Moses' Intercession for Miriam
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Context:
Moses' intercession for Miriam is a significant event recorded in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 12. This chapter details an incident involving Moses, his siblings Aaron and Miriam, and the consequences of their actions against him. The narrative highlights themes of leadership, humility, divine justice, and mercy.

The Incident:
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, expressing jealousy and questioning his unique role as God's chosen leader. They said, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Has He not also spoken through us?" (Numbers 12:2). The Lord heard this and summoned Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to the Tent of Meeting.

Divine Response:
God descended in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tent. He called Aaron and Miriam forward and rebuked them, affirming Moses' unique position as His servant. The Lord said, "With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:8). The anger of the Lord burned against them, and He departed.

Miriam's Punishment:
As a result of her actions, Miriam was struck with leprosy, becoming "as white as snow" (Numbers 12:10). Aaron, recognizing the severity of their sin, pleaded with Moses to intercede on Miriam's behalf, acknowledging their foolishness and sin.

Moses' Intercession:
Demonstrating his humility and compassion, Moses cried out to the Lord, "O God, please heal her!" (Numbers 12:13). This brief yet earnest prayer reflects Moses' character as a mediator and his deep concern for his sister, despite her transgression against him.

God's Mercy and Justice:
The Lord responded to Moses' plea, but He insisted that Miriam bear the consequences of her actions. He decreed that she be confined outside the camp for seven days, after which she could be brought back. This period of separation served as both a punishment and a time for reflection and purification.

Theological Significance:
Moses' intercession for Miriam underscores several key theological themes. It highlights the importance of humility and the dangers of pride and jealousy within the community of faith. Moses' role as an intercessor prefigures the mediatory work of Christ, who intercedes on behalf of humanity. The incident also illustrates God's justice in addressing sin and His mercy in providing a path to restoration.

Lessons for Believers:
This account encourages believers to approach God with humility and to seek reconciliation and forgiveness when conflicts arise. It also serves as a reminder of the power of intercessory prayer and the importance of supporting one another in times of spiritual and physical need.
Subtopics

Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses

Miscegenation: Moses

Moses

Moses is a Herdsman for Jethro in the Desert of Horeb

Moses with Aaron Assembles the Leaders of Israel

Moses with his Wife and Sons, he Leaves Jethro to Perform his Mission in Egypt

Moses: 120 Years Old at Death

Moses: A Levite and Son of Amram

Moses: A Type of the Messiah

Moses: Along With Aaron

Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor

Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes

Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People

Moses: Body of, Disputed Over

Moses: Character of Called the Man of God

Moses: Character of Complainings of

Moses: Character of Faith of

Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend

Moses: Character of Impatience of

Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad

Moses: Character of Magnified of God

Moses: Character of Meekness of

Moses: Character of Obedience of

Moses: Character of Respected and Feared

Moses: Character of Unaspiring

Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites

Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh

Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed

Moses: Death and Burial of

Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh

Moses: Face of, Transfigured

Moses: God Reveals to Him his Purpose to Deliver the Israelites and Bring Them Into the Land of Canaan

Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush

Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket

Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision

Moses: His Loyalty to his Race

Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored

Moses: His Virility

Moses: Institutes a System of Government

Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward

Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness

Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian

Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt

Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness

Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab

Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah

Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron

Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration

Moses: Prophecies of

Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against

Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord

Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased

Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh

Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings

Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf

Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt

Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster

Moses: Unbelief of the People

Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt

Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses

Patriotism: Moses

Related Terms

Inheritance (263 Occurrences)

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)

Equally (21 Occurrences)

Estates (4 Occurrences)

Domain (5 Occurrences)

Portions (49 Occurrences)

Patrobas (1 Occurrence)

Benefits (12 Occurrences)

Chimham (4 Occurrences)

Sale (12 Occurrences)

Nero

Receives (43 Occurrences)

Equal (70 Occurrences)

Possessions (84 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Sold (92 Occurrences)

Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Besides (178 Occurrences)

Moses' Intercession
Top of Page
Top of Page