_A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490._ Miriam and Aaron murmur against Moses, Numbers 12:1. God calls them to an account for it, Numbers 12:4. Miriam becoming leprous, Aaron humbles himself, and Moses prays for her, Numbers 12:10. She is healed, but shut out of the camp for seven days, Numbers 12:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Miriam_ Miriam seems to be first named, because she was the first mover of the sedition; wherefore she is more eminently punished. _The Ethiopian_ Either, 1st, Zipporah, who is here called an Ethiopian, in the Hebrew, a Cushite, because she was a Midianite: the word Cush being generally used in... [ Continue Reading ]
_By us_ Are not we prophets as well as he? So Aaron was made, (Exodus 4:15,) and so Miriam is called, Exodus 15:20. And Moses hath debased and mixed the holy seed, which we have not done. Why then should he take all power to himself, and make rulers as he pleaseth, without consulting us? _The Lord h... [ Continue Reading ]
_The man Moses was very meek_ This is added as the reason why Moses took no notice of their reproach, and why God did so severely plead his cause. Thus was he fitted for the work he was called to, which required all the meekness he had. And this is often more tried by the unkindness of our friends,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord spake suddenly_ To stifle the beginnings of the sedition, that this example might not spread among the people, the divine voice from the Shechinah interrupts them in the midst of their dispute, commanding Aaron and his sister to come forth from their tents to meet Moses immediately at the... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there be a prophet among you_ If you be prophets, yet know there is a difference among prophets, nor do I put equal honour upon all of them. _In a vision_ To some the divine will was communicated by strong impressions upon their imaginations when they were awake, but in an ecstasy, as in the cas... [ Continue Reading ]
_My servant Moses is not so_ He is a prophet of a higher rank. To him I impart my mind in a far more noble and clear way. _Who is faithful in all my house_ God had set him over all Israel, who were his house, his family, or chosen people, and Moses was faithful in the performance of the trust repos... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mouth to mouth_ In a most familiar manner, distinctly, and by an articulate voice, as one friend discourses with another, or as two friends in conversation hear and answer each other by turns. Moses enjoyed this singular privilege, which was vouchsafed to no other of the prophets, that God spoke to... [ Continue Reading ]
_He departed_ From the door of the tabernacle, in token of his great displeasure; not waiting for their answer. The removal of God's presence from us is the saddest token of his displeasure. And he never departs till we, by our sin and folly, drive him from us.... [ Continue Reading ]
_From off the tabernacle_ Probably not the whole tabernacle, but from that part to which it had come, to that part which was directly over the mercy-seat, where it constantly abode. Or, perhaps, it quite disappeared, or stood at a great distance till Miriam was removed from the tabernacle, and carri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lay not the sin_ Let not the guilt and punishment of this sin rest upon us, upon her in this kind, upon me in any other kind, but pray to God for the pardon and removal of it. _As one dead_ Because part of her flesh was putrefied and dead, and not to be restored but by the mighty power of God. Like... [ Continue Reading ]
_If her father had but spit in her face_ That is, had expressed some eminent token of indignation and contempt, in consequence of her having provoked him to anger by some undutiful behaviour. See Job 30:10; Isaiah 50:6. _Should she not be ashamed seven days_ And withdraw herself from her father's pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Journeyed not_ Which was a testimony of respect to her both from God and from the people; God so ordering it, partly lest she should be overwhelmed by such a public rebuke from God, and partly lest, she being a prophetess, the gift of prophecy should come into contempt.... [ Continue Reading ]