Números 12

Números 12

Morgan - The Lord spake suddenly unto Moses.-Num 12.4. That is an arresting statement. It marks an action on the part of God, so definite and immediate, that to Moses His speech was that of suddenness. It lends emphasis to the importance of this story. It is the story of rebellion against Moses, the God-appointed leader of the people, on the partof Miriam his sister, and Aaron his brother. The occasion was that of Moses' marriage with a Cushite woman. This was not the reason of it. It gave Miriam and Aaron an opportunity of acting upon a deeper feeling of jealousy which was present in their hearts. They resented the exercise of Moses' authority, evidently desiring to share it with him in a larger degree. The story illustrates a great truth in human experience. Sooner or later, if there be hidden evil, circumstances will occur in which it will be outwardly manifested. Stern and majestic was the Divine method of dealing with this outbreak. The sudden summons of God brought these three people out from the host, and into the immediate presence of God. Then in the plainest terms Jehovah vindicated His servant. Thus are we taught that God will not permit any interference with His appointments. To question the authority of those whom He appoints is to question His authority. There is great beauty in the end of the story. Aaron pleaded with Moses on behalf of his sister. Moses pleaded with God on her behalf. The cry was heard, and after seven days Miriam was restored. Surely He is ever a God ready to pardon. Nevertheless, the warning was solemn and severe, showing that rebellion is most reprehensible when it is manifested by the most highly placed. Numbers 12:5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent, and He called Aaron and Miriam. When they had both come forward, BGT Numbers 12:5 καὶ κατέβη κύριος ἐν στύλῳ νεφέλης καὶ ἔστη ἐπὶ τῆς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἐκλήθησαν Ααρων καὶ Μαριαμ καὶ ἐξήλθοσαν ἀμφότεροι NET Numbers 12:5 And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent; he then called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. NLT Numbers 12:5 Then the LORD descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. "Aaron and Miriam!" he called, and they stepped forward. ESV Numbers 12:5 And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. NIV Numbers 12:5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, KJV Numbers 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. YLT Numbers 12:5 And Jehovah cometh down in the pillar of the cloud, and standeth at the opening of the tent, and calleth Aaron and Miriam, and they come out both of them. LXE Numbers 12:5 And the three came forth to the tabernacle of witness; and the Lord descended in a pillar of a cloud, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of witness; and Aaron and Mariam were called; and both came forth. ASV Numbers 12:5 And Jehovah came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forth. CSB Numbers 12:5 Then the LORD descended in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward, NKJ Numbers 12:5 Then the LORD came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. Nu 11:25 Ex 34:5 40:38 Ps 99:7 Numbers 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 13:21-22+ The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. JEHOVAH CAME DOWN Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent - What did this pillar of cloud look like? We cannot be certain but it seems that the pillar of cloud that was normally positioned over the Tabernacle, now descended to the doorway of the tent! Imagine the pulse rate of Mariam and Aaron about this time! This recalls the previous "good meeting" in Numbers 11:25+ when "the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again." Pillar of cloud - 12x in 11v - Ex. 13:21-22; Ex. 14:19; Ex. 33:9; Ex. 33:10; Nu 12:5; Nu 14:14; Dt. 31:15; Neh 9:12; Neh 9:19; Ps. 99:7 The cloud was the unmistakable of the presence of Yahweh. Spurgeon on pillar of cloud in Ps 99:7 - Responses came to Moses and Aaron out of that glorious overshadowing cloud, and though Samuel saw it not, yet to him also came the mystic voice which was wont to thunder forth from that divine canopy. Men have had converse with God, let men therefore speak to God in return. He has told us things to come, let us in return confess the sins which are past; he has revealed his mind to us, let us then pour out our hearts before him. Related Resources: Shekinah glory cloud Tony Garland's The Abiding Presence of God Doorway of the tent of meeting - 44x in 44v - Exod. 29:4; Exod. 29:11; Exod. 29:32; Exod. 29:42; Exod. 38:8; Exod. 38:30; Exod. 40:12; Lev. 1:3; Lev. 1:5; Lev. 3:2; Lev. 4:4; Lev. 4:7; Lev. 4:18; Lev. 8:3; Lev. 8:4; Lev. 8:31; Lev. 8:33; Lev. 8:35; Lev. 10:7; Lev. 12:6; Lev. 14:11; Lev. 14:23; Lev. 15:14; Lev. 15:29; Lev. 16:7; Lev. 17:4; Lev. 17:5; Lev. 17:6; Lev. 17:9; Lev. 19:21; Num. 3:25; Num. 4:25; Num. 6:10; Num. 6:13; Num. 6:18; Num. 10:3; Num. 16:18; Num. 16:19; Num. 16:50; Num. 20:6; Num. 25:6; Num. 27:2; Jos. 19:51; 1 Sam. 2:22 Comment on doorway of the tent of meeting - "The Hebrew phrase used here, pethach ohel mo'ed, refers to the open area in front of the tent shrine in the tabernacle. This open area is also called the chatsar hammishkan (“courtyard of the tabernacle”; see Ex 27:9). This was the area accessible to laypeople, where they carried out their responsibilities for the sacrificial ritual, and met to hear Moses speak the word of Yahweh." (NIVSB) What a striking contrast this situation was with the previous chapter which describes how the LORD came down in grace and bestowed the gift of the Spirit on 70 elders (reminds me of