“Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” Number 12:1 (NKJV)
In this situation, Miriam and Aaron talked negatively about Moses because he had married Zipporah during the time he had been in Midian. God had blessed Moses and Zipporah with two sons. It seems that Miriam and Aaron had a bit of jealousy in their hearts toward Moses.
Zipporah was different than the Hebrew women. The Bible identifies her as an Ethiopian woman here in Numbers. We also know that Jethro (Zipporah’s father) was a priest from Midian.
What appears to be significant is that Miriam and Aaron felt that as the leader of the Hebrew nation, Moses should not have a close relationship, such as marriage, with someone who was not a Hebrew.
What can I learn from this scene of the Bible? First, it seems to be important that I should not criticize anyone that God has placed in a leadership position. Second, I should not judge anyone based upon their genetics, where they were born, where they have lived, or anything that makes them different from myself.
Tonight we will look at God’s reaction to this attack on God’s chosen leader for the Israelites.
Listen to Rachael Lampa and Toby Mac as they sing “Perfectly Loved.”
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 1/23/25, 6:00 am