Wednesday 23rd August
Read Numbers 12:10-16
“When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous – it became as white as snow. Aaron turned towards her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, ‘Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.’
13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘Please, God, heal her!’
14 The Lord replied to Moses, ‘If her father had spat in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.’ 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.
16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and camped in the Desert of Paran.” (NIVUK)
Why Miriam? Why does Aaron get off so lightly? Such are the cries of those who see male-dominated perspectives everywhere in scripture. Yet the answer lies in translation that we don’t get to see in English. At the very beginning of the story two protagonists are named. Yet a singular, feminine, Hebrew verb is used to describe the revolt. An event quite rare in scripture. In this episode it is Miriam who is the instigator and so it is reasonable that the judgement falls upon her. It is a punishment that fits the crime. Seeking to place herself in the centre of the ‘inner ring’ she is cast out of the camp entirely, shamefully having to wait ‘outside’. (It is also often overlooked that Miriam is a leader…the people wait for her).
Aaron does not escape though. Dialogue is important in Hebrew narrative. Compare the length and language of Aaron’s pleas to Moses on behalf of Miriam. He appeals to Moses as his ‘lord’ and begs for leniency. In contrast Moses prays just five words (and five syllables) in the sparest language possible. It is humbling for the High Priest indeed, the mediator for God’s people, lowered to begging before his younger brother.
We may read this and think it is a harmless story of people seeking power and position. Yet even Jesus’ disciples, immediately after He has told them He is going to die in Jerusalem, jockeying for position and prestige. His response to them is worth reflecting on.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:25-28) (NIVUK)
