Free group study handout
Numbers 12: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Numbers 12 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses due to the Cushite woman he had married (vv. 1-2). They questioned whether Yahweh had spoken only with Moses.
Key verse
“With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
Numbers 12:8 (WEB)
Outline
- Numbers 12:1–2 Miriam and Aaron's Criticism
- Numbers 12:3 Moses' Humility
- Numbers 12:4–8 God's Response
- Numbers 12:9–10 Divine Judgment
- Numbers 12:11–13 Aaron's Plea for Mercy
- Numbers 12:14–15 Miriam's Isolation
- Numbers 12:16 Departure from Hazeroth
Discussion questions
- In v1, why do Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses?
- What does Yahweh say in v6 about how He communicates with prophets?
- Yahweh’s anger in v9: why does He respond so strongly to Miriam and Aaron?
- Miriam's leprosy in v10: what does this signify about the consequences of their actions?
- When have you faced criticism that challenged your position like Moses in this chapter?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Numbers 12: Matthew 5, Exodus 33, Numbers 11.
Before next time: read Numbers 13.