Topical Bible: Ambition: Aaron and Miriam

◄ Ambition: Aaron and Miriam ►

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In the biblical narrative, ambition is often portrayed with both positive and negative connotations. The account of Aaron and Miriam, siblings of Moses, provides a poignant example of ambition's potential pitfalls when it is not aligned with God's will.

Background

Aaron and Miriam were significant figures in the Exodus narrative. Aaron, the elder brother of Moses, was appointed by God as the first high priest of Israel (Exodus 28:1). Miriam, their sister, is recognized as a prophetess and played a crucial role during the Exodus, notably leading the women of Israel in song after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21).

The Incident of Ambition

The key episode involving ambition occurs in Numbers 12. Here, Aaron and Miriam express discontent with Moses' unique leadership role. Their ambition is revealed in their questioning of Moses' exclusive prophetic authority: "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Has He not also spoken through us?" (Numbers 12:2). This challenge to Moses' leadership indicates a desire for greater recognition and authority.

Divine Response

God's response to Aaron and Miriam's ambition is swift and decisive. The LORD calls the three siblings to the Tent of Meeting and descends in a pillar of cloud. He affirms Moses' unique position, stating, "With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:8). This divine rebuke underscores the gravity of their ambition-driven challenge.

Consequences

As a consequence of their actions, Miriam is struck with leprosy, turning her skin white as snow (Numbers 12:10). Aaron, recognizing their sin, pleads with Moses for her healing. Moses intercedes on her behalf, and God instructs that she be confined outside the camp for seven days, after which she is healed (Numbers 12:13-15).

Lessons on Ambition

The account of Aaron and Miriam serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition. It highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting God's chosen leaders and the roles He assigns. Ambition, when misaligned with divine purpose, can lead to discord and divine displeasure. Aaron and Miriam's experience reminds believers of the need for humility and submission to God's will, trusting in His wisdom and timing for the roles and responsibilities He bestows.

Related Themes

· Leadership and Authority: The narrative emphasizes the importance of respecting God-ordained leadership and the dangers of coveting positions not appointed by God.
· Humility and Submission: Aaron and Miriam's account illustrates the virtue of humility and the necessity of submitting to God's established order.
· Intercession and Mercy: Moses' intercession for Miriam highlights the power of prayer and God's willingness to show mercy in response to genuine repentance.

Cross-References

· Exodus 15:20-21: Miriam's role as a prophetess and leader among the women of Israel.
· Exodus 28:1: Aaron's appointment as the first high priest.
· Numbers 12:1-15: The full account of Aaron and Miriam's challenge to Moses' leadership and the consequences thereof.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 12:2-10
And they said, Has the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? has he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On Heresies.
... from those of the same sentiment out of ambition. ... with him raised a sedition against
Aaron, were consumed by ... Miriam also, who reproached Moses, was cast out of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on heresies.htm

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... shore, Miriam, the sister of Aaron, took a ... with timbrels and dances; And Miriam answered
them ... rapine [robbery, pillage], discord, hatred, ambition, avarice, and ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

The First Book
... The Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: How ... The contrast between Roman
and Greek ambition which follows ... uses the name Mary for the Biblical Miriam. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... forth honour to entice us to ambition, riches to ... at the intervention of His priest
Aaron (the humiliation ... Miriam the prophetess herself, who with her brothers ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... For wine is the first weapon used by demons against the young. Greed does not shake,
nor pride puff up, nor ambition infatuate so much as this. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... He refers to Moses and the leprosy of Miriam, who, because she chided her brother ...
those who call upon the name of the Lord: [4395] "Moses and Aaron among his ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

part i
... of Moses; the song of Zacharias"the father of the Forerunner; that of Hannah, the
mother of the prophet Samuel; that of the three children; and that of Miriam ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm