Prayer
God of all things, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude for the life and example of Miriam, a woman of courage, faith, and leadership. May Miriam’s story remind us of your faithfulness and the power of your call in our lives. Strengthen us to walk in our purpose, trusting that you can use each of us, regardless of our circumstances, to bring about your plans and blessings. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.
Key Scripture
Exodus 15:20-21
“Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.” (Exodus 15:20)
Main Point
The Bible presents us with snippets of Miriam’s life, ranging from courageous acts in childhood all the way to her consequential death in the desert. Like snapshots taken from a life of passionate and faithful leadership, service, and advocacy, Miriam’s life inspires us to seek to leave a similar legacy of our own.
Introduction to Miriam
Like any good story, Miriam’s story is filled with intrigue, mystery, and shadow, with much of her significance implied only by the placement of her story within the various texts. Miriam is mentioned in some form or another in at least four texts: Exodus 2:4, 7-9; Exodus 15:20; Numbers 12:1-16; and Numbers 20:1-2. Each story is unique, introducing more intrigue than resolution.
We don’t really have a lot of background text, not very much story filler, and even less context as to why Miriam is revealed in Scripture in different parts of the story. We craft who Miriam is through the context of the time and place, the culture and other connections that may reveal more about her. She is a hero, a prophet, and an advocate. She is a warrior and a worship leader. She is a leader of women and a leader in Israel. Her story reveals the promise of the covenant and demonstrates what God’s care can bring to God’s people.
Digging Deeper
The story of Miriam, while limited in scope compared to certain male characters, such as her brother Moses, nevertheless reveals to us the longevity of God’s work in and through our lives. Miriam’s story enables us to see the journey of a lifetime of faith in glory, in humility, and in legacy.
Miriam’s story begins in Exodus 2. She is the older sister of the infant Moses, who set him in the Nile to save him, then arranged for their mother to be his wet nurse. Miriam returns to the narrative in Exodus 15:20 as the leader of women who leads them in song, music, and dancing after the escape from Egypt through the Red Sea. She is called Miriam the prophet; she moves the people from fear to faith, from pursued to preserved, out of slavery and into rejoicing in the promise of God, delivered and free.
In Numbers 12:1-16, Miriam, along with her brother Aaron, speaks against Moses, and God afflicts her with leprosy. In response, she is separated from the community. It is a challenging narrative, a reminder that there are consequences when God’s leaders act with division and hubris toward each other. And yet, through God’s grace and mercy, she is restored to health and returned to her place as a leader of God’s people.
Miriam’s story ends with her death at the waters of Meribah, recounted in Numbers 20:1-2. In response to her death, the waters that had accompanied the people on their journey dried up—for it was Miriam who with “the rolling well-rock” provided water in the desert. Midrashic lore suggests that with Moses came Mana, and with Miriam, water. Upon Miriam’s death the water dried up, which led the people to rise up against Moses and Aaron, and perhaps contributed to Moses’s choice to hit the stone for water.
There is so much packed into each snippet of the life and times of Miriam, it would far exceed the parameters of this Bible study to speak to them all. Instead, let us look at the arc of Miriam’s life. There are many things we do not know about Miriam’s life: Did she marry? Did she have children? What were the dynamics of her family and life outside of her connection to her brothers? Scripture doesn’t reveal this to us. What is revealed to us are these touchpoints of Miriam’s life at critical junctures in the story of these three siblings—Moses, Aaron, and Miriam—where Miriam repeatedly intercedes in the life of the community. She saves Moses’s life; assumes the role of a prophet; leads the women and the community in worship; challenges Moses, endures isolation, and receives restoration. And finally, in her death, she alters again the life of the community.
The story of Miriam reveals a leader, a devoted sister, and one who committed her life to service. She is clearly respected by the people and her brothers, has the ability to shape situations through gentleness, advocacy, and perception, and a quick wit for problem solving. Miriam reminds us that serving the Lord happens through a lifetime of instances, beginning in her childhood and continuing through her death. Her life is a continuum of faith, hope, and trust in the Lord. Her life reminds us that every moment can be lived in the service of God. If we serve in the mundane, day to day living, we will be ready to answer a broader, deeper call when it comes.
#SheIsCalled and We Are Called
Miriam’s life is a testament to the power of faith, the strength found in resilience, and the beauty of using our gifts to uplift others. Today we can apply Miriam’s lessons to our own lives by embracing our unique roles and responsibilities with confidence, humility, and a desire to serve God and others.
Her story intersects with our lives today in profound and timeless ways. In her story, we see the offering of lessons and inspiration for navigating challenges. The themes demonstrated through her life speak of leadership, courage, worship, resilience, and community, all of which are deeply relevant in today’s world. Today we live in a world that cries out for justice as well as protection for the most vulnerable. We are called to advocate for those who cannot protect themselves: refugees, children, people with disabilities—all those living on the margins.
Miriam revealed her courage through her advocacy for her brother’s safety with Pharaoh’s daughter when she was just a child. She also exhibited courage in her role as a prophet and guide to the women in her community. As a prophet, Miriam was a key leader alongside Moses and Aaron. She reminds us of the vital role women play in spiritual and communal leadership. Her story validates the work of female leaders in our families, workplaces, churches, and society. Her story is a reminder to women of our inherent strength, whether we are inhibited by barriers and traditions, or we break through them to create new possibilities. We can embrace our callings with confidence.
Conclusion
Above all, Miriam reminds us to worship and give praise to the God of all things. It is Miriam who takes her tambourine and leads the people in joyful worship as soon as they pass through the waters. Miriam’s song invited the people to celebrate their deliverance by God’s power, paving the way for the fulfillment of the promises of the covenant made to their ancestors. Although their journey beyond the banks of the Red Sea would be fraught with difficulty, this moment of worship allowed a time of comfort, centering, and a sense of belonging to grow. It is a valuable lesson for us to remember to give thanks, to pause and sing, to dance, and to pray in praise of the God who loves us beyond measure. We know the way forward will be fraught with difficulty, but it will contain joy as well. Let us remember Miriam and hold fast to the faith, hope, and joy in the glory of God.
