| And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. (Numbers 12:2) |
Miriam was Moses’ sister. Following Pharaoh’s edict that all males under the age of two years be killed, Moses’ mother Jochebed set him afloat in a basket on the river. She knew Pharaoh’s daughter bathed in that river. Miriam kept watch. When the Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses, Mariam directed her to Jochebed to be Moses’ wet nurse. When the Israelites were freed from bondage under Pharaoh, Miriam and her brothers Moses and Aaron led the Israelites out of bondage.
Miriam was the first person in the Bible to be referred to as a prophetess, God’s spokesperson. Miriam’s words had divine authority. She held a significant leadership position in the Israelites’ journey out of bondage, and on to the land promised them by God. After the people, newly freed from bondage crossed the Red Sea and escaped the Egyptian army, Miriam led the women in songs and dancing in praise of God for their freedom and safety.
Years later, the Israelites were still wandering in the desert seeking the land God promised them. God stayed with them and provided direction for their lives and their relationship with Him. It was during this time that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. He directed the people on the building and furnishings of the tabernacles, the appointment of priests, the foods that were clean for their consumption. Through all those years Miriam continued to be a leader.
Moses’ wife died and he married a Cushite (Ethiopian) woman. Miriam and Moses’s brother Aaron opposed the marriage. No reason given for their opposition, but the bigger issue was probably a matter of leadership. Miriam and Aaron questioned Moses’ authority by implying God had also given them authority. God was not pleased with Aaron and Miriam. . He had given them authority, but Moses was His chosen leader.
God rebuked Aaron, but his punishment of Miriam was more severe. Her skin turned white with leprosy, and she was banished from the Israelite’s camp. Moses appealed to the Lord to redeem Miriam and He answered his prayer. Miriam was healed after seven days.
Biblical Principles
- God showed Miriam favor by endowing her with the gift of prophesy and leadership for the Israelite women. (Exodus 15:20)
- Miriam had the Israelite women praise God in song and dance when they crossed the Red Sea safely. (Exodus 15:210)
- God blessed Moses’ marriage to the Cushite woman, but He punished Miriam with leprosy when she criticized the marriage and challenged Moses’s authority. (Numbers 12:1-2)
- Moses prayed for Miriam’s healing. God answered his prayer and Miriam was cleansed of her leprosy. (Numbers 12:15)
For Women Today
God chose Miriam to prophesy and lead the Israelite women. The Bible is full of stories of women who are chosen by God for leadership. But leadership requires humility and obedience to God. Just like us Miriam had strengths and weaknesses. But when she let jealousy and pride overcome her strengths, she displeased God and paid a price. God’s love for us is eternal, but our love for Him must be manifested in our obedience and honor of His direction for our lives. Our obedience brings us closer to God
| And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:6) |
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