By Ezekiel Kimosop
Miriam is first introduced to the Bible reader in Exodus 15:20 where she is described as "Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron." Miriam led the Hebrew women in celebrating the great hand of God that saw the Egyptians drown in the Red Sea. The defeat and destruction of the Pharaoh and his mighty army is recorded in Exodus 14.
Who was Miriam? This article seeks to examine Miriam's character and her influence as a leader in Israel in her time.
Miriam was the sister of Aaron and Moses. Given that she is the only sister among the three siblings of Amram son of Levi, she was possibly the girl mentioned in Exodus 2 who ingeniously suggested to Pharaoh's daughter that she identifies a Hebrew maid for Moses who had just been salvaged from the River Nile. This marks out Miriam as the eldest of the children of Amram. However Exodus 2 makes no mention of Aaron who is listed as Moses' elder brother in Exodus 7:7.
Little is known about Miriam beyond the few references in Scripture [twelve in number]. She is mentioned in only four Old Testament Scripture Books - Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and 1 Chronicles (Numbers 12:1, 4 5, 10,15; 20:1; 26:59; Deuteronomy 24:9; 1 Chronicles 6:3-4).
In 1 Chronicles 6:3-4, Miriam's father is identified as Amram, a son of Levi. This Scripture conveys God's confirmation of Miriam's prophetic stature. God declares that He sent before the children of Israel Moses Aaron, and Miriam. The order of names in this context signifies their ranking in prophetic authority.
Moses was the last born among the Amram siblings yet he was God's chosen leader over Israel. Aaron was the first High Priest of Israel while Miriam was a minor prophet. Again this is a lesson to us that God is not a respecter of persons. The Bible is replete with illustrations that demonstrate that God can elevate a person of insignificance from social obscurity to stardom!
Miriam is perhaps most remembered for her conspiracy with Aaron in Numbers 12:1-16 where she scolded Moses for taking an Ethiopian woman. What started as sibling rivalry mutated to a divine controversy.
Miriam had crossed the Rubicon when she questioned Moses' prophetic authority over Israel, saying "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also...?”(v.2). It could be true that God had spoken through the other siblings in the past but Miriam's condescending attitude against Moses was unacceptable.
God's wrath was kindled against her and she was immediately struck with leprosy. Her leprous condition held back Israel's wilderness journey by seven days as the people waited for her to recover. God was extremely gracious to Miriam. She could have been instantly struck dead!
Miriam went on to serve the Lord until she died in the wilderness during the 40 years wilderness journey. The death of Miriam in Kadesh is recorded in Numbers 20:1. No mourning period was mentioned by the writer. This was perhaps because of the disgrace that she had invited upon herself in confronting her brother Moses. It could also suggest that her prophetic stature had been downgraded.
Despite her sibling seniority and prophetic stature, Miriam ranked third in leadership authority after Moses and Aaron. Little is known of her prophetic works in Scripture. This does not however suggest or imply that her prophetic ministry was insignificant. God may have spoken through her on some occasions that are not recorded in Scripture.
Despite her sibling seniority and prophetic stature, Miriam ranked third in leadership authority after Moses and Aaron. Little is known of her prophetic works in Scripture. This does not however suggest or imply that her prophetic ministry was insignificant. God may have spoken through her on some occasions that are not recorded in Scripture.
Was Miriam probably serving among the women?
Some consider the incident described in Exodus 15:20-21 as evidence that Miriam's ministry may have been restricted to the women. This is however difficult to tell from Scripture. The fact that she is listed alongside her brothers in 1 Chronicles 6:3-4 suggests that she was a prominent spiritual leader who served among God's people without gender distinctions.
Going back to Exodus 2, and assuming that Miriam was indeed the girl mentioned here, we can make a few observations on her character and skills.
Miriam was undoubtedly a sharp and decisive person, perhaps a "no-nonsense" person. She was passionate and courageous. The fact that God used her to convince the Egyptian princess to give a soft landing to her kid brother Moses was perhaps evidence that she was a sharp and creative person who thought on her feet.
Going back to Exodus 2, and assuming that Miriam was indeed the girl mentioned here, we can make a few observations on her character and skills.
Miriam was undoubtedly a sharp and decisive person, perhaps a "no-nonsense" person. She was passionate and courageous. The fact that God used her to convince the Egyptian princess to give a soft landing to her kid brother Moses was perhaps evidence that she was a sharp and creative person who thought on her feet.
Miriam's creativity and inspiration was again demonstrated in her act of leading the Hebrew women in praising God in Exodus 15:20. She picked up her timbrel and all the women followed her in extolling the greatness of God and His awesome power that He had demonstrated in rescuing of Israel from their enemies.
As a prophetess, Miriam spoke the mind of God. She was used of God to declare His divine will for His people on some occasions. That is what prophets do. However, Miriam, like us, had her share of failings. In confronting Moses, she allowed unbridled pride to get the better of her and by this imprudence, she brought God's judgement upon herself and caused Israel an extra seven days in the wilderness journey.
As a prophetess, Miriam spoke the mind of God. She was used of God to declare His divine will for His people on some occasions. That is what prophets do. However, Miriam, like us, had her share of failings. In confronting Moses, she allowed unbridled pride to get the better of her and by this imprudence, she brought God's judgement upon herself and caused Israel an extra seven days in the wilderness journey.
Some sins and transgressions heavily impact our families and communities of context.
I believe Miriam learnt from her transgression and was restored by God. Her story of biblical leadership has left for us a great lesson that our setbacks in life should serve as opportunities for self reflection and fortitude in walking with God with renewed vigor. We should pick up ourselves from the ashes and journey on in faith, keeping our eyes on Him who was pierced for us. We cannot attain spiritual perfection on this side of the sun.
Unlike Rahab and other heroines of Scripture, no mention is made of Miriam in any passage of the New Testament Scriptures. This phenomenon is however not exclusive to her. Several other great women of old such as Deborah, Jael, and Huldah do not feature in the New Testament Scriptures, not even in the hall of fame in Hebrews 11 yet their contributions to the redemption of Israel are indelibly engraved in Scripture. These women served God with outstanding faithfulness and courage in their time.
I believe Miriam learnt from her transgression and was restored by God. Her story of biblical leadership has left for us a great lesson that our setbacks in life should serve as opportunities for self reflection and fortitude in walking with God with renewed vigor. We should pick up ourselves from the ashes and journey on in faith, keeping our eyes on Him who was pierced for us. We cannot attain spiritual perfection on this side of the sun.
Unlike Rahab and other heroines of Scripture, no mention is made of Miriam in any passage of the New Testament Scriptures. This phenomenon is however not exclusive to her. Several other great women of old such as Deborah, Jael, and Huldah do not feature in the New Testament Scriptures, not even in the hall of fame in Hebrews 11 yet their contributions to the redemption of Israel are indelibly engraved in Scripture. These women served God with outstanding faithfulness and courage in their time.
We serve a faithful God. Scripture proclaims in Hebrews 6:10: "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (NKJV).
When Miriam died of age, she had accomplished God's purposes for her life. She, like Deborah, was a mother in Israel, a great icon of inspiration among God's covenant people. She left a legacy.
When Miriam died of age, she had accomplished God's purposes for her life. She, like Deborah, was a mother in Israel, a great icon of inspiration among God's covenant people. She left a legacy.
What legacy shall we leave when our time on earth is gone?
MORAL LESSONS FROM MIRIAM'S LIFE AND MINISTRY
Miriam is a great inspiration among God's covenant people and we can draw a number of moral lessons from her life and ministry.
1) We learn from her life and prophetic ministry that God can use insignificant and obscure people for His glory, notwithstanding their shortcomings. Someone said God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.
2) None of us who serve God is perfect before God yet God graciously chose to use us for His glory. We should honour and glorify God for the opportunity of service in our generation and leave a lasting legacy.
3) We also learn about God's immeasurable grace and mercy. Miriam could have died under God's judgement for crossing the red line when she defiantly questioned the authority of Moses and belittled his high calling but God mercifully preserved her. My view is that leprosy was a minor judgement which was perhaps meant to warn her to watch her steps!
My view is that Aaron probably escaped God's judgement because he expressed remorse for his part in the rebellion. Some have supposed that Aaron had no direct role in questioning the authority of Moses. It is however difficult to reconcile this claim from the passage of Scripture because both Aaron and Miriam are named as having jointly conspired. They were both summoned to appear before God (Numbers 12:1-5).
MORAL LESSONS FROM MIRIAM'S LIFE AND MINISTRY
Miriam is a great inspiration among God's covenant people and we can draw a number of moral lessons from her life and ministry.
1) We learn from her life and prophetic ministry that God can use insignificant and obscure people for His glory, notwithstanding their shortcomings. Someone said God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.
2) None of us who serve God is perfect before God yet God graciously chose to use us for His glory. We should honour and glorify God for the opportunity of service in our generation and leave a lasting legacy.
3) We also learn about God's immeasurable grace and mercy. Miriam could have died under God's judgement for crossing the red line when she defiantly questioned the authority of Moses and belittled his high calling but God mercifully preserved her. My view is that leprosy was a minor judgement which was perhaps meant to warn her to watch her steps!
My view is that Aaron probably escaped God's judgement because he expressed remorse for his part in the rebellion. Some have supposed that Aaron had no direct role in questioning the authority of Moses. It is however difficult to reconcile this claim from the passage of Scripture because both Aaron and Miriam are named as having jointly conspired. They were both summoned to appear before God (Numbers 12:1-5).
Others say that Aaron was already serving as high priest and God could not permit leprosy upon him. Again it is difficult to corroborate this claim from Scripture. We cannot conclusively establish if Aaron had assumed the office of high priest at this point in time.
4) We learn from Miriam's life and ministry that God is not a respecter of persons. God uses people who are willing to serve Him irrespective of their social or cultural backgrounds. He used several women in the Bible to fulfill His divine purposes at diverse times in the history of God's people. He used Miriam to minister to His people during the wilderness journey.
He later raised Deborah as Prophetess and Judge in Israel. God also used Deborah to proclaim the liberation of Israel and to lead the battle alongside Barak. This battle saw Israel break from the twenty years of Canaanite oppression under Jabin and Sisera (Judges 4-5).
6) We learn that God has ordained His divine leadership order in the church and that we should submit to our leaders in the fear of God. We should do things God's way and not our way. Where we are convinced that a church leader has erred, we should approach the issue with decorum and wisdom using the regulations established in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:19).
7) Finally, we learn that God rebukes and chastises those He has appointed to serve Him no matter how high they rank in the pecking order. No leader is immune from God's admonition. Scripture elsewhere proclaims that the Lord chastens those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).
4) We learn from Miriam's life and ministry that God is not a respecter of persons. God uses people who are willing to serve Him irrespective of their social or cultural backgrounds. He used several women in the Bible to fulfill His divine purposes at diverse times in the history of God's people. He used Miriam to minister to His people during the wilderness journey.
He later raised Deborah as Prophetess and Judge in Israel. God also used Deborah to proclaim the liberation of Israel and to lead the battle alongside Barak. This battle saw Israel break from the twenty years of Canaanite oppression under Jabin and Sisera (Judges 4-5).
6) We learn that God has ordained His divine leadership order in the church and that we should submit to our leaders in the fear of God. We should do things God's way and not our way. Where we are convinced that a church leader has erred, we should approach the issue with decorum and wisdom using the regulations established in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:19).
7) Finally, we learn that God rebukes and chastises those He has appointed to serve Him no matter how high they rank in the pecking order. No leader is immune from God's admonition. Scripture elsewhere proclaims that the Lord chastens those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).
All leaders irrespective of their cadres are therefore ultimately accountable to God for the discharge of their responsibilities. Leaders should be careful lest they invite reproach into their leadership mandates or bring disrepute to God's people. This would ruin the reputation of the church and hinder their witness for Christ.
A Christian leader should watch their moral integrity at all times (1 Corinthians 11:1).
8) Marrying from among the heathen was later forbidden among God's covenant people under Levitical laws (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Moses' decision to marry an Ethiopian woman was therefore a violation of God's moral standards that He had prescribed for His people. To this extent, Aaron and Miriam were justified in questioning Moses' conduct. They however had no authority to question his prophetic mandate.
A Christian leader should watch their moral integrity at all times (1 Corinthians 11:1).
8) Marrying from among the heathen was later forbidden among God's covenant people under Levitical laws (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Moses' decision to marry an Ethiopian woman was therefore a violation of God's moral standards that He had prescribed for His people. To this extent, Aaron and Miriam were justified in questioning Moses' conduct. They however had no authority to question his prophetic mandate.
We should never overstep the lines of authority that God has established for us in our societies of context.
Shalom.
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2019
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2019
That's great Rev. Kimosop
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and reminding how we can serve and pay attention in whatever we do.
Blessings