The Bible tells us that both Mariam and Aaron spoke against their brother Moses. Causing the anger of the Lord to be kindled. However, when punishment is handed out only Miriam was struck with the plague of leprosy. Why is that the case? Why were both of them not struck with the same ailment? In fact, why did Aaron seem to walk away fine?
The easy answer to these questions would be to assume that God chose not to struck Aaron because he was the high priest. But I do not believe that to be the case because the Lord could have easily appointed a new high priest. In order to really get the answer to this question I believe we have to look back into Aaron’s past.
One other event in Aaron’s life sticks out when compared to this one. When Moses was with God for forty days the people of Israel became restless. Finally, they came to Aaron asking for a golden image to be made as their God. Instead of refusing and trusting the aged would soon send Moses back Aaron obliged to the people’s request.
Exodus 32:1–4 (ESV)
1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”
It is in that account that we quickly see Aaron’s true colors. He is a follower and not a leader. Easily persuaded by the simplest arguments. Which is quite possibly the very same thing that happens in the latter account. Miriam comes to Aaron complaining about their brother. Easily persuading Aaron to join her too and to speak against Moses as well. This is possibly why the Bible records her name before his when it says they spoke against Moses.
Numbers 12:1 (ESV)
1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman.
Because of this Miriam was the one who deserved a stronger punishment. She not only spoke against Moses. But was also was guilty of persuading Aaron to do the same. While all Aaron needed was to receive the strong rebuke of the Lord.
Numbers 12:6–10 (ESV)
6 And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed. 10 When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Scripture even goes on to record that Aaron realized he had been foolish. As he said just that to Moses. Begging him to prayer for their sister to be healed. To which God responded by healing her completely after she spent seven days outside of the camp.
Numbers 12:11–16 (ESV)
11 And Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” 13 And Moses cried to the Lord, “O God, please heal her—please.” 14 But the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut outside the camp seven days, and after that she may be brought in again.” 15 So Miriam was shut outside the camp seven days, and the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again. 16 After that the people set out from Hazeroth, and camped in the wilderness of Paran.
On the surface, it seems like they both deserve the same punishment for their actions. But God looks past the surface and is able to see the deeper motives. He knows who is truly at fault. God will respond justly every time punishing people as they rightly deserve for their actions and motives.
At times it doesn’t always make sense to us or seems equal but God will never act unjustly to anyone. If only, it was as easy to see the reasons things happen in our daily life as it is in the scripture. But because it isn’t we should never assume anything but always trust in the Lord. For only He is able to weigh everything seen or unseen. Meeting every person with what they deserve.
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