Additional Offerings F. Numbers

Aaron and Miriam’s Complaint (ch. 12):

They were upset that Moses had married a Cushite.  Miriam and Aaron were predominant people in the Israelites travels, and when Zipporah died, Miriam thought she would have more influence over Moses.  It was an illegitimate complaint because Aaron and Miriam were concerned only with power, not necessarily God’s will.  When confronted, Moses does nothing.  God “suddenly (12.4)” takes over by directly calling Aaron and Miriam out on the offense.  God explains that He speaks to Moses “face to face – clearly, not in riddles (12.8)” so that nothing may be misunderstood.  He tells them if they doubt Moses, they doubt Him.  When done speaking, God punishes Miriam, the instigator, with leprosy for seven days, so that she may live in shame.  I think God responded so harshly to warn the Israelites not to question his judgment.  If the people did not have faith in their present leaders, they would certainly lose faith in God.  Therefore, God had Miriam be punished severely for her doubt towards Moses in order to protect the actions of God.  If Moses did a small act, like marriage, against God’s will, the people would have been less likely to trust him during more stressful times.

Complaint about food (21:4-9):

The Israelites were complaining to God and Moses that they had led them through the desert, around Edom, with no food or water.  This is an illegitimate complaint because the people have been liberated from oppression by very odd means.  They should be accustomed to God telling Moses to go odd ways.  Edom might have been filled with more danger than the desert.  Moses, I feel, internally agrees with the Israelites but not so much as to speak against God.  Therefore, he prays to God for the people because he is able to feel their pain and confusion.  God responds by sending poisonous snakes to bite and potentially kill the Israelites.  I wouldn’t be surprised if those who died were at the root of the complaining.   After Moses prayed for their aid, God had him “make a poisonous serpent and set it on a pole (21.8).”  When the people looked upon it they would be saved from the poison.  I believe God did this to make the Israelites look up.  Literally, towards the sky were God resided and not on the ground and desert that they so detested.   He had to make the punishment severe or else the Israelites would complain more and more about miniscule problems.  Though they complained anyway, God had them look up to remember who brought them from Egypt and who will lead them to the promise land.