Scripture: And Moses cried to the LORD, “O God, please heal her—please.” But the LORD said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut outside the camp seven days, and after that she may be brought in again.” Numbers 12:13-14 ESV
Observation: With Miriam and Aaron challenging Moses’ authority, God descended in the cloud, spoke directly to the three of them, called out Aaron and Miriam for their presumptuous arrogance, and struck Miriam (who instigated the confrontation) with leprosy. As the above verses convey, Moses pleads to the Lord on Miriam’s behalf, and Yahweh relents, but not without consequences that fit the sin. Her disrespectful behavior toward Moses, Israel’s father figure, warrants discipline for her sake and Israel (as a fair warning).
Of further note, the significance of the seven-day quarantine foreshadows the standard time for uncleanness when an Israelite came in contact with a deceased body (Numbers 19:11, 14, 16). In a sense, Miriam was good as dead for undermining Moses, God’s appointed leader, and potentially spurring an insurrection that would put the nation at risk of division and its eventual demise.
Takeaway: Our gracious God is slow to anger and quick to forgive, but he will not compromise what he has deemed as holy. We, his treasured people, are temples of his Holy Spirit. Jesus had something to say about this when some scribes accused him of being possessed by Beelzebul (Mark 3:22-23). Jesus responded by contending that a house divided cannot stand (3:26) and added that all sins (including blaspheming other people) are forgivable but not blasphemes uttered against the Holy Spirit (3:28-29), for they are tantamount to disbelief in Christ.
Miriam and Aaron certainly did not denounce their faith in God, but they did utter words of disrespect toward their brother. The consequences of a quarantine served not only to signal a warning but to provide space for reflection. So when we speak ill toward others, whether appointed leaders or followers, we need to remember that there may be lingering consequences. And sometimes it’s best to lay low (once we have apologized), consider how we might do things differently next time, and allow all concerned to work through hurt feelings.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son who never spoke ill toward those who are your children. And we thank you that through the sacrifice of your Son, we can approach your throne of grace and receive mercy and forgiveness. So when we fall short of the mark and speak ill of others, would you please guide us toward reconciliation and space for reflection to learn how to approach others in a godly manner next time? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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