So much is going on with Israel in the wilderness. They keep complaining, they keep sinning, and they keep fighting. There was even a time when Aaron and Miriam were at odds with Moses!
Numbers 12:1- And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Aaron and Miriam were upset that Moses hadn't married an Israelite. They thought that they were more righteous than Moses, and that meant God would use them more.
Numbers 12:2-3- And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Now, Moses was meek. That means he was humble and he wasn't going to argue without a good reason. And the Lord knew this. The Lord also heard what Aaron and Miriam had said.
Numbers 12:4-8- And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
God had some things to say to Aaron and Miriam. He said that Moses was His friend, and He told Moses what to do. He said Moses was faithful to the Lord, and they shouldn't be talking bad about him.
Numbers 12:9-10- And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 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.
God was so angry that he placed a terrible disease on Miriam. She would die a terrible death and Aaron could do nothing.
Numbers 12:11-12- And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.
Aaron begged Moses to forgive him. He was hoping Moses' forgiveness would cure Miriam of this wretched disease.
Moses didn't want to see Miriam die this way. So, he prayed to God for mercy.
Numbers 12:13-14- And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
God and Moses were such close friends that God changed Miriam's punishment for Moses' sake. Instead of dying from this terrible disease, she had to live outside the camp in shame for a week.
Numbers 12:15-And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.
