Num. 12 Miriam and Aaron murmur against Moses, Num. 12:1–3. God commandeth him, Aaron, and Miriam to come to the tabernacle, which they did, Num. 12:4–5. God rebuketh Aaron and Miriam, Num. 12:6–9. Miriam becometh leprous, Num. 12:10. Aaron humbling himself before Moses, Num.

God permitted Miriam and Aaron to murmur against their brother, partly to exercise and discover his admirable meekness and patience for the instruction of after-ages; and partly, that by this shaking Mose’s authority might take the deeper root, and the people might be deterred from all sedition and…

Are not we prophets as well as he? so Aaron was made, Ex. 4:15–16, and so Miriam is called, Ex. 15:20, Mic. 6:4. And Moses hath debased and mixed the holy seed, which we have not done.

This is added as the reason why Moses took no notice of their reproach, but was one that heard it not, and why God did so speedily and severely plead Moses’s cause, because he did not avenge himself. Quest. 1. Did it become Moses thus to commend himself? Answ. 1.

Suddenly; partly to show his great respect unto Moses, and unto the grace of meekness; and partly to stifle the beginnings of the sedition, that this example might not spread amongst the people, who had too much of that leaven among them.

In the door of the tabernacle, where they stood without, not being admitted into the tabernacle, as Aaron used to be; which is noted as a sign of God’s displeasure.

If you be prophets, as you pretend, yet know there is a difference among prophets, nor do I put equal authority and honour upon all of them. By a vision God represents things to the mind of a prophet when he is awake, as Gen. 15:1, Gen. 46:2, Dan. 8:18, Dan. 10:8.

i.e. Whom I have set over all my house, i.e. my church and people, and therefore over you, and who hath discharged his office faithfully, and not partially and selfseekingly, as you falsely accuse him.

Mouth to mouth, i.e. distinctly, by an articulate voice; immediately, not by an interpreter, nor by shadows and representations in his fancy, as it is in visions and dreams; and familiarly. This is called speaking face to face, 2 John 12, 3 John 14. Apparently; plainly and certainly.

From the door of the tabernacle, in token of his great displeasure, not waiting for their answer, and judging them unworthy of any further discourse.

From off the tabernacle; not from the whole tabernacle, for then they must have removed, but from that part of the tabernacle whither it was come, to that part which was directly over the mercy-seat, where it constantly abode.

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; either naturally, because part of her flesh was putrefied and dead, and not to be restored but by the mighty power of God; or morally, because she was cut off from all converse with others, Lev. 13:46.

Spit in her face, i.e. expressed some eminent token of indignation and contempt, which this was, Job 30:10, Isa. 1:6. Should she not be ashamed, and withdraw herself from her father’s presence? as Jonathan did upon a like occasion, 1 Sam. 20:34.

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, together with her person, the gift of prophecy should come into contempt.

Hazeroth, where they abode, as is said, Num. 11:35, for Miriam’s sake. In the wilderness of Paran, i.e. in another part of the same wilderness, as may be gathered from Num. 10:12, Deut. 33:2.