Miriam Green-eyed Monster, Part 2

In-laws—the very word produces in many a visceral reaction. One report even concluded that over 60 percent of women determined the cause of their deep- seated misery to originate from their in-laws, in particular their female in-laws.

For Miriam, it was her sister-in-law Zipporah, Moses’ wife, who unwittingly roused her ire. Zipporah’s father Jethro, with whom Moses had spent 40 years as a shepherd, had counseled his son-in-law to divide some of his leadership tasks among a team of godly men (Exodus 18:17–23). Moses willingly executed the plan, appointing seventy elders and apportioning the Israelites among them—all without the approval of Aaron and Miriam.

Miriam’s pride was rankled. How dare Moses not consult her and her brother first! Was it not their right and privilege as leaders of Israel? Who did Moses think he was? She began whispering in Aaron’s ear. They were being ousted— and it was all the fault of that conniving Zipporah and her meddlesome father. So consuming was her jealousy that she resorted to technicality, character defamation, and shameless self-promotion (Numbers 12:1, 2).

But it was not only Aaron who heard her complaints: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9). God instructed the three siblings, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, to meet in the sanctuary (Numbers 12:4). There, He rebuked Miriam and Aaron for sowing seeds of discontent against their own brother. None of them was mighty or skilled in his or her own right but had been made His prophets, His messengers, His servants by His grace alone. And of the three, Moses stood alone as God’s privileged friend (vv. 6–8).

As a result, Miriam, the instigator, was stricken with leprosy (v. 10). The envy that had eaten her up on the inside was now revealed before all. Though Miriam was healed, in accordance with the sanitary laws she was then quarantined for one week. What must those seven days have been like for her? Humiliated, broken, this great leader had time to think long and hard about what she had done. In complete isolation she had no one to blame—not Zipporah, not Jethro, not Moses—no one but herself.

The Bible records no second act of rebellion by the prophetess. In meekness she passed to her grave.

Reflect: What do you covet? Have you ever gossiped about anyone in order to gain what you want?

Key Bible Texts

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. (Proverbs 14:30 KJV)