Miriam
and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife. (Numbers 12:1)
Moses
enjoyed a special relationship with God and others not only took notice of it,
but became envious. Miriam (Moses’ sister) is an important player in the exodus
story: She saved Moses’ life when he was an infant, looked after him even after
he was pulled from the Nile by Pharaoh’s daughter, and led the women in a song
of deliverance on the heels of their Red Sea
crossing.
Only
someone we love can betray us, and such a betrayal is a painful wound. Miriam
was apparently the impetus behind this attack on Moses, although his African
wife was clearly not the real issue. The problem was that she felt like Moses
was getting more of the attention than he deserved. She wanted to share the
limelight. Notice how, rather than defending himself, Moses left the response
to God.
After
God schooled her about how Moses was no ordinary prophet, she was afflicted
with leprosy. The fact that Aaron was not gives us a hint that Miriam was the
ringleader of their little rebellion. Aaron pleaded with Moses to intercede for
them (I wonder if he was sincerely thinking about his sister or his own
potential punishment). Moses prayed for them and God answered his request.
Have
you ever experienced the sting of betrayal? Did you exact your pound of flesh,
or did you have the good grace to leave vengeance to God?
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