“Miriam, Aaron, Moses”

 “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” (Numbers 12:1)

Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020

The complaints of the people did not stop among the followers, it included the leaders. Miriam and Aaron knew Moses, before he knew them. Miriam and Aaron had also grown up together as Hebrews. Miriam and Aaron had 40 years of experience being a Hebrew.

Moses, though born a Hebrew, was raised as an Egyptian. Moses had 40 years of experience being an Egyptian. When he left Egypt he ended up with a priest of Midian, his father in law.

The Midianites were descendants of Abraham’s concubine Keturah. They had intermarried with many people. Midinites, if we recall, had bought Joseph from his brothers. Was Zipporah Ethiopian? Probably, we have to take Miriam and Aaron’s word for it.

Miriam and Aaron were in revolt, along with the people against Moses. Their argument against Moses marrying an Ethiopian is followed with the lies they accuse Moses of.

“And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.” (Numbers 12:2)

God replies,

“6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8)

God makes it clear that Miriam and Aaron are not prophets; God didn’t send them messages in their dreams or visions. He goes further to tell them that he speaks to Moses as he would talk directly, with his voice, as he would speak to a friend.

Miriam and Aaron made a poor argument. God leaves without another word. Aaron looks at Miriam and sees she is covered in Leprosy.

When we argue with God’s instructions, he leaves us alone; to face the world alone. Moses asked God to not kill Miriam, and God agreed. Miriam still had to be sent out of the camp for seven days as punishment.

The sin of Miriam and Aaron delayed the children of Israels march toward the promised land.