Num 12:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | The discontent of the people because of the hardships of the wilderness journey is more against God than against Moses. But now Moses has got to pay for it as well. It is not so much the people who are revolting, but the leaders. The evil of discontent among the people also affects the leaders. Miriam and Aaron are annoyed by the fact that Moses has a Cushite, or Ethiopian, woman. That their brother has taken a wife from the Gentiles is a thorn in their eye. They cannot bear the fact that grace is shown to a heathen. In the parable of the vineyard that the Lord Jesus later tells, it appears that the same attitude of intolerance toward the proving of grace to the Gentiles dominates the Jews ( ). Even later we see that nothing has changed among the people. When Paul speaks about grace going to the Gentiles, the Jews become fierce ( ). Aaron as a person again shows his weak character. He gave in to the will of the people and gave them a golden calf ( ). Now his sister, who seems to be taking the initiative, whispers something about Moses to him, he submits again and follows her in her revolt against Moses. The remark of Miriam and Aaron that God did not only speak through Moses is true. Miriam is called “the prophetess” ( ) and Aaron is the high priest. They have both a place as a connection between God and the people. Together with Moses they occupy an important position, which is given to them by God. The prophet Micah later points this out to God’s people: “Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt and ransomed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam” ( ). But that should not be a reason to rise to that position or to be jealous of what the Lord has given another. They indicate that they want to be equal to Moses. By having a heathen woman, he has lost his rights, they think, or at least they are on the same level as Moses, they think. Perhaps Miriam did not say her remarks out loud, but only whispered in Aaron’s ear, but “the LORD heard it”. Our most confidential remarks have a Hearer in heaven.

‏ Numbers 12:1-2

Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses

The discontent of the people because of the hardships of the wilderness journey is more against God than against Moses. But now Moses has got to pay for it as well. It is not so much the people who are revolting, but the leaders. The evil of discontent among the people also affects the leaders.

Miriam and Aaron are annoyed by the fact that Moses has a Cushite, or Ethiopian, woman. That their brother has taken a wife from the Gentiles is a thorn in their eye. They cannot bear the fact that grace is shown to a heathen.

In the parable of the vineyard that the Lord Jesus later tells, it appears that the same attitude of intolerance toward the proving of grace to the Gentiles dominates the Jews (Lk 20:16). Even later we see that nothing has changed among the people. When Paul speaks about grace going to the Gentiles, the Jews become fierce (Acts 22:21-22).

Aaron as a person again shows his weak character. He gave in to the will of the people and gave them a golden calf (Exo 32:1-2). Now his sister, who seems to be taking the initiative, whispers something about Moses to him, he submits again and follows her in her revolt against Moses.

The remark of Miriam and Aaron that God did not only speak through Moses is true. Miriam is called “the prophetess” (Exo 15:20) and Aaron is the high priest. They have both a place as a connection between God and the people. Together with Moses they occupy an important position, which is given to them by God. The prophet Micah later points this out to God’s people: “Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt and ransomed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam” (Mic 6:4). But that should not be a reason to rise to that position or to be jealous of what the Lord has given another. They indicate that they want to be equal to Moses. By having a heathen woman, he has lost his rights, they think, or at least they are on the same level as Moses, they think.

Perhaps Miriam did not say her remarks out loud, but only whispered in Aaron’s ear, but “the LORD heard it”. Our most confidential remarks have a Hearer in heaven.