Thank you for the question on Aaron and Miriam’s offense in Numbers 12, “Can you explain Numbers chapter 12, outline Aaron and Miriam’s offence(s), and it’s implications in the present-day church?”
In order to answer this question, one must look at the context and the content of Numbers 12. The text says this, “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this. 3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) 4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (NIV).
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration on the sin of Aaron and Miriam:
A. The conflict appears more with Miriam and with the wife of Moses (vs. 1).
The reason I suggest this is that Miriam’s name is listed before Aaron. The text says this, “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.” Can it be that there was a conflict between the wives of the two leaders of Israel? The text states that Miriam and Aaron spoke to Moses about his wife, Zipporah (Exod. 2:21).
The text doesn’t state what was the “complaint” against Zipporah. Zipporah, being a Cushite. The implication of Zipporah being a Cushite could be the following. This is a conjecture on my part. They could have objected to her not being from any of the tribes of Israel, her darker skin tone, her beauty, and even being a daughter of a priest of the Midianites (Exod. 2:16). Was there some form of rivalry or jealousy between Miriam and Zipporah. They neglected or refused to acknowledge that Zipporah placed here faith in the God of Israel.
The text doesn’t state the response by Moses to Miriam and Aaron as they “talked” about Zipporah. Even though she wasn’t an Israelite by birth, Moses’ marriage to her pre-dated the given of the Law on Mount Sinai. He made a commitment to marry her and they had children together. The implication by Miriam and Aaron was not only about Zipporah but about Moses’ children and their standing in the Israelite community. For Moses to send his wife and children away would be unjust and violating his commitment to her. I believe Moses stood up for her and for his children. The argument may have become heated.
B. The conflict appears to demean or disrespect Moses (vs. 2).
The topic shifted from Zipporah to attacking Moses himself. Miriam and Aaron claimed that they were also co- leaders within Israel. There is no indication that the LORD spoke to and through Miriam. However with Aaron, that is not disputed God made Aaron the mouthpiece for Moses when he stood before Pharoah (Exod. 4:14–16). Aaron being the high priest wore the Urim and Thummin in ascertaining the will of God (Exod. 28–29).
Miram and Aaron’s retorted to Moses was this, “2 Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” This comment asserts that they felt that they were equal to Moses, not inferior to Moses. Was Moses getting too much of the limelight while Aaron having a lesser role?
One must keep in mind that Aaron’s reputation was tarnished as he allowed the Israelites to build the Baal idol and to commit immorality. Somehow being the high priest of Israel wasn’t enough. Moses was the one who ordained Aaron. That action appeared to make Moses in a greater position than Aaron. Was there some rivalry between the two brothers as Aaron was the older brother of Moses (Exod. 4:14).
The text doesn’t state what brought about that comment to Moses. The LORD upon hearing this dispute settled the disagreement by revealing that he speaks to Moses by face to face, not in dreams or visions. God intervened to end the argument.
What was the sin of Miriam and Aaron? It was jealousy in my opinion. They wanted the same status of Moses and their opinion mattered just as much as Moses. I believe the stated reason given was that Zipporah was a Cushite, but it ran much deeper than that. They wanted the same status as Moses.
As to the implication for today? One must keep in the mind that the Law was given to the Israelites, not to the Church. They were to live under a physical and spiritual theocratic kingdom with the LORD ruling over them, while Christians are under the spiritual rule of Christ, but there isn’t a physical theocratic land.
Here are some additional thoughts or ramification for today:
A. A person who is married is obligated to maintain their commitment to each other.
B. A person’s heritage or appearance doesn’t affect one’s status within the Christian community. There is no bases for discrimination or prejudice among the people of God.
C. A person must guard against jealousy or rivalry among the people of God.
D. A person must realize that God knows our thoughts and hears our words. Our conversation is in the presence of God.
E. A person’s position is given by God. It is an honor to serve the Lord in whatever opportunity or capacity that one serves in.
F. A person must be careful in criticizing the leader or the leadership of the church. They are God appointed leaders and their authority and position must be respected. This does not mean that one can’t disagree with church leaders, but it ought to be done in a respectful manner.
Summary: It is not about position in the Christian community, but service in the Christian Community.
-Kingston