In the desert, Moses and Aaron were often ministering together and speaking to the people together. But it was Moses who met with God face to face and Aaron who was made the high priest (even though he let the people into idolatry with the golden calf when Moses was on Mount Sinai). (Exodus 32) Miriam was called a prophetess in Exodus 15 but she never had any official leadership role recorded in Scripture other than leading a song after the Red Sea crossing.
We must guard our hearts against desiring greater things for ourselves and from other forms of discontent. We should all be thankful for our position in life and the relationship we can have with God. In Numbers 11, the people turned against Moses because of their food. Now we see in Chapter 12, Moses' own brother and sister are turning against them! How about you? Are you struggling with submission to authority? Do you think you should have more power at home? At work? At church?
What do you think is at the root of this desire for power?
The spread of feminism and the escalation of the divorce rate has drastically changed women’s roles and attitudes in the family, workplace and other settings over the past 50 years. Most of our culture no longer agrees with the Biblical definition of marital roles. Anyone can abuse their positions of influence, but women are more likely to be fighting for a better position because our world is more apt to promote males than females.
So, whomever came up with this prideful, rebellious notion about Moses, Aaron and Miriam both agreed they needed to confront Moses. Their confrontation was supposedly about his Cushite wife. Moses was in Midian for 40 years. Of course his wife is foreign. Sometimes people will say that their issue with you is one thing but you can tell that, like an illness, it is just a symptom but not the real root of the problem. No, this confrontation was about who is in charge; it was about pride. Miriam and Aaron are jealous of Moses’ position and relationship with God. However, their racism should not be overlooked. Racism is a terrible sin against people who can’t change the way they were made and against the God who made them. (NIV Application Commentary p. 595) Reading this passage should initiate self-reflection on any prejudices we may hold. Confess any you find and ask God to help you see if there are any areas in which you think you are better than others.
First Miriam and Aaron talked against Moses behind his back, then they went to him directly. Miriam is named first, so it is likely she stirred up this discontent. Aaron joined right in. This is right after the 70 are chosen. Aaron may have been disgruntled for not having been consulted in this situation. Whatever the reason, they spoke against Moses then confronted him, asking, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?...Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” The answer to these questions is yes; however, Moses is the principle spokesperson and closest friend of God. Only Moses could ascend the holy mountain and see God face to face. Aaron and Miriam obviously had a problem with Moses' relationship with God, desiring to be the closest one to God.
Do we speak against our church leaders? Are we spreading discontent? Are we offended by the conviction that comes from the pulpit? Do we think we need more power or position? These are very serious questions to ask ourselves. God is not pleased when we undermine or refuse to submit to the authority that He establishes. We should also be afraid to speak against God’s chosen representatives.
Right after Miriam and Aaron question Moses, Scripture says that Moses is “more humble than anyone on the face of the earth.” Lest we think he has been prideful or lording it over the community and his siblings, God makes it very clear that he was a very humble man. Moses wrote the book of Numbers, so it may seem less than humble to make such a statement about himself. However, Peter tells us that “prophesy never had its origin in the will of men but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) God inspired Moses to write these words about himself. We can humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord; He will lift us up. (James 4:10) We do not need to exalt ourselves; God will exalt those who humble themselves. (Matthew 23:12)
Numbers 12:4 tells us that God immediately called the three siblings to the Tent of Meeting. They had been summoned to the Great Judge. At this point, I am sure Miriam and Aaron were struck by the enormity of their mistake. Now they would be disciplined. God rebuked them for opposing Moses. God told them that Moses had a special relationship with Him and they should have been afraid to speak against him.
“The anger of the Lord burned against Moses and Aaron…When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam—leprous like snow.” She had physical leprosy reflecting her spiritual leprosy. But, wait a minute; why only Miriam? Well, there are many reasons God may have had for only afflicting Miriam. First of all, Aaron is the high priest; he cannot be leprous at all, ever. He is called to be the judge of leprosy. Only perfectly healthy men without defect could come before the Lord. Secondly, Miriam is a woman; in these times, a woman was rarely in leadership. Her insubordination is more extreme for this reason. Finally, as mentioned before, it seems that Miriam was the instigator in all of this. The one who comes up with the plan bears the greater burden of punishment.
Aaron begged Moses to forgive them for their sin. He immediately admitted that they had been foolish. He is worried about Miriam. Leprosy is a terrible disease that eats the flesh. Ironically, the two that were just complaining about Moses being a closer representative to God are in a position of asking for his help and for him to approach God for them! Also, Miriam cannot even look upon God's face because of the leprosy. Since the leprosy is so evident, it must have affected Miriam’s face. “While Moses needs a veil to hide his glory, Miriam needs one to hide her shame.” (Matthew Henry) Moses immediately interceded for his sister. There was no hesitation. He did not rebuke either of them or speak up for himself in this entire confrontation. God avenges us; we need only trust Him.
The writers of the Expositor’s Commentary say: “In the highly selective account of Israel’s thirty-eight years in the desert, the story of Miriam’s attack on her brother is included because of how very important she really was…She preserved the life of the helpless infant who later became the great Moses, servant of Yahweh…She made it possible for Moses’ true mother to become his nurse when he was adopted into the harem of Pharaoh of Egypt…Miriam behaves badly in this chapter; yet so does Moses in a text yet to come.”
Aaron begged for Miriam to be restored to health. Moses showed his loving character by immediately interceding for Miriam with God. He cried out to God for Miriam to be healed. God said for Miriam to be put outside the camp in disgrace for seven days. Her confinement kept the camps from moving on. Our sin greatly affects others, even our whole community. This time of shame would allow Miriam to reflect on her sin.
We need to respect the roles we are given and the leadership God establishes in order to bring glory to God and honor to His name. When we do fail, we need to repent and reflect on our sin.
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