Numbers 12:1-3, “While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too? But the LORD heard them (Now Moses was very humble – more humble than any other person on earth).”
What do you remember about Miriam in the Bible? Don’t courage, bravery, a prophetess, and quick thinking under pressure all come to mind? When I read Numbers 12 about a year ago in my Chronological Bible reading, what struck me was how well it illustrated the problem of sibling rivalry, especially when a younger sibling is more successful than the older one. Critical conversations of, “It’s not fair!” But last week, as I was reading Numbers 12, I saw something I hadn’t fully realized before in this chapter. It points to the sin of jealousy, envy, slander, and gossip that Miriam and Aaron committed against Moses’s position and influence. Miriam and Aaron (Moses was their brother) desired recognition. They couldn’t find fault with Moses, so they chose to attack his character by criticizing his wife and marriage which Miriam took the lead in. God shows His wrath against their criticism of attacking Moses’ character in marrying a Cushite woman (prejudiced remarks) and was spiritually proud in presenting himself as the only spokesman of God to Israel, which was not true. God rebukes them in verse 7b-9, “Of all my house, He [Moses] is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the LORD as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” God was angry with Miriam and Aaron, with their sin that motivated them to make their accusation from their selfish pride, and for rebelling against His authority and sovereignty.
Miriam was the instigator, and her brother, Aaron, followed her into their jealousy of Moses’ top position as God’s spokesman for the Israelites, even though they were prophets as well. They were both foolish. Yet Moses didn’t fight back at their unjust criticism. It is thought that Moses may have just trusted God to handle this family drama, or he may have been so emotionally drained that he was too tired to deal with it. Have you been unjustly criticized at times? That is a hurt that can go deep, yet we cannot control other people’s thoughts, desires, words, choices, actions, and responses. We can only control our own.
So, God punishes Miriam with the physical disease of leprosy for punishment of her insubordination, which reflected her heart. Numbers 12:11-12, we see Aaron recognize the gravity of the situation, was swayed by his sister, and pleads for God’s mercy for his sister and is humbled as, “He cried out to Moses, “Oh my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.” Then Moses adds, who has been silent all this time: “So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!” Numbers 12:13. Both brothers had deep compassion for their sister Miriam. So, God punishes Miriam for her smug attitude toward not only Moses but also against God’s authority, with leprosy for the whole nation to know it, and then orders her to be outside the camp for seven days. The punishment was lenient, showing God’s mercy while exercising effective discipline.
How we need to pray for ourselves not to be foolish, as Miriam and Aaron were in this situation, which caused them much grief. The sins of jealousy, envy, and lack of contentment can often lead to making wrong and selfish choices. Miriam and Aaron were not perfect, and we see they had flaws, too. They made a pretty dramatic mistake in Numbers 12, and Miriam received God’s mercy for her sin through God’s discipline. Miriam and Aaron put their past sin behind them of “why him and not me?” after this situation and moved forward in God’s freedom and forgiveness to be used by God, alongside Moses, to lead the Israelites to the promised land. Miriam is listed in Micah 6:4, along with Aaron and Moses, as the ones God used to bring the Israelites out of Egypt—her reputation God restored.
Listen to I am a testimony of the goodness of the Lord! Crystal Gayle.