Why God punished Miriam
In order to understand the significance of Miriam's role, and her subsequent judgment, it's necessary to understand the progression of the offence: Numbers12:15
1.She spoke first. Therefore, Scripture mentions her first.
2.Miriam was the instigator of the open rebellion, as we may see both from the fact that her name stands before that of Aaron.
Numbers 12:1. Aaron followed her, being no more able to resist the suggestions of his sister, than he had formerly been to resist the desire of the people for a golden idol (Exodus 32).
3.The Lord summoned the 3 of them (Moses, Aaron, and Miriam) to the door of the Tabernacle (vs 6) He called Aaron and Miriam and said;
Numbers 12:6 (KJV) 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.
4.Miriam was identified as a "prophetess" (Ex. 15:20)
5.In other words, the Lord will reveal Himself to her at the time and place of His choosing, whether it be by vision or dream. But with Moses, "...he is faithful in all My house.
Miriam's Sin and Judgment
Therefore, God was specifically rebuking Miriam, in explaining the difference between her calling and Moses's calling. The suggestion was Moses was somehow "tainted" by marrying a Cushite, and therefore not 'worthy' of the office he held; God specifically directed His rebuke towards her, reminding her of who He designates as approaching Him, and dare she presume herself to be more 'righteous' than Moses, who in the same passage was said to be(,v 3)
5.The judgment for her critical spirit was leprosy, which appeared on her flesh as a "whiteness", but a whiteness that is a sign of rotting flesh, the byproduct of leprosy. What was hidden in the inside became evident on the outside.
Aaron, in the passage quoted, readily recognizes his and Miriam's sin. Because he held the office of High Priest, he bore the iniquity not only of himself, but also the whole nation. Ex. 28:38 describes the the mitre on Aaron.
6.Aaron, by virtue of his office bore the iniquity of all; including Miriam's. In stating that Miriam's flesh is half consumed,
7. Aaron is readily bearing the iniquity of Miriam, and acknowledging his own in the process. It is up to Moses to petition God for mercy on Miriam's behalf; which he does and God answers, yet Miriam must go through a time of impurity, acknowledging her sin and accepting the consequences of it; though the Lord honors Moses's prayer and delivers her.
Summary
God directed His anger towards Miriam because she was taking to herself a role that wasn't hers. The same rebuke also applied to Aaron, yet it seems he already acknowledges his sin, and petitions on behalf of Miriam. Aaron, in ministering in the role of High Priest, acknowledges his and Israel's iniquities before God and consequently makes his plea to Moses, who intercedes for them. God restores both of them, and gives them an object lesson lest they forget.
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