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Is Numbers 12 sexist?

S

shinydarkrai94

Member
Hi guys. Recently I've noticed that several commentators view Numbers 12 as a sexist passage. For those of you who don't know this chapter, it's the one where Miriam and Aaron argue with Moses and challenge his position. God comes down and yells at both of them and Miriam is given a skin disease. Aaron asks Moses to ask God to heal Miriam and Moses does. God heals Miriam but kicks her out of the camp for 7 days.

So the question is, why was Miriam punished with a white skin disease and Aaron got off free? Thom Stark, a liberal Christian that I've been debating, argues that this, and Yahweh's comments in verse 14, demonstrate that the authors of Numbers 12 were misogynist. I disagree.

*Self-promotion/under 20 posts/link removed*
 
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Romans 15:4
1 Corinthians 10:11

How is Numbers 12 written as an admonition and ensample for us?
You want to be able to explain it to someone?
Why do you ask another mans opinion?

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:39 KJV)

To prophesy is not to be able to tell the future, it's to be able to explain things that aren't understood. Something no man on his own can do.
 
It's not sexist, but IMO I believe it is because Aaron repented immediately after they were chastised by God, but could be that Miriam did not straightway repent as Aaron repented. I only come to this conclusion by using these two scriptures below.

2Samuel 19:19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
 
Seems to this reader most all the Scriptures are in todays terms sexist. I see different rolls for the sexes.
 
His ways are higher than our ways....

I try not to question God's actions. When I was a kid in Sunday School, I did that all the time. I was raised by post-modern, liberal professionals, so it came naturally. God broke me of a good bit of that nonsense, so now I realize just how foolish I am, especially compared to Divine Wisdom. I think instead of labeling such actions as "sexist" or whatever (post)modern label one can come up with, it might be wise to just approach it realizing that we're all frail, wretched, finite creatures, and these are the actions of an omnipotent, holy, infinite creator. Don't question: suspend your disbelief and be amazed.
 
I meant to do this before...I posted too fast. The three reasons for why I don't think Num 12 should be interpreted as misogynist necessarily are:

1 - Miriam acted first and appears to be the only one who attacked Moses' wife.
2 - Aaron was in a different position than Miriam.
3 - It's possible to view the punishments of Miriam and Aaron to be of equal harshness, since they were both shamed and they were probably more concerned about that since their society was focused on honor and shame.
 
Miriam and Aaron were griping about the position that Moses held and comparing themselves, as they said, "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard [it]. - (Num 12:2 KJV)


Compare that to what was spoken of in Jude: the Gainsaying of Core -
"And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, [Ye take] too much upon you, seeing all the congregation [are] holy, every one of them, and the LORD [is] among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" - (Num 16:3 KJV)

Both were challenges to the authority of Moses and both were dealt with, shall we say, "expeditiously".

The Lord did not smite Aaron but Aaron had immediately begun the job of intercession, for Miriam. Moses also sought the Lord on her behalf.

2Tim 2:16 admonishes us to "shun vain and profane babblings, for they shall increase unto more ungodliness." Proverbs 6:34 says, "Jealousy is the rage of a man". This refers to mankind, not just men -- we don't think of this as sexist, but it does point to the sin of all three, Miriam, Aaron and Korah.

As far as the allegation that God behaved in a sexist manner because Miriam was struck with leprosy and Aaron wasn't, Korah was sawllowed by the earth! "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that [appertained] unto Korah, and all [their] goods. They, and all that [appertained] to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that [were] round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up [also]. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense." - (Num 16:32-35 KJV)

What was actually happening was man's opposition against God's plan for a mediator. Comparisions were being made and justification (for them to be in the place of Moses) were made, "Doesn't God also speak by [through] us?" -and- "All the congregation is holy" (not just YOU)" -- this offense was against the Plan of God and against the One Mediator, as 1Tim 2:5 states, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Aaron did sin, but he immediately saw what God had done and aligned himself in Christ by intercession. Clearly then, God is no respector of persons, but He does look upon the heart.
 
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I think the suffering was given to Miriam but as a way to cause Aaron to regret his part in it since he had to suffer with her.

I used to have a bad spirit because of some things done to me by my parents as a child. I wanted them to know how much they had hurt me. Then in vision Jesus showed me my parents begging for forgivness at my feet after realizing what they had done. Their sorrow shook me to my core for I could not bear the sight of their anguish. I now hope they never see what they had done. I am just fine, that's all I want them to know. And that bad spirit and all of it's baggage was defeated.
 
It is not sexist. It is a condemnation of discrimination based on physical appearances verses a cultural misperception. There is also a prophetic element of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles with regards to God's plan for salvation.:twocents
 
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