Commentary on the Pentateuch, Commentary 4 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Verſ. 1. ANd Miriam and Aaron ſpake] She is ſet firſt, becauſe chief in the tranſgreſſion: Her diſcontent might ariſe from this, that being a Propheteſs, ſhe was not one of thoſe ſeventy that were choſen to be helps in government, Chap. 11. According to her name, Miriam would be exalted: Ambition rides without reins.
Becauſe of the Ethiopian woman] Zipporah the Midianiteſſe, (ſee Habac. 3.7.) to whom he had been married many years before; but they were reſolved to pick a hole in Moſes's coat. An ungodly man diggeth up evil, Prov. 16.27. but for Moſes to be thus uſed by his own brother and ſiſter, was ſome triall of his patience. To be derided by Egyptians, is threatned as a miſery, Hoſ. 7.16. but to be reproached by profeſſors, is very grievous. Zedekiah feared more to be mocked by the Jews, then by the Chaldees, Jer. 38.19. [For he had married an Ethiopian] That was an old fault, if any; and ſhould have been buried in oblivion. Luther married a wife unſeaſonably, when all Germany was now embroyled, and embrewed in the blood of the Bores; and when all Saxony was in heavineſs for the death of their good Prince Elector Frederick. This, his beſt friends diſliked and bewailed. Mel. Epiſt. ad Camerar.As for Melancthon, Quoniam vero, inquit, ipſum Lutherum qu…dammodò triſtiorem eſſe cerno, & perturbatum ob vitae mutationem, omni ſtudio & benevolentia conſolari eum conor; Becauſe I ſee him ſomewhat caſt down, ſaith He, at the late change of his condition, I ſtrive all I can to comfort him.
Verſ. 2. Hath the Lord ſpoken only by Moſes?] Every man would be ſomething at home; and many care not to raiſe themſelves upon other mens ruines. Self-love teacheth ſuch to turn the glaſs, to ſee themſelves bigger, others leſſer then they are. That man hath true light, that can be content to be a candle before the Sun of others.
And the Lord heard it] Without any delation of Moſes. But while Moſes is dumb, God ſpeaks; while he is deaf, God hears and ſtirres. The more ſilent the patient is, the more ſhrill his wrong will be.
Verſ. 3. Now the man Moſes was very meek] So free from paſſions, (if Joſephus may be believed) that he knew no ſuch thing in his own ſoul; he only knew the names of ſuch things, and ſaw them in others, rather then in himſelf. Of Beza it is ſaid, quòd ſine felle vixerit, that he was without gall or guile; and he lived to a great age as Moſes did, and as Mr. Dod did; their meekneſs preſerved them. [Above all the men] And yet Moſes could be angry enough when there was cauſe, Exod. 11.8. & 16.20. Levit. 1….16. Numb. 16.15, &c. Yea, how bleſſedly blown up was he, with a zeal for God, Exod. 32.19. and what a ſtomack ſhews he in that caſe? Nazianzen ſaith of Athanaſius, that he was Magnes & Adamas, a Load-ſtone in his ſweet gentle drawing nature, and yet an Adamant in his reſolute ſtout carriage againſt thoſe that were evil.
Verſ. 4. And the Lord ſpake ſuddenly] God takes his part ever, that fights not for himſelf. Chriſt that ſaid, I ſeek not mine own glory, adds, But there is one that ſeeks is, and judgeth. Here he appears as a ſwift witneſs, Mal. 3.5, &c. a ſharp revenger of his ſervants injuries. The rule is, Injuria illata legato redundat in legantem; Wrong done to a meſſenger, reflects on him that ſent him.
Verſ. 7. My ſervant Moſes is not ſo] God had never ſo much magnified Moſes to them, but for their envy. We cannot deviſe to pleaſure Gods ſervants ſo much, as by deſpiting them. Quiſquis volens detrahit famae meae, nolens addit mercedi meae, ſaith Auguſtine, He that willingly detracteth from mine honour, doth, though againſt his will, adde to my reward.
Verſ. 8. And the ſimilitude] See the Note on Exod. 33.20.
Verſ. 9. And he departed] Yea wo alſo to them, when I depart from them, Hoſ. 9.12. then all evills come in as by a ſluce; the final abſence of God, is hell it ſelf.
Verſ. 10. Miriam became leprous] How ſcaped Aaron? foreign, Hom. 3. ad Coloſſ.for the dignity of the Prieſthooſt he was ſpared, ſaith Chryſoſtom. Rather, he met God by repentance, and ſo diſarmed his indignation, and redeemed his own ſorrow.