Numbers 12:1-16
"The tongue", says James, "is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:6 . . .). Once again we notice its ravages. Not here in the form of grumblings among the "mixed multitude" (ch. 11), but of criticisms and slanders which defile the most honourable of the family of the leaders of the people: Aaron the High Priest and Miriam the prophetess. Their malicious words had perhaps been whispered "in the ear" in the greatest secrecy (Luke 12:3). But . . . "the LORD heard it" (v. 2; Numbers 11:1). Let us never forget that our most confidential remarks have One who hears them in heaven. Moses says nothing. Every time a challenge to the LORD’S rights is involved, his anger flares up righteously, but for his own defence his extreme meekness is demonstrated by his silence. Thus it is God who takes up the defence of His servant. He summons the three concerned into the tabernacle, then calls on the two guilty ones to step forward. The gravity of the punishment reveals that of the sin committed. Miriam is smitten with leprosy. For the first time Moses opens his mouth to plead for his unfortunate sister that she should be healed.
May the Lord preserve us from "envies, and all evil speakings"! (1 Peter 2:1).