So Moses cried out to the LORD, "O God, please heal her!" So Moses cried outThe phrase "cried out" in Hebrew is "צָעַק" (tsa'aq), which conveys a sense of urgent, heartfelt pleading. This is not a casual request but a desperate appeal. Moses, known for his humility and close relationship with God, demonstrates his compassion and leadership by interceding fervently for his sister, Miriam. This act of crying out is a model of intercessory prayer, showing that even in moments of personal hurt or betrayal, one can seek God's mercy for others. to the LORD
The term "LORD" here is the tetragrammaton "יהוה" (YHWH), the personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. It signifies a covenant relationship, reminding us of God's faithfulness and His willingness to listen to His people. Moses approaches God not just as a deity but as a covenant partner, highlighting the intimacy and trust in their relationship. This underscores the importance of knowing God personally and approaching Him with confidence in His character and promises. O God
The Hebrew word for "God" here is "אֵל" (El), a term that emphasizes God's power and might. By addressing God as "El," Moses acknowledges God's supreme authority and ability to heal. This invocation is a recognition of God's sovereignty over all creation, including human health and well-being. It serves as a reminder that in times of crisis, believers can turn to an all-powerful God who is capable of intervening in miraculous ways. please heal her
The plea "please heal her" is a direct and humble request for divine intervention. The Hebrew word for "heal" is "רָפָא" (rapha), which means to restore to health or to make whole. This reflects the biblical understanding of God as Jehovah Rapha, "The Lord Who Heals." Moses' request is not just for physical healing but also for restoration of relationship and community, as Miriam's leprosy had caused separation. This highlights the holistic nature of God's healing, which encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In Numbers 12:13, Moses intercedes for his sister Miriam after she is struck with leprosy. 2. MiriamThe sister of Moses and Aaron, who, along with Aaron, spoke against Moses. As a result, she was struck with leprosy by God. 3. AaronThe brother of Moses and Miriam, who also spoke against Moses. Unlike Miriam, Aaron was not struck with leprosy but pleaded with Moses for her healing. 4. GodThe sovereign Lord who disciplines Miriam for her actions but listens to Moses' plea for her healing. 5. IsraelitesThe people of God, witnessing the events and learning from the leadership and intercession of Moses. Teaching Points The Power of IntercessionMoses' immediate response to pray for Miriam teaches us the importance of interceding for others, even when they have wronged us. Humility in LeadershipMoses' humility is evident as he does not retaliate against Miriam and Aaron but instead seeks God's mercy for them. God's Discipline and MercyGod's response to Miriam's sin shows that He disciplines those He loves but is also merciful when we repent and seek forgiveness. The Consequences of Pride and RebellionMiriam's punishment serves as a warning against pride and speaking against God's chosen leaders. The Role of Community in RestorationThe Israelites' waiting for Miriam's healing before moving on illustrates the importance of community support in the process of restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' response to Miriam's punishment reflect the character of Christ, and how can we emulate this in our relationships? 2. In what ways does the account of Miriam's leprosy and healing illustrate the balance between God's justice and mercy? 3. How can we apply the principle of intercession in our daily prayer life, especially for those who may have wronged us? 4. What lessons can we learn from Aaron's role in this account about acknowledging our mistakes and seeking forgiveness? 5. How does the community's response to Miriam's situation inform our understanding of supporting one another in times of discipline and restoration? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 15:20-21Miriam is previously seen as a leader and prophetess among the Israelites, highlighting her significant role before her rebellion. James 5:16This verse emphasizes the power of prayer, similar to Moses' intercession for Miriam's healing. 1 John 1:9The concept of confession and forgiveness is mirrored in Aaron's plea and Moses' intercession, showing God's readiness to forgive. People Aaron, Miriam, MosesPlaces Hazeroth, Wilderness of ParanTopics Beg, Beseech, Cried, Crieth, Crying, Heal, Healing, O, Please, Prayer, SayingDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 12:13 5103 Moses, significance
8301 love, and enemies
8786 opposition, to sin and evil Numbers 12:1-15 5550 speech, negative
5737 sisters Numbers 12:10-15 5298 doctors
8614 prayer, answers Library Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaNinth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ and the Christian's Citizenship in Heaven.
Text: Philippians 3, 17-21. 17 Brethren, be ye imitators [followers] together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample. 18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 20 For our citizenship [conversation] is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 who …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Moses the Type of Christ.
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken."--Deut. xviii. 15. The history of Moses is valuable to Christians, not only as giving us a pattern of fidelity towards God, of great firmness, and great meekness, but also as affording us a type or figure of our Saviour Christ. No prophet arose in Israel like Moses, till Christ came, when the promise in the text was fulfilled--"The Lord thy God," says Moses, "shall …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel "But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying," &c. The cunning of Satan, and the deceitfulness of our own hearts, are such that when a grosser temptation will not prevail with conscience in some measure enlightened, then they transform themselves into angels of light, and deal more subtilely with us. And there is no greater subtilty of Satan, nor no stronger self deceit, than this, to palliate and cover vices with the shadow of virtue, and to present corruptions under the similitude of graces. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
The arrangements of the synagogue, as hitherto described, combined in a remarkable manner fixedness of order with liberty of the individual. Alike the seasons and the time of public services, their order, the prayers to be offered, and the portions of the law to be read were fixed. On the other hand, between the eighteen "benedictions" said on ordinary days, and the seven repeated on the Sabbaths, free prayer might be inserted; the selection from the prophets, with which the public reading concluded--the …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 12:13 NIVNumbers 12:13 NLTNumbers 12:13 ESVNumbers 12:13 NASBNumbers 12:13 KJV
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