Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.) (Numbers 12:1-3 NKJV)

Why was Miriam and Aaron against Moses marriage to the Ethiopian woman?

Several possible reasons:

It may be because of racial prejudice because the Ethiopian woman was a black African.

It may because she was from a different nation and the Lord discouraged intermarriage of the Israelites with other nations.

The reason may also be that Aaron and his sister covet the leadership position. However, most likely it is a combination of all three reasons.

But, regardless of the reasons the most important thing is to assess the evil spirits that were using Moses’ siblings to fight against him.

These spirits are pride and deception.

The Bible tells us that a person is deceived by his own pride (Isaiah 49:16, Obadiah 1:3). Therefore, both
spirits go hand in hand.

Consequences of pride and deception

A prideful person thinks highly of himself (2 Chronicles 26:16).

Aaron and Miriam thought they were just as worthy as Moses to hear directly from God.

Pride leads to jealousy, which leads to slander and backbiting.

These were the actions of Aaron and Miriam when they spoke against Moses.

“The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor…” (Psalms 10:2A).

The prideful person is filled with violence and strife (Psalms 73:6; Proverbs 13:10).

God’s response to pride and deception

God hears every deceitful and condemning words spoken against His people.

God immediately takes action against pride and deception.

He will break the power of pride as he did to Miriam by striking her with the most repulsive form of disease – leprosy. The afflicted person was isolated from family and friends.

The deceitful person will be caught in the plots which they have devised (Psalms 10:2B).

They will be captured by their own pride (Psalms 59:12).

The prideful person will be shamed (Proverbs 11:2). “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 NLT)

“A man’s pride will bring him low” (Proverbs 29:23A).

“God will push down Moab’s people as a swimmer pushes down water with his hands. He will end their pride and all their evil works. The high walls of Moab will be demolished. They will be brought down to the ground, down into the dust. (Isaiah 25:11-12 NKJV)

Solution to pride

Humility

Miriam’s punishment was to teach her humility. Therefore, if you humble yourself before the Lord you
will be spared His wrath (2 Chronicles 32:26)

“Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19 NKJV)
“But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” (Proverbs 29:23B NKJV)

Prayer

Prayer will break the power of pride when you pray without ceasing.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal areas of pride in your heart and repent to God.

Thanksgiving

Having a grateful heart will keep you humble. Be thankful in every situation whether good and bad.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

Service

By helping others you will think less of yourself and more of others.

Additional Bible verses to meditate on

The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. (Psalms 10: 2 NLT)

Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts. Don’t let the proud trample me or the wicked push me around. Look! Those who do evil have fallen! They are thrown down, never to rise again. (Psalms 36:10-12 NLT)

Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies. Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. (Psalms 59:12-13 NLT)