Numb 12:1-2– And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.
Insight and Highlight
Numb 12:8-10– ....wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed.
10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
Scripture Commentaries
One would wonder why Mariam's name appeared before Aaron.
The explanation may be that she was the leader in this insurrection against Moses, no wonder the judgment fell upon her, not on Aaron. Aaron, however was a disaster about to happen.
Subsequent insurrection followed at the scene of the golden calf where he was persuaded to raise a golden calf, Exd 36:1-7.
Here, however, Aaron will dearly pay for bringing the people into idolatory.
Job 4:8 says: Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
Duress influence: a wrongful pressure exerted on someone to do what he did not want to do, or undue influence: taking undue advantage by manipulating a vulnerable person are inexcusable before God.
Both prominent persons to any rebellion and those who yielded are punishable under God's judgment.
Aaron's priestly garment was removed and he died on Mount Hur, Numb 20:26-28.
Three thousand people died, Exd 32:28, except for the sons of Levi who did not participate, Exd 32:26
Who will not fear the LORD?
Remorse corner
With God, it is perhaps true that the offence especially condemned by Him, is joining with a majority in an unrighteous way
Call to Word action
If we are to please God in His ways, we must be prepared to face unpopularity.
Exodus 23:2– Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
The Christian clarion duty
God forbids our being carried away by numbers or popularity in any case.
Job boasts that he did not fear a great multitude Job 31:34 – Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
Prayer
Help me to fear You enough to avoid joining the multitude to do evil against You, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day.
God bless you.