Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: An Inspiring Life of Service and Leadership

"Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."   -Source Unknown.

I thought it might be fun to briefly examine one of the many unknown characters in the Bible whose names and faces we may not recognize, but whose stories are significant in God’s plan and purpose in history. This week, let's take a look at a woman named Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron.

Miriam was a key leader in the story of the Exodus; of the nation of Israel from Egypt; one who often goes unrecognized as she led alongside of Moses and Aaron. But, her leadership had one dark moment in which she lost sight of who she was, and what her role was. Thankfully, she was restored by God, and returned to her role as a leader, and remembered in subsequent years as one who had a significant role in the identity of the nation of Israel.

We first learn about Miriam in Exodus 2:3-10, when Moses' mother could hide the infant no longer after the Pharaoh had ordered that all of the male Hebrew newborns were to be slaughtered - "But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of The Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said. Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" (Miriam had left her distant hiding place and ran right up to the princess - no one tried, or could, have stopped her) "Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother."

The incident illustrated two of Miriam's qualities that stayed with her through her adult life - boldness, and intelligence. While at the time being only about 10 or 12 years old, with her baby brother's life at stake, she managed not only to see the infant saved from the river and Pharaoh's death sentence, but to have him adopted by the princess of Egypt (the deliverer that the Pharaoh feared became his adopted grandson); all while being safely returned to his own mother!

God was of course responsible for the saving of Moses' life, but He chose to do it by means of a little girl who wasn't afraid to go where she was needed, and who could think fast when she got there. Years later, at the time of the Exodus, after the crossing of the sea, when Pharaoh’s Chariots were destroyed in the waters, Miriam had developed her leadership qualities as a prophetess, and leader of songs (Exodus 15:20-21).

When we think of the most significant event in the Old Testament, we would have to say that the Exodus out of Egypt into freedom in the wilderness (and eventually into the Promised Land), rates as the most significant story. It is a story that parallels the New Testament story of Christ’s crucifixion to deliver us out of the slavery of our sin; into the freedom of Christian living; and eventually into Heaven where we will live eternally with Him.

Now, when we think of who it was that led this Exodus, we would certainly think of Moses. We may also think of his brother, Aaron. But, notice that the Lord, through the prophet Micah, also affirmed the leadership of Miriam in this story of the Exodus. God didn't just say, “I delivered you through the leadership of Moses…” He also said, “I delivered you through the leadership of Moses, Aaron and Miriam.” The Lord Himself affirmed the leadership of Miriam, alongside of Moses and Aaron (Micah 6:4).

In fact, this passage affirmed that the Lord called each one to a significant leadership role in the Exodus. Moses was the Deliverer and the Lawgiver; Aaron was the High Priest; but, Miriam was the Prophetess and the Poet. She was the expression of the Arts in the story of the Exodus.

If the power of Moses’ leadership was in the Law, and the power of Aaron’s leadership was in religion, the power of Miriam’s leadership was in music and poetry ('Exodus 15:20-21). Hers was the power of the heart. Her music and poetic inspiration spoke to the heart and soul of Israel. It shaped its consciousness. It became a rallying point this nation as it emerged from a nation living in slavery into a nation living in freedom.

However, as mentioned at the beginning of this message, Miriam had a dark moment in her career. You see, one thing that impresses me about the Bible is its stark honesty about the faults, and sins of some of its heroes. Miriam is displayed with all her faults and flaws. In time, she faced a test that confronts every leader. It was the test of success!

Now, many people have withstood tests of opposition, conflict, bankruptcy, divorce, and death of a loved one. And, they have faced these tests with great fortitude, and strength. But, I wonder how many of us can withstand the test of success? Miriam had one such point in her career where she did not pass the test of success.

One day, she allowed the bitterness and rebellion that she had been nursing in her heart to come out into the open. What is most disturbing is that her fall came where we should not have expected it. She rebels against Moses! The very man whom she had protected now was the one she rebelled against (Numbers 12:1-2) “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses… ‘Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?’ they asked. ‘Hasn't he also spoken through us?’”

At first, we may think that her act was simply one of blind ambition; but it seems to have been more than that. I believe that, again, she was trying to protect Moses’ identity as a Hebrew. What does the Bible say was the reason for their criticism? “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.” Moses’ wife was a non-Jew- a woman of Ethiopia.

That would not have been a problem in and of itself; but, his wife (Zipporah) had a period of time in which she also rebelled against Moses and against the Lord by resisting one of the most important of religious rites; the circumcision of their firstborn son. When it became apparent that this made the Lord angry, and the Lord threatened to kill their son (along with the Egyptian sons), Exodus 4:25-26.

It was beyond question that the marriage of Moses had been a foolish one. There was bitterness and division in his own household; especially about the most important area of Moses life; the true worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Miriam may have seen this bitterness and division and so, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Being 12-14 years his senior, she may have taken the role of Moses’ “mother” at times; but, this time she went too far. In trying to do God’s work, she did not do it in God’s way. She did it in a spirit of rebellion and bitterness and divisiveness. What was the result? Miriam was struck with leprosy. In the Bible, leprosy was a symbol of sin!

Although Miriam became a physical and moral leper through her rebellion and bitterness, she did not die this way. She was cured and restored to health, and restored to her position as a leader. But, there was a consequence that was borne not only by her, but by the entire nation of Israel. All forward progress was halted for seven days. Remember, when we succumb to bitterness and rebellion, it stops all forward progress- not only for ourselves, but also for others that we love and care about.

How was she cured? Through the prayers of Moses! Moses could have had a good reason to be bitter and angry; instead, he forgave her, and proved his forgiveness by his prayers, “O God, please heal her!” Because of the prayers of Moses, the one who was wronged, the one who was hurt by this act of bitterness and rebellion, Miriam was restored to health, and restored to her place as a leader alongside Moses once again. In doing so, he took the way of Christ (1 Peter 2:23-24).

In closing, Miriam's life had been one of service and leadership. She expressed all the robust qualities that are best: courage and ingenuity in a dangerous situation, loyalty to her family, a love of music, story-telling and dance, and an intellectual inquiry into questions about authority and social responsibility. Thus, she remains a model for women and men today.

May the story of Miriam be an encouragement to you to use those gifts for the glory of God, and the building of His kingdom!

Scripture: Philippians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Timothy 2:2; Mark 10:42; Proverbs 16:9; 2 Timothy 2:15

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi