Scripture: Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed.
Numbers 12:1-9 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, Yahweh fulfills his promise of meat to grumbling Israel and directs a windstorm that blows quail into Israel’s camp. Amazed at the massive number of birds, the people greedily gather the quail around the clock for a day and a half. Thus, even the minimum collected per household equaled about sixty bushels. But as they consumed the quail greedily and voraciously, the Lord struck down those “who had the craving” with a plague.
Today’s passage exposes another example of ingratitude, but closer to home: Moses’s two closest family members (Miriam and Aaron) would speak out of turn with blatant jealousy of Moses’ unique relationship with Yahweh. Leading with criticism regarding Moses’ Cushite wife, the two siblings address the real issue: they want more recognition for their leadership role. So Yahweh, like a Father who has listened to all he cares to hear, calls the three of them to his living room (to the tent of meeting) to set the record straight: Unlike the prophets who listen to me through dreams and visions, I speak directly to my faithful servant Moses—with no cryptic riddles but with straight talk. Then, Yahweh angrily questions why Aaron and Miriam would dare speak against their brother and ascends from their presence.
Takeaway: Regarding the racial slur, scholars debate the identity of the “woman” in verse 1. Moses’ repetition of Miriam and Aaron’s accusation that he married a Cushite would indicate that he had likely remarried another foreigner, perhaps after Zipporah’s passing. Still, regardless of whether they had spoken ill of Zipporah or a new wife, Miriam and Aaron were out of line. The Cushites were distant cousins who had settled in modern-day Ethiopia, for they were heirs of Ham (brother of Shem, who is the forefather of Israel). Regardless, there was no prohibition against marrying foreigners at this point in the journey, for that mandate would come just before entering the Promised Land.
Our takeaway and part? This brief text mentions three teaching points about confronting leadership. First, check your motive. While Scripture speaks of God’s jealousy for his people, this is a godly, passionate desire for an intimate relationship with his creation. Here, Miriam and Aaron envy what they perceive as Moses’ favored relationship with God. But they are misguided by their sinful thought process. God (not Moses) appointed them to essential second-chair roles to accomplish his salvation plan for Israel. Had Mirian forgotten how she watched Moses floating along the Nile’s shoreline and how she bravely spoke to Pharaoh’s daughter and suggested a nursemaid? Or how she led the nation in praising God when he delivered Israel from Pharaoh and his militia? And had Aaron forgotten how he became Moses’s mouth and God’s spokesperson to Pharaoh, and now serves as the nation’s high priest? Indeed, the Lord would later speak through Micah to declare that he had sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to redeem Israel from slavery (Micah 6:4).
Secondly, pause and listen before confronting. Aaron and Miriam failed to soul-search their motives before speaking out. Rather than take their concerns to God and wait for him to reveal his perspective, they confronted Moses first with a red herring that seemed indefensible—perhaps to push him into a defensive posture. Then, they addressed their real issue: his presumptuousness (as they perceived). Fortunately for them, Moses remained silent, for the meekest man on earth waited for the Lord to speak (v.3).
Lastly, seek the best of our leaders. Scripture has much to say about those whom God has placed over us. Perhaps the best summary is from the letter to the Hebrews: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17 ESV). We gain nothing by criticizing our leaders. Indeed, if their actions do not align with Scripture, we owe it to the body of Christ to confront them, but always to restore them and with a spirit of gentleness, lest we too be tempted (Galatians 6:1).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who you appointed CEO of your salvation plan, and the Holy Spirit, who you appointed COO to lead us in this worldly journey to our heavenly Promised Land. Still, we sometimes grumble about those you place over us to shepherd us. So, please help us follow the Holy Spirit’s lead to draw out the best in those you put over us so that together, we might grow your kingdom and glorify your name. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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