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Numbers 12 – Praying through the Bible #46 – A Prayer that is Black and White
Not everything is black and white, but in this chapter everything is, even the unexpected irony. “Black and white” means clear contrasts, as distinctive as black type on white paper; as differentiated as humility and jealousy; as obvious as, well, black and white.
The first contrast is between siblings. “Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses” (Nm 12.1). With their sister named first, most likely she is the instigator. This would fit the divine punishment and Aaron’s malleable character (Ex 32.21-24). Family. God’s support system often tries to undercut us. Sister and brother are seeking a greater role than God has blessed them with. They use truth to propagate their pride: “Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?” (12.2). Enough is never enough for those not humble. Miriam is the highest ranking woman (Ex 15.20-21). Aaron is the highest ranking man under Moses, as the High Priest. I doubt either wants more responsibility, just more glory. Moses is silent because “Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth” (Nm 12.3). Humility means we do not seek to defend ourselves against irrational criticisms. Jealousy is a form of pride resulting in wrongful, hurtful criticisms. Humility is willing to suffer and forgive. Humility wants others gifted by God (Nm 11.24-29), and does not seek greater glory.
The second contrast is between Moses and other prophets (12.6-8). God defends Moses because he does not defend himself. Unlike other prophets, including Miriam, God does not speak to Moses through visions, dreams, and in riddles; but directly. “Mouth to mouth” is the literal translation (12.8). This reminds me of Jesus’ relationship with His apostles (Jn 16.29-30). Moses even sees the form of God (Ex 33.18-23).
The third black and white contrast is my favorite. I love it because I love irony and because my family is black and white racially. “Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married” (Nm 12.1). When the real criticism is self-centered, many redirect blame by casting dispersion so they appear holier. Why point out Moses’ wife is a Cushite? To seek a rationale is to give credence to their complaint. Moses’ wife was simply different and being different is the criticism. How was she different? People of Cush were black! “‘Black is beautiful’ was a part of Jewish understanding before it became a slogan of black liberation in North America” (Plaut, Editor, The Torah, p.1103). Since Miriam is complaining about Moses’ black wife, God makes her deathly white (12.10-12)! I love the divine irony! Aaron, whose punishment is not physical but emotional, sees his sister suffering partly because of his weakness and arrogance. Humbled, he calls Moses “My lord” and confesses “this sin we have so foolishly committed” (12.11). Moses prays, “God, please heal her” (12.13).
Prayer Challenge: How do we view others more gifted, who receive greater blessings, and responsibilities and therefore more praise? Pick people we know greatly gifted by God and pray for them; thankful to God for their service and for our place of servitude.
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