The teaching you are about to explore offers a profound reminder of how G-d works in the lives of His people—and the essential role humility plays in hearing His voice. In this study of Numbers 12, Dr. Baruch Korman from the Zera Avraham Institute leads us through a powerful and relevant passage that confronts issues still present within the believing community today: pride, racism, anti-Semitism, false spirituality, and the danger of religious pretension.
Although every human being is created by G-d, the transforming work—the work that repairs, rebuilds, convicts, sanctifies, and leads to righteousness—is reserved for those who have entered into the New Covenant, the covenant of peace in Messiah Yeshua. This covenant promises fulfillment, restoration, and the ability to live out G-d’s purposes through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leads us into truth, and refuses to let a true believer remain in willful rebellion. This means something essential: racism and anti-Semitism cannot coexist with genuine faith, for both stand in direct opposition to the heart, character, and purposes of G-d. A believer may stumble, but the Holy Spirit will convict, correct, and realign that heart with righteousness. Those who persist in hatred or prejudice without repentance reveal a deeper issue—one John describes as a sign of false faith: “They went out from us because they were never of us.”
A Conflict Born from Pride
Numbers 12 opens with an uncomfortable but honest moment: Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. The text emphasizes Miriam’s role—her voice leading this complaint—and immediately exposes a heart problem: prejudice, jealousy, and pride.
Rather than addressing Moses’ leadership openly, Miriam attempts to undermine him spiritually, insisting that G-d speaks to everyone equally. But the L-rd Himself responds, publicly declaring that Moses’ humility set him apart:
“Moses was very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth.”
This humility—rare, deep, and genuine—is the reason Moses heard from G-d in a uniquely intimate way. G-d reveals that while prophets may receive visions or dreams, Moses receives direct communication: “mouth to mouth,” without riddles, without obscurity.
And then comes the divine rebuke:
“Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, Moses?”
To speak against a person whom G-d has appointed—even under the guise of “spiritual critique”—is to oppose the L-rd Himself.
Judgment, Repentance, and Mercy
The anger of the L-rd burns against Miriam and Aaron, and Miriam becomes leprous, white as snow—a graphic physical picture of the spiritual corruption that fueled her accusation. Aaron immediately recognizes their sin:
- “We have acted foolishly.”
- “We have sinned.”
He turns—not to G-d directly—but to Moses, acknowledging the unique authority G-d placed upon him.
Moses intercedes with compassion, crying out:
“O G-d, please heal her!”
G-d responds, but Miriam must remain outside the camp for seven days—an act of correction, shame, and purification. The people do not move forward until she returns. Even in discipline, G-d extends mercy and restores her.
This passage teaches several foundational truths:
- Pride blinds us to spiritual reality.
Miriam believed she was spiritually equal to Moses. Pride convinces us that our perspective is as authoritative as G-d’s appointed order.
- Evil speech is never a small matter.
Biblical leprosy represents the consequences of speaking in ways that damage another’s reputation.
- Humility positions us to hear from G-d.
Moses’ greatness was rooted not in talent or status, but in a heart fully surrendered.
- True believers respond to conviction.
Aaron and Moses both show what humility does: it repents, intercedes, and restores.
- G-d opposes attitudes contrary to His character.
Racism and anti-Semitism are deeply offensive to Him; they cannot dwell unchecked in the heart of a true believer.
Walking in Humility and Truth Today
This chapter challenges believers to examine their hearts. Pride can appear not only in arrogance but also in the fear of failure—when we refuse to serve G-d because we worry we might not perform well. Both forms place the focus on ourselves rather than on G-d’s power.
But when we humble ourselves:
- G-d brings us into intimacy with Him.
- He speaks clearly.
- He empowers us to fulfill His purposes.
- He uses us to exalt His name, not our own.
The New Covenant invites us into a life shaped by the Holy Spirit—where success is measured not by applause but by obedience, not by status but by faithfulness, not by talent but by surrender.
May this study strengthen your walk, increase your reverence for G-d, and deepen your desire to live with humility, truth, and devotion to His will.
Shalom from Israel.
Learn More
Visit LoveIsrael.org for more Bible teachings, articles, and video messages from Dr. Baruch.
You can also watch this full teaching on YouTube at LoveIsrael Channel or listen through the My Bible Study mobile app.
