Aaron and Miriam Jealous of Moses: Numbers 12
Today's theme of questioning God and God's resulting anger continues with yesterday's theme of - well, questioning God and God's resulting anger. Today's story still involves God, but takes place on a much small scale and raises more questions about jealousy and wrath. Is it anger with Moses' wife or jealousy of Moses' position that has Aaron and Miriam so bent out of shape? Let's take a look.
Numbers 12 shows Aaron and Miriam speaking out against Moses, but two different reasons are given. Verse one tells us Miriam and Aaron, sister and brother of Moses, speak out against Moses because of the Cushite woman he has married (Zipporah, the Midianite). Verse two tells us they speak out because they too have received communications from the Lord, and yet Moses is the sole intermediary between God and the people. The Lord hears of these remarks, and appears to Miriam and Aaron for their latter remarks.
A verse is inserted into the text here, claiming Moses was the most humble person on the face of the Earth. This was made evident early in Genesis, where Moses is reluctant to accept the position of intermediary because of his stage fright and poor speaking skills. Indeed, his only display of pride appears in Numbers 11, and is a product of his great frustration with the people of Israel, rather than some personal issue.
Having heard Miriam and Aaron's remarks, God speaks to all three of them (proving their receptiveness) and commands them to come to the tent of meeting. The Lord descends in a pillar of cloud and stands at the entrance of the tent. He calls Miriam and Aaron near and tells them:
Hear my words:The message is that Moses has been chosen to oversee all of Israel. Miriam and Aaron, though they may be able to communicate with God, are not chosen and therefore may only speak with God. As prophets, their communication with God is one-way. Moses speak with God rather than simply receive his words like Miriam and Aaron. This makes Moses a figure to be feared and respected.
When there are prophets among you,
I the Lord make myself known to them in visions;
I speak to them in dreams.
Not so with my servant Moses;
he is entrusted with all my house.
With him I speak face to face — clearly, not in riddles;
and he beholds the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
(Num. 12.6-8)
God departs in fury, and when the cloud disappears Miriam is leprous. Aaron turns to Moses and gives him the respect he deserves, referring to him as "lord" and begging that they are not punished for their foolish sin. Moses cries out to God that Miriam may be healed. The Lord answers that Miriam deserves the shame of her punishment and that she should remain outside the camp for seven days [lepers were routinely forced to reside outside of the camp].
The question is, why was Aaron not afflicted like his sister? The answer, strangely, may be symmetry. The first complaint is made, then the second, then the second complaint is acknowledged, then the punishment for the second complaint comes. The first complaint does not seem to be dealt with at all. But in fact, it might be, if we consider Miriam and Aaron as a couple that opposes Zipporah and Moses. Miriam and Aaron's hatred of Moses' female partner results in God's wrath being exacted upon Aaron's female partner. This gives the story symmetry, as the initial complaint is actually dealt with by God at the end of the story.
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