Oakwood Church Fresh Start Women's Devotional Encouragement for Today Hartland Delafield

Miriam
By Elizabeth Cole and Becci Terrill

“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses…”
Numbers 12:1a

It’s a heartrending scene, to say the least. The Israelites, once honored guests in Egypt, have become the slave backbone of Egypt’s economy. Despite their bondage, the king of Egypt fears their numbers and ruthlessly devises a plan whereby every newborn Israelite boy is thrown at birth into the Nile River. Enter a godly man and his wife, who hide their newborn son for his first three months of life, then strategically place him in a basket in the river near where Pharaoh’s daughter bathes. His sister stands at a distance to see what will happen, and upon his being found by Pharaoh’s daughter, she promptly speaks, offering her assistance in finding an appropriate wet nurse for the baby. (Actually, an ideal wet nurse…his own mother). So we see the beginning of the story of Moses…and the story of his big sister, Miriam.

In chapters one and two of the book of Exodus, we get a sense of Miriam’s loving care for her brother, as well as her youthful ability to form decisions, and speak and act quickly. Fast forward to a point right after Moses has led the Israelites out of Egypt through a dry corridor of the Red Sea, and you’ll see Miriam, now a prophetess, using her mouth to lead worship (Exodus 15:1-21). Once more, if we push the “fast forward” button to Numbers 12:1-15 we see that God has generously provided over and over for His people as He’s provided them with commandments for living, a template for their tabernacle and even daily food. It’s here that our precious Miriam begins to lose it. You can’t help but think she was a little weary of all the travel, maybe a little grumpy from eating manna day in and day out, a little too impressed with herself and her prophesying, or irritated with her baby brother’s high profile. Regardless of the reason, that gift of voice which had served her oh so well yanks her to her knees. Talk about a good time to keep your mouth shut…

The choice exists for us even today, and continues to be a daily choice. My choice yesterday is no guarantee over my choice today. God has richly blessed us with gifts and designs that are awesome. How will we use them this time, this day? In a self-centered way, highlighting our own accomplishments? Or in a redeemed way, with care to spotlight only One?

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you relate to Miriam’s story?
2. Can you see how Miriam allowed pride to creep into her life? What was the result?

FURTHER READING:
James 3:1-12; Ephesians 4:29

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Becci is a wife and mom to two daughters. She manages volunteers at Ten Chimneys and is the Special Events Coordinator for Oakwood's Women's Ministries.