There are four parts to Miriam’s story. First, she saves her little brother
Moses. It was written in the law all
first born males were to be killed. When he was three months old his mother could
no longer hide him. She placed him in a basket along the bank of the Nile . Miriam stood at a distance to see what would
happen to him. When Pharaoh’s daughter saw the basket she sent her slave girl
to get it and was touched deeply to see the baby.
Second, Miriam’s Song. Ritual singing by women was common in Israel Egypt Red Sea and all Pharaoh’s horses,
chariots and horsemen went into the sea.
Miriam the prophetess took a tambourine into her hand, and all the women
followed her with tambourines and dancing.
Miriam sang “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into
the sea.”
Third, Miriam’s Ordeal. Going to Moses, Miriam and Aaron (Moses’
brother) raised two questions that bothered them. They questioned his marriage to an Ethiopian
woman because Hebrews condemned marriage with a foreigner. They also questioned his authority over them
because Moses was the youngest of the three siblings. When Miriam asked, “Has the Lord indeed spoken
only through Moses?” her question was a profound one. It asked how we know what God wants. What ways does God speak to us? And who has
authority over us? Miriam suffered
deeply when she became leprous, a punishment from God.
The last part of Miriam’s story is her
death. Her life was difficult, water was
scarce, and the physical living conditions were rigorous. Eventually these conditions took their toll
on Miriam and she died.
As we read and meditate on God's Word may we know His plan, His purpose
and His direction for our lives.
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