What in the world?
On the outset it seems like it’s just siblings quarreling.. jealousy perhaps? But Miriam and Aaron seemed to have developed a form of “spiritual pride” over the course of the journey. As opposed to Moses who, even with all that has happened so far, remained meek and humble. In people’s eyes, Miriam and Aaron’s statement seemed correct – even they have access to God now. But that’s not something they can boast about, especially with the intent of putting down Moses’ authority. God showed them what He thinks about all this.
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?” (Numbers 12:6-8 ESV)
Miriam was then subjected to disciplinary action. Why only Miriam though and not Aaron? That’s interesting.
Moses, oh Moses, in spite of just being talked down to by his own siblings, pleaded for God to heal Miriam (“please heal her – please”). Not the first time Moses interceded. Intercession seems to be a common quality of God’s chosen ones. Yes, all throughout the Bible, intercession seems to be a key theme. Leading to the ultimate act of when Jesus interceded for us. But it shouldn’t end there, I think God still calls his children today to do the same. Hmm, I need to think about this some more.