121 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because e of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman ); 2 and they said , "Has the Lord indeed spoken only e through Moses ? Has He not spoken through us as well ?" And the Lord heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very humble , more than any man who was on the face of the earth .)
4 Suddenly the Lord said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam , "You three come out to the tent of meeting ." So the three of them came out. 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 , 6 He said , "Hear now My words : If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord , shall make Myself known to him in a vision . I shall speak with him in a dream . 7 "Not so , with My servant Moses , He is faithful in all My household ; 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth , Even openly , and not in dark sayings , And he beholds the form of the Lord . Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant , against Moses ?" 9 So the anger of the Lord burned against them and He departed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 12:1-9
Commentary on Numbers 12:1-9
(Read Numbers 12:1-9)
The patience of Moses was tried in his own family, as well as by the people. The pretence was, that he had married a foreign wife; but probably their pride was hurt, and their envy stirred up, by his superior authority. Opposition from our near relations, and from religious friends, is most painful. But this is to be looked for, and it will be well if in such circumstances we can preserve the gentleness and meekness of Moses. Moses was thus fitted to the work he was called to. God not only cleared Moses, but praised him. Moses had the spirit of prophecy in a way which set him far above all other prophets; yet he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he; and our Lord Jesus infinitely excels him, 2 Peter 2:10. The removal of God's presence is the surest and saddest token of God's displeasure. Woe to us, if he depart! he never departs, till by sin and folly we drive him from us.