Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. The occasion for this painful dissension was Moses' marriage to a Cushite woman. This was only the flashpoint of a larger rebellion. In their words they revealed their spiritual jealousy. “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?”

As with the complaining of the congregation at large, we are told that “the Lord heard it.”

Moses was an unusually meek man. Despite his own humility, even his brother and sister resented him as if he were pursuing an agenda of personal domination over others.

Moses might have ignored this offense, but the Lord would not. His words were direct: “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” The Lord visited them in a pillar of cloud, and He called to Aaron and Miriam. He spoke to them about their brother Moses. This Moses was more than a prophet. This servant of God was faithful in all God's house. God spoke to Him very clearly. Moses even beheld the form of God. This should have made Aaron and Miriam afraid to speak against Moses, for he was the most important servant of the Lord in his day.

When the cloud of God lifted, Miriam was leprous. Aaron now turned to Moses with submissive supplication, calling his brother “lord” and admitting their foolishness and sin. He pleaded with Moses for mercy for Miriam, and Moses pleaded with the Lord. “O God, please heal her – please.”

God heard the prayer of His servant Moses. There was a measured discipline of Miriam. She was shut outside the camp for a defined time period, seven days, but was then restored, and the camp of Israel was on the move again.

The Word of the Lord had come with power, love, and correction. Further danger was averted, at least for the moment.

Moses was a leading servant in the Lord's Old Testament house, but the Messiah was greater than Moses, since He is the builder of a new resurrection kingdom.

Like Moses, Jesus was a meek man, Many dared to oppose Him, speaking in opposition to Him, and even raising their hands against Him. Yet in their worst attack, the Cornerstone of a new resurrection house was being put in place, and mercy was established for sinners.

It is never safe to oppose this Jesus or to abuse His humble children. They are so close to Him that they are identified as the body of which He is the Head. Our only wise course is to take refuge in Him and to follow Him, and to submit ourselves to one another out of reverence for Christ.