12:1People often argue over minor disagreements, leaving the real issue untouched. Such was the case when Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses. They represented the priests and the prophets, the two most powerful groups next to Moses. The real issue was their growing jealousy of Moses’ position and influence. Since they could not find fault with the way Moses was leading the people, they chose to criticize his wife. Rather than face the probfem squarely by dealing with their envy and pride, they chose to create a diversion from the real issue. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone's character. If you are unjustly criticized, remember that your critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Don’t take this type of criticism personally. Ask God to help you identify the real issue and deal with it.
Life Application Study BibleNumbersChapter 12
Numbers 12
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 219, 220
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1While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. 2They said, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? ta Kio there were quail 3 feet (2 cubits or 92 centimeters] deep on the ground. 11:32 Hebrew 10 homers 1.8 kilotiters). Hasn't he spoken through us, too?” But the LORD heard them. 3(Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.) 4So immediately the LORD called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle,* all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. 5Then the LORD descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle.* “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. ®And the LORD said to them,
6Now listen towhat I say:“Tf there were prophets among you,;I, the LORD, would reveal myself in visions.I would speak to them in dreams.
7But not with my servant Moses.Of all my house, he is the one I trust.
8I speak to him face to face,clearly, and not in riddles!He sees the LORD as he is.So why were you not afraidto criticize my servant Moses?”
9The LORD was very angry with them,and he departed. 10As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy.* When Aaron saw what had happened to her, 'the cried out to Moses, 11Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. 12Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.” 13So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!” 14But the LORD said to Moses, “If her father had done nothing more than spit in her face, wouldn't she be defiled for seven days? So keep her outside the camp for seven days, and after that she may be accepted back.” 15So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again. '€Then they left Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
12:11Aaron asked that he and Miriam not be punished for their sin, It is easy to look back at our mistakes and recognize their foolishness.!t is much harder to recognize foolish plans while we are carrying them out because somehow then they seem appropriate. To get rid of foolish ideas before they turn into foolish actions requires eliminating our wrong thoughts and motives. Failing to do this caused Miriam and Aaron much grief.
12:14Spitting in someone's face was considered the ultimate insult and a sign of shame imposed on wrongdoers, The religious leaders spat in Jesus’ face to insult him (Matthew 26:67). God punished Miriam for her smug attitude not only toward Moses’ authority but also God’s. He struck her with leprosy, then ordered her out of the camp for a week. This punishment was actually quite lenient. A week was the length of time she would have been excluded if her father had spit in her face. How much more she deserved for wronging God! Once again, God was merciful while retaining effective discipline.
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Study feature · page 220
Tribe Leader Reuben. 00.0.0... 00. c cece eee eee eee e cece e ences Shammua son of Zaccur SRST. 0) I Shaphat son of Hori £0 C6) Caleb son of Jephunneh TIssachar...... 1... cee c ee cee ee eee ete e eee ees Igal son of Joseph BEphraim.... 0... ccc eee eens Hoshea son of Nun 9 Benjamin..... 00... eee eee eee Palti son of Raphu 10 Zebulun....... 0... eee eee.. Gaddiel son of Sodi 11 Manasseh son of Joseph...............0..20..0005 Gaddi son of Susi 12:4 Hebrew the Tent of Meeting. 12:5 Hebrew the tent; also in 12:10. 12:10 Or with a skin disease. The Hebrew word used here can describe various skin diseases.
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