12:4-8

God called the three to a meeting at the tabernacle.  This was said by God to the three.  We aren't told how this was spoken to them.   Aaron and Miriam were called forward to the pillar of cloud.  I'm guessing their knees were shaking – what a moment.  God does call prophets through visions and dreams.  But God spoke to Moses face to face; that is plainly in conversation.  There were no riddles, proverbs or hard sayings.  Moses had the privilege of encountering God in a visible way.  This is seen in several places in Exodus on the mountain as well as in Deuteronomy. 

Why weren't they afraid to speak against Moses?  After all they'd seen and all that had happened, why would they suddenly try to disqualify him for Zipporah and qualify themselves.  I can only imagine it had more to do with brothers and sisters knowing each other's faults and failures over the years.  They knew Moses the timid man who didn't want to be a leader.  They clearly didn't think this through.

Numbers 12:9-16

The Lord's anger burned against them.  It's amazing how clearly they understood their error when they stood before the anger of God.  The cloud lifted and Miriam became ritually impure, right at the door of the tabernacle.  Aaron may not have been inflicted because he was the high priest.  He interceded on her behalf as did Moses.  

To have this skin condition was to be ritually impure and be set out of the camp.  That person was viewed as a dead man walking.  Life outside the camp was harsh and dangerous, not to mention lonely, separated from God.  It was a slow death.  If her father spit in her face, she would be unclean for a day.  Her offense was seven times greater against God. 

He asks them why they weren't afraid to speak against Moses.  Then God struck Miriam with leprosy.  Moses prayed that she be healed and God heard the prayer.  However, she would be unclean for 7 days.  This was equal to the uncleanness had her father shown contempt toward her and spit in her face.  She had to be the shame of her heavenly Father's contempt. 

© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater