In the introduction to Miriam we’re not even given her name; Miriam is merely referred to as “his sister” – referring of course to Moses.
“And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him” (Exodus 2:4).
Like many who went before her and who would go after her, Miriam begins her life in obscurity. Perhaps you also are like Miriam. No one knows your name at this present moment. But God. He has plans for you nevertheless, just as he did for Miriam.
And though Miriam’s identity is not yet revealed, we see one aspect of her purpose already being revealed in her introduction. She “watches” over Moses to see which way the matter will go, and we aren’t told that her mother instructs her to do so. Could it be therefore, that Miriam makes the decision on her own to watch over Moses, perhaps even to intervene if the situation calls for it; it’s at least possible. Perhaps Moses’ mother could not bear to do so; perhaps it was all she could do to let Moses go and place the matter in God’s hands. Perhaps her part was the first part – to make the basket and place Moses inside of it.
But Miriam, whether instructed by her mother or not, watches over Moses. She has the heart to do so. I picture her as seven years old or no older than ten, but old enough to feel a mother’s heart toward her little brother she’s spent 90 days with, holding him, rocking him, whispering to him, keeping him quiet and pacified. She has formed a bond with him and she’s old enough to understand what’s at stake. And so she watches. To see which way the matter will go. And when Miriam sees Pharaoh’s daughter’s compassionate response when discovers such a treasure as a baby in a basket, she steps forth to do her part to orchestrate a good outcome for Moses:
Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” (Exodus 3:7).
And once again, Miriam isn’t named; she’s simply referred to as “his sister.” The attention is on Moses in this pivotal moment of his young life. Not even Pharaoh’s daughter or Moses’ mother is yet named at this point. All attention is on Moses and his safety and well-being. It is in this extraordinary manner Miriam helps to secure Moses’ future. She is the youngest of three women who saves the infant child who will one day deliver a nation. In this manner Miriam has partnered with God’s purposes both for herself and for Moses.
And we know nothing of the heartbreak she and her mother endured after the final relinquishment of Moses to Pharaoh’s daughter after the days of his nursing were completed. Miriam’s life confirms for us that partnering with God’s plan is not an easy path. And nothing more of her childhood years is recorded for us. She lives in seeming obscurity, where God most often develops his chosen vessels. And God did not fail Miriam and He will not fail you either, for just as Moses was being developed for God’s purposes, so also was Miriam.
Because the next time we hear of Miriam things have greatly shifted. It’s immediately after the Israel has crossed through the miracle parting of the Red Sea. She bursts upon the scene, seemingly out of nowhere, but it’s not out of nowhere, it’s evident the women know well as they follow her lead without hesitation. And when we’re re-introduced to Miriam we’re introduced to her by name and with the added descriptor of “prophetess” attached to her name. Her time had come; she is known now as she unabashedly steps forward to the lead the women in celebration. Moses had led the children of Israel in song, but now Miriam leads the women exuberantly in song and dance:
Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, Took the timbrel in her hand; and all the woman went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: “Sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!” (Exodus 15:20-21).
This is Miriam’s Song and along with the Song of Moses it’s the first instance of corporate worship recorded in the Bible, and it predates the tabernacle of David and the worship he instituted by close to 500 years. This is significant. The women break out their timbrels and dance and sing, following Miriam’s example, giving evidence that she has become a leader in the nation of Israel. Two simple verses, but such a powerful portrayal to the woman Miriam has become. And who’s to say that as Moses’ sister she is not still watching out for Moses, as she did when she was young? Aaron is a prophet and a mouthpiece to Moses (Exodus 7:2) and Miriam has her role as well in supporting Moses, and in this case it was to extend the worship Moses began. Together, she and her two brothers are a prophet trio – a “three-fold-prophet-cord” designed by God to be not easily broken and to bear the weight of leading a nation forward. Accordingly, each one has specific functions.
Each sibling however, has a moment in which they falter amongst a people who were continually faltering. Moses strikes the rock, rather than speak to it, Aaron has his golden calf moment, and Miriam’s moment manifests in the following way:
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also? And the LORD heard it” (Numbers 12:1-2).
And the LORD was not pleased and quickly called a meeting for the three siblings, speaking in such a way that all three heard His voice, “come out you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” And once He had them gathered the LORD called Aaron and Miriam to come forward and let them know in no uncertain terms of His displeasure. The LORD begins with
“Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream” (Numbers 12:6).
The Lord continues however, and makes a clear distinction between Moses and his two siblings:
“Not so with my servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with Him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”(Numbers 12:7-8).
And when the LORD finished speaking and His presence departed “suddenly Miriam became leprous, white a snow.” This is her consequence of speaking out against Moses. This is her one misstep recorded for our benefit – her failure to guard her heart against jealousy, against pride, against whatever the Lord saw in her heart. For this is what caused her to speak out against Moses, for we know that out of the issues of the heart the mouth speaks and the Lord takes these things seriously. It’s His desire is that we have clean hearts before Him. Did the Lord see pride in Miriam’s heart? Arrogance? Envy? Whatever He saw He was displeased. The conversation may have started because of the Ethiopian woman Moses had married, but the true heart of the matter quickly surfaced. Perhaps Miriam and Aaron fell into the trap of comparison which never produces any good thing. Whatever it was, by the words of her mouth Miriam was condemned. With Leprosy.
And here we see the seriousness of the matter of guarding our hearts. For although Miriam was healed through the prayer of Moses prompted by the plea (and confession) of Aaron who was quick to call it sin, she had to bear the leprosy for seven days before it was lifted. And during this time she was shut out of the camp. Giving her ample time to examine her heart and examine why she had rebelled against Moses. And because of her sin (as well as Aaron’s) all of Israel had to wait until they could journey forward again. It was a portrayal of the truth that the sin of a leader affects everyone served by that leader. It was a strong lesson indeed. And one we do well to heed:
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
At any rate, Miriam’s lack of guarding her heart was a serious matter with serious consequences. And these consequences arrived swiftly for her because to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). For in truth Miriam had been given much; she was one of three who was called to serve and lead a nation; and Moses could not Have fulfilled his assignment without the help of his two older siblings. Together, they were God’s chosen to lead a nation. Miriam’s role, in part, was to walk alongside of Moses, not unlike what she had done when she had watched from a distance when her mother had placed Moses in that basket. She was called to help protect Moses, not speak against him.
At any rate, Miriam faltered, but she recovered, and there is no other mis-step recorded of her. She learned the lesson, or perhaps multiple lessons in those seven days while she bored the disgrace of leprosy – to keep a clean heart, to honor and respect Moses’ position, and to stay true to what God had called her to do – lessons for all of us. Especially as we remember her humble beginnings and how she began in obscurity and was prepared in obscurity, one of God’s choicest methods. And her preparation prepared her well to be one of three leaders who served a nation, as evidenced by her final mention in Scripture:
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Micah 6:4).