After one year of encampment at Mount Sinai, God’s presence (in the form of a cloud) moved from the tabernacle and led them on a three days’ journey to the Wilderness of Paran (Numbers 10:11-12, 33-36). While they were traveling, the people began complaining about the lack of meat and Moses became sorely discouraged with Israel (Numbers 11:1-15). In order to relieve the incredible burden Moses carried in dealing with the people, God established 70 men who would be able to assist him in listening to the complaints of Israel (Numbers 11:16-17, 24-30); furthermore, God decided to provide the Israelites with abundant quail for 30 days so their complaints would be silenced (11:18-23, 31-35). Even though God sent quail to further provide for Israel, He was angry that they were not satisfied with His daily provision of manna and some were judged by a plague (Numbers 11:33).
Following this incident in the wilderness of Paran, Israel moved to Hazeroth which was a little south of the Desert of Paran (Numbers 11:35). During Israel’s encampment at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron (Moses’ sister and brother) “…spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, ‘Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?’” (12:1-2). It is not exactly clear why they spoke against Moses’ wife, but some have speculated that Miriam was possibly envious of the role Moses’ wife played in leading Israel. This reasoning is further supported by the fact that Miriam and Aaron were equating their value and leadership with Moses’. Numbers 12:3 makes it clear that Moses was a humble man and did nothing to provoke their attack on him and his wife. When God heard the complaints of Miriam and Aaron, He called them as well as Moses to the tabernacle for a meeting and said, “Hear now My words: if there is a prophet among you, I , the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (12:4-8). God’s words to Miriam and Aaron established Moses as the leader of Israel and the one with whom He communicated directly. Moses was unlike anyone else in Israel. God’s anger with Miriam and Aaron was demonstrated when He struck Miriam with leprosy, but Moses cried out for the Lord to heal her (12:9-13). Moses’ prayer for mercy evidences his love and forgiving nature. God demanded that Miriam remain outside the camp for seven days, as was prescribed for a person with leprosy (12:14-15). After the seven days were finished, Israel moved from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran (12:16). The incident between Miriam and Moses should be a reminder that God demands respect and obedience to the authority He has placed in our lives. Speaking against God’s chosen leaders is equal to speaking against God, especially when those leaders are attempting to carry out the plan God has given to them. There may be times when those following may think they know better, but if God’s leader remains humble and submissive to God, those following must remain respectful and silent. Those who decide to rebel and cause dissension will be accountable to God for their actions.
Dear God, help me to remain submissive and supportive of the godly leaders You have placed in my life.
