Big sisters can get a bit bossy. I know because I have one. And probably Miriam thought as the older sister she had the right to complain about Moses marrying a Cushite woman. She even got Aaron to take sides with her. But I can tell from the Bible that God didn’t like it.
The Bible tells us because Moses was so humble, he fell on his face when he heard her speaking. God was so unhappy with Miriam, that He paid them all a personal visit. How many times do you see that happening in the Bible? Miriam may have thought because she was a prophetess among the people she could put that authority over Moses. But God wouldn't tolerate it.
And Miriam and Aaron Spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he head married...And they said, Has Jehovah indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not also spoken through us? And Jehovah heard it. Numbers 12:1-2
After He was done speaking with all of them, Miriam was completely leprous. In chapter 19 of the Life-Study of Numbers Witness Lee shares about the spiritual meaning of this account:
All three of them were quite distinctive among the people. They were well-educated, they were close to God, they were knowledgeable in the things of God, and they were considered leaders among the people of Israel. Nevertheless, there were "germs" hidden within Miriam and Aaron that were stirred up by the "winds" blowing with the tide of the turmoil. From this we need to need to learn that in the service of the Lord we should not allow anything negative to remain hidden within us. Any such thing that is not rooted out of our being will come out sooner or later. We need to be alert and aware of any germs that may still be in us (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Numbers. Living Stream Ministry: Anaheim, 1990, Print).
In this next section Witness Lee points out that only Moses was God's representative and it had nothing to do with who was older. Within Miriam and Aaron just like within us are the germs of rivalry and jealousy. God said to Miriam in verse 8, Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses? This is a huge lesson to all of us.You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Numbers on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. You can also read the online Life-Studies of Numbers and check out other resources available to enhance your study of the Bible on Living Stream Ministry's website.
Other Posts on Numbers:
What is the Spiritual Meaning of the Book of Numbers
Lessons the Israelites Learned in Numbers 11 - Murmuring About Manna - Part 1 of 5
Lessons the Israelites Learned in Numbers 12 - Part 2 of 5
Lessons the Israelites Learned in Numbers 13 & 14 - Part 3 of 5
Lessons the Israelites Learned in Numbers 16 - Part 4 of 5
Lessons the Israelites Learned in Numbers 21 - Part 5 of 5
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