Adapted from the study, She, delighting in the examples of women of the Bible, Volume 4, pp. 45-46
Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 12 and 32:23; Exodus 15:20-21
I imagine Miriam is best known as the sister of Moses and Aaron. She was used in the plot to save Moses from certain death, as she watched over her baby brother, Moses, among the bulrushes on the banks of the Nile. Their mother had hidden Moses in a basket on the riverbank to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the river (Exodus 1:22—2:4). Oddly enough, (or perhaps – perfect as planned) as Miriam watches, it is Pharaoh’s daughter who discovers and pities Moses. Miriam quickly intervenes to ask if the Egyptian princess would like a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for her. The princess agrees, and Miriam quickly gets her mother, Jochebed. Not knowing that Jochebed was Moses’ mother, Pharaoh’s daughter commands her to nurse him and bring him back to her when he is older. By the sovereign grace of God, Miriam was used not only to keep Moses safe from the waters but to ensure that Jochebed was the one who nursed and cared for him in the early years of his life (Exodus 2:5–10).
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
While those are the better-known highlights of Miriam’s story, did you know that she was called a prophetess and led the women of Israel in praising the Lord for His deliverance through the Red Sea? Perhaps you recognize or maybe even have sung the chorus before: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.”
I will sing unto the LORD,
for he has triumphed gloriously,
the horse and rider thrown into the sea.
I will sing unto the LORD,
for he has triumphed gloriously,
the horse and rider thrown into the sea.
The LORD, my God, my strength and song,
has now become my victory.
The LORD, my God, my strength and song,
has now become my victory.
The LORD is God, and I will praise him,
our covenant God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is God, and I will praise him,
our covenant God, and I will exalt him.
However, as we read in Numbers 12, Miriam’s story isn’t without its troubling moments, particularly after Moses’ marriage to an Ethiopian woman, a Cushite. For some unknown or unnamed reason, Miriam is displeased with the marriage and nudges Aaron to join in her displeasure, as today’s journal entry points out. Her jealousy and criticism of Moses aroused the Lord’s anger, “and He departed, and the cloud also departed from off the tabernacle. When the cloud was gone, Miriam became leprous, white as snow, and she was shut outside the camp for seven days.”1 We may never know why Miriam was so upset over the marriage between her brother and the Cushite, but God makes it clear that her leprous condition is a direct punishment for Miriam’s sin, emphasizing the seriousness of speaking against Moses, His chosen leader. The punishment was meant to serve as a warning against rebellion and slander. As gotquestion.org explains, “the punishment of leprosy was a graphic illustration of sin’s destructive power,” not only to the sinner but to the body of Christ as a whole. In this situation, while Miriam was sequestered outside of the camp for seven days, the people had to postpone traveling on until she had completed the seven days of separation that the Lord had commanded before she could be accepted back inside the camp.
15 So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again. 16 Then they left Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 12:15-16
Friends, I have learned the hard way more than once in my lifetime that our thoughts and emotions easily and often direct our words. Whether it is anger, bitterness, jealousy, or some other emotion, we would be wise to heed God’s warning to let our words be those that encourage and build up rather than slander and tear down. As we see in this example of Miriam, this is even more important when we are talking about or “speaking out against” God’s chosen servants.2
Like Lot’s wife, Miriam (in this segment of her story) serves as an example that when we sin against God, there are consequences that we cannot avoid.
The More We Know
Probably the best way to show appreciation (and respect) to your pastor is to follow his instructions to follow Jesus. News of the church’s fidelity to Christ was all that the apostle John needed to be encouraged: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Nothing will make your pastor happier than for you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Your pastor needs your encouragement, so show your appreciation for him and his work. Hebrews 13:17 is a clear instruction to honor your pastor, and it gives the reasons why: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Your pastor watches out for your spiritual well-being. Will you make his job a “burden” or a “joy”? gotquestions.org/emphasis mine
“Double honor” for those God has given charge over us, refers not only to our financial support of them but also, as we see here in Miriam’s story, to an abundance of respect and obedience from members of the church. (borrowed and adapted from an online commentary)
Me From the Inside Out 