3 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Now Miriam and Aaron talked against Moses [their brother] because of his Cushite (Ethiopian) wife, for he had married a Cushite woman. (Numbers 12:1)

Cush is generally translated as Ethiopia (probably the entire region south of Egypt – see Shemot Rabbah 10:2), a place inhabited by blacks. (See e.g. Jeremiah 13:23: “Can a Cushite change his skin, or a leopard its spots?”)

You don’t have to find a reason to speak against a man or a woman of God. There will always be a reason for you to talk against a man or a woman of God. Just don’t.

One of the Signs You are a Prophet

And He said, Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make Myself known to him in a vision and speak to him in a dream. (Numbers 12:6)

God reveals Himself to a prophet in a vision or a dream

So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. (Numbers 12:9-10)

Both Aaron and Miriam had sinned and yet Miriam was the only one who was affected. Aaron was protected because of his office as High Priest. The moment his clothes were taken off death struck him.

"Please do not let her be as one dead, whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb!" (Numbers 12:12)

Aaron describes a leper

And the Lord said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed for seven days? Let her be shut up outside the camp for seven days, and after that let her be brought in again. (Numbers 12:14)

Even in chastening the LORD identified Himself as Father to Miriam. Though Miriam was a leader at a very high level because she had contracted leprosy, she too would have to be put out of the camp. Rules must apply to all - whether you are a leader or not.

Leadership

So Miriam was shut out of the camp seven days, and the people did not journey till Miriam was brought in again. (Numbers 12:15)

When leaders fall into sin, the progress of the entire camp is hindered

Afterward [they] removed from Hazeroth and encamped in the Wilderness of Paran. (Numbers 12:16)

From Kibroth-hattaavah to Hazeroth to Paran

From lust to praise to beauty and glory

Chapter 12