Números 12

1 Y hablaron María y Aarón contra Moisés a causa de la mujer etíope que había tomado; porque él había tomado mujer etíope

2 Y dijeron: ¿Solamente por Moisés ha hablado el SEÑOR? ¿No ha hablado también por nosotros? Y lo oyó el SEÑOR

3 Y aquel varón Moisés era muy manso, más que todos los hombres que había sobre la tierra

4 Y luego dijo el SEÑOR a Moisés, a Aarón, y a María: Salid vosotros tres al tabernáculo del testimonio. Y salieron ellos tres

5 Entonces el SEÑOR descendió en la columna de la nube, y se puso a la puerta del tabernáculo, y llamó a Aarón y a María; y salieron ambos

6 Y él les dijo: Oíd ahora mis palabras: si tuviereis profeta del SEÑOR, le apareceré en visión, en sueños hablaré con él

7 No así a mi siervo Moisés, que es fiel en toda mi casa

8 Boca a boca hablaré con él, y de vista; no por enigmas, él verá la semejanza del SEÑOR; ¿por qué, pues, no tuvisteis temor de hablar contra mi siervo Moisés

9 Entonces el furor del SEÑOR se encendió en ellos; y se fue

10 Y la nube se apartó del tabernáculo; y he aquí que María era leprosa como la nieve; y miró Aarón a María, y he aquí que estaba leprosa

11 Y dijo Aarón a Moisés: Te ruego, señor mío, no pongas ahora sobre nosotros pecado; porque locamente lo hemos hecho, y hemos pecado

12 No sea ella ahora como el que sale muerto del vientre de su madre, consumida la mitad de su carne

13 Entonces Moisés clamó al SEÑOR, diciendo: Te ruego, oh Dios, que la sanes ahora

14 Respondió el SEÑOR a Moisés: Pues si su padre hubiera escupido en su cara, ¿no se avergonzaría por siete días? Sea echada fuera del campamento por siete días, y después se reunirá

15 Así María fue echada del campamento siete días; y el pueblo no pasó adelante hasta que se le reunió María

16 Y después partió el pueblo de Hazerot, y acamparon en el desierto de Parán

Números 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

God rebukes the murmuring of Aaron and Miriam. (1-9) Miriam struck with leprosy, and healed at the prayer of Moses. (10-16)

Verses 1-9 The patience of Moses was tried in his own family, as well as by the people. The pretence was, that he had married a foreign wife; but probably their pride was hurt, and their envy stirred up, by his superior authority. Opposition from our near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful. But this is to be looked for, and it will be well if in such circumstances we can preserve the gentleness and meekness of Moses. Moses was thus fitted to the work he was called to. God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets; yet he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he; and our Lord Jesus infinitely excels him, ( Hebrews 3:1 ) . Let Miriam and Aaron consider whom it was they insulted. We have reason to be afraid of saying or doing any thing against the servants of God. And those are presumptuous indeed who are not ( 2 Peter. 2:10 ) God's presence is the surest and saddest token of God's displeasure. Woe to us, if he depart! he never departs, till by sin and folly we drive him from us.

Verses 10-16 The cloud departed, and Miriam became leprous. When God goes, evil comes: expect no good when God departs. Her foul tongue, as Bishop Hall says, was justly punished with a foul face. Aaron, as priest, was judge of the leprosy. He could not pronounce her leprous without trembling, knowing himself to be equally guilty. But if she was thus punished for speaking against Moses, what will become of those who sin against Christ? Aaron, who joined his sister in speaking against Moses, is forced for himself and his sister, to beseech him, and to speak highly of him whom he had so lately blamed. Those who trample upon the saints and servants of God, will one day be glad to make court to them. It is well when rebukes produce confession of sin and repentance. Such offenders, though corrected and disgraced, shall be pardoned. Moses made it appear, that he forgave the injury done him. To this pattern of Moses, and that of our Saviour, who said, "Father, forgive them," we must conform. A reason is given for Miriam's being put out of the camp for seven days; because thus she ought to accept the punishment of her sin. When under the tokens of God's displeasure for sin, it becomes us to take shame to ourselves. This hindered the people's progress in their march forward towards Canaan. Many things oppose us, but nothing so hinders us in the way to heaven, as sin.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBER 12

In this chapter we have an account of Aaron and Miriam speaking against Moses, and for what reason, whose amiable character is given, Nu 12:1-3; and of the Lord's calling them to him, and rebuking them for it, giving an excellent testimony to Moses, and then departing in anger, Nu 12:4-9; and of Miriam's being smitten with leprosy, and Aaron's entreating Moses on his and her account, who prayed to the Lord to heal her, Nu 12:10-13; and of her being ordered to be shut out of the camp seven days, during which time the Israelites stayed at Hazeroth, and then removed to the wilderness of Paran, Nu 12:14-16.