Numbers 12

Moses' brother and sister complain about Moses. 


Miriam was Moses' sister, and Aaron was Moses' brother.  They started complaining about Moses.  They were upset because Moses married a woman from Ethiopia.  Ethiopia is a country south of Egypt.
[1] And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.


Moses was the most humble man on earth. This means that he did not think he was better than the other Israelites. Miriam and Aaron said that God didn't speak only to Moses. They said He talked to them, too.
[2] And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
[3] (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)


God was angry with Miriam and Aaron. He told them to come to the tabernacle.
[4] And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.


God came down in the cloud and was in the door of the tabernacle.  He told Miriam and Aaron to come closer.
[5] And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.


God told them to listen to Him. He said that when He speaks to His prophets, he talks to them in visions or dreams.  But Moses is special. Moses is in charge of all of the Israelites.  God talks to Moses face-to-face. Moses has seen God. Miriam and Aaron should not complain and say bad things about Moses. 
[6] And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
[7] My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
[8] With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?


God was mad at Miriam and Aaron. He left, and the cloud went up.  When the cloud left, Miriam's skin was different. It was white, and she had leprosy (a bad skin disease). 
[9] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
[10] And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

Aaron talked to Moses. He asked for Moses to help Miriam. Aaron knew that he and Miriam had behaved badly. He begged Moses not to punish them.  He begged Moses not to make Miriam's skin bad like someone who is almost dead. 
[11] And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
[12] Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.


Moses prayed to God. He asked God to help Miriam. He asked God to heal Miriam so she would not have the bad skin disease.
[13] And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.


God talked to Moses.  If Miriam's father had punished her by spitting in her face, she would have to stay outside the camp for 7 days.  So, the same time is the punishment now. She should stay outside the camp for 7 days. Then she can come back in.   
[14] And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.


Miriam stayed outside the camp for 7 days.  The Israelites did not move away.  They waited for Miriam to come back.
[15] And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.