Many people have attempted to make accusations against a Godly person thinking that their actions surely must be wrong. Can you recall any? The number one that ought to come to mind would be Jesus. What about Paul? Any one of the 12 apostles who suffered for their faith and died because of the name of Jesus would be named in this company. In Numbers 12 Moses is being ridiculed because of the ethnicity of his wife. Remember Moses marrying Zipporah back in Exodus 2 whom we read in Exodus 18 is reunited with her husband after his dangerous dealings with Pharaoh in Egypt. Remember at this point in the wanderings, the Israelites have just celebrated the second Passover (the first being in Egypt). It could be understood that the Exodus 18 passage lines up closely with this passage in Numbers 12 when Aaron and Miriam find room of complaint against the Midianite (also known as Cushite) wife, Zipporah.
But as we read the story, we find that there is more reason for complaint than just Moses' choice of a wife more than 40 years ago. Miriam is really looking for more power from God. But we learn of the humility and meekness of Moses (12:3). To be humble or meek is harnessing power to do what is right for a given situation. Picture a strong stallion. Such a beast has the power to trample any human who attempts to harness it; however, by nature it chooses to submit to the owner's authority. This is the picture of being meek. Jesus said in Matthew 5 "Blessed are the meek...for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God." Moses was a strong man with much God-given authority. Rather than trample Aaron and Miriam for their opposition, he prayed to God and allowed God to handle the situation more appropriately. In your life, what opportunities do you have to display God-given humility and meekness?
Numbers 13-14 offers us an explanation as to why this generation of people were left wandering and never allowed to enter the promised land. Moses sent spies into the land to spy it out for 40 days so they could bring a report as to the demographics of the land. He wanted them to report the type of land, the size of the cities, how developed the cities were, what kind of produce grew in the land, etc. Their report came back mixed, however. A group who opposed going to war and starting a conflict with the inhabitants falsely reported the land. However, Joshua and Caleb reported accurately and assured the people that if God is on their side, who can oppose them? The congregation's lack of faith angered God and nearly led Him to destory them all and start over--however, God knew His promises that He had made. God never forgets His promise. Moses had not calmed God down...rather God voiced what He "could have done" but remained true to His promise.
Due to their distrust in God, God sentences them to a lifetime of wandering. They will die in wandering. Anyone who is 20 or older will never see the land flowing with milk and honey. They will die eating manna and quail. God will see to it that they be punished for their lack of trust in God.
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