Rebellion is in the air! Tragically, it manifests itself at the top of the leadership ladder. Aaron and Miriam, Moses' siblings, decide that they are better than their brother and set out to distract the attention from this God-appointed leader. God makes it quite clear that Moses is unlike any other - they speak together face to face. Miriam is punished with leprosy that relegates her to a place outside the camp for one week.
The leaders are not the only ones to rebel. Moses hand selects representatives from each tribe and sends them ahead on a reconnaissance mission. The report they bring back is one of gloom: the enemy is great and hopes for victory are almost nil. Only 2 of the 12 men speak in favor of the people advancing with God's help. They are quickly overruled. God is not pleased and desires to make a new nation from Moses' bloodlines. Moses demonstrates the meekness that God has already commended by asking God to honor His reputation by allowing the nation of Israel to continue to receive His favor. God grants this request; but those 10 men whose report swayed the nation to disobedience would die, as would all citizens over the age of twenty - except for the 2 faithful men Joshua and Caleb.
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