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CHAPTER 18: Murmuring Of Miriam And Aaron - The Spies Sent To
Canaan - Their "Evil Report" - Rebellion OfThe People, And Judgment
Pronounced Upon Them - The Defeat Of Israel - "Unto Hormah"Numbers
12 -14
HITHERTO the spirit of rebellion on the part of the people had been directed against
JehovahHimself. If Moses had lately complained of continual trials in connection with
those to whom hestood in no way closely related, (Numbers 11:12) he was now to
experience the full bitterness ofthis,
"A man's foes shall be they of his own household." (Matthew 10:36)
From Kibroth-hattaavah Israel had journeyed to Hazeroth, a station the more difficult
to identifyfrom the commonness of such "fenced enclosures" in that neighborhood.
Here Miriam and -apparently at her instigation, - Aaron also "spake against Moses,"
as it is added, "because of theEthiopian woman whom he had married," referring most
likely to a second marriage which Moseshad contracted after the death of Zipporah.
For the first time we here encounter that pride of Israel after the flesh and contempt
for all othernations, which has appeared through-out their after history, and in
proportion as they havemisunderstood the spiritual meaning of their calling. Thus, as
Calvin remarks, Miriam and Aaron nowactually boasted in that prophetic gift, which
should have only wrought in them a sense of deephumility. (Numbers 12:2) But
Moses was not like any ordinary prophet, although in his extrememeekness he would
not vindicate his own position (12:3). He "was faithful," or approved, "to Himthat
appointed him," (Hebrews 3:2, 5) not merely in any one special matter, but "in all the
house" ofJehovah, that is, in all pertaining to the kingdom of God. And the Lord now
vindicated His servantboth by public declaration, and by punishing Miriam with
leprosy. At the entreaty of Aaron, whoowned his sister's and his own guilt, and at the
intercession of Moses, this punishment was indeedremoved. But the isolation of
Miriam from the camp of Israel would teach all, how one who hadboasted in
privileges greater than those of others might be deprived even of the ordinary
fellowshipof Israel's camp.
The seven days of Miriam's separation were past, and Israel again resumed the march
towards theLand of Promise. They had almost reached its boundary, when the event
happened which not onlyformed the turning-point in the history of that generation, but
which, more than any other, was typicalof the future of Israel. For as that generation in
their unbelief refused to enter the Land of Promisewhen its possession lay open before
them, and as they rebelled against God and cast off theauthority of Moses, so did their
children reject the fulfillment of the promises in Christ Jesus, disownHim whom God
(^)