Miriam, a Leader in Israel

GOLDEN TEXT: “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” —Proverbs 31:30

EXODUS 15:20,21; NUMBERS 12:1-10,13-15

MIRIAM was the sister of Moses, and apparently the oldest child of that family. She first appears, probably as a young girl, watching her infant brother’s cradle in the Nile. (Exod. 2:4) Her service here was in suggesting to Pharaoh’s daughter that a nurse be sought for the baby, and her success in having her mother appointed to this duty. In Micah 6:4 Miriam is listed as one of the three deliverers of the Hebrew people from Egypt.

Miriam is referred to as a “prophetess,” although from the record the extent of her service in this field seems to be the song of deliverance she composed, and which Moses and Israel sang after they crossed over the Red Sea into the “wilderness of Shur.” In this song of deliverance there is very little of a prophetic nature. It is more a song of praise to God for his mighty act of delivering his people from their enemies. It is well epitomized in the words, “The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”—Exod. 15:2

There are four other prophetesses mentioned in the Bible: Deborah, Judges 4:4; Huldah, II Kings 22:14; Noadiah, Nehemiah 6:14; and Anna, Luke 2:36. None of these was a seer in the sense of being used by the Lord to foretell the outworking of the events in the divine plan. They would not, for example, be among God’s “holy prophets” whom he used to prophesy the coming “times of restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:19-21) Prof. Strong defines the Hebrew and Greek words used to designate them as “inspired ones,” and the Hebrew word by implication, “poetesses.”

It is significant, we think, that in the Lord’s providences so few of his noble women servants were placed in responsible positions as teachers and leaders. Probably the principal reason for this was to emphasize the headship of God and of Christ. (I Cor. 11:3) It is in keeping with this that God has arranged for man to be head over woman. This being so it would not be appropriate for women to occupy prominent positions as teachers and leaders in connection with the work of the Lord.

Probably another reason for the obscure position women have occupied in the Lord’s service is that by nature they seem not so well constituted to resist the temptations which confront those who are more prominent in the Lord’s service. However there are probably exceptions to this, although Miriam was not one of those exceptions.

Miriam, who inspired the Hebrew children with her song of deliverance, is next found complaining against Moses. The record is that “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses.” The fact that Miriam’s name is mentioned first suggests that she probably inculcated the complaint. They were hard put to find occasion against Moses, so blamed him for marrying an Ethiopian woman.

But this was not what they really had in their hearts. Often in circumstances of this kind, the stated charge has no relation to the actual grievance. In the case of Miriam and Aaron, their real complaint is expressed in verse 2—“Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?” That Moses was innocent of assuming power and authority which had not been given to him by the Lord is indicated in the next verse which informs us that he was the meekest man in all the earth.

Verse 2 declares that the Lord heard the complaint of Miriam and Aaron. This is something which all of the Lord’s people will do well to keep in mind. It is also true now that when we complain against our brethren, and make charges against them, the Lord hears. If we have just and proper reason for complaint we will be glad to have the Lord hear. But if, as in the case of Miriam and Aaron, our complaint is prompted by ambition, although we may attain the immediate result we desire, the final outcome will be disastrous; for the Lord hears, and will deal with us accordingly.

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and Miriam, emphasizing the fact that he had chosen Moses for the position he occupied, and declaring that Moses had been faithful. “Wherefore then,” the Lord said, “were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them.”—vss. 8,9

That Miriam was perhaps more responsible for this shameful conduct, influencing Aaron to join her in it, seems evidenced by the fact that she was the one whom the Lord specially punished. She became “leprous” and remained so until Moses interceded for her before the Lord.

QUESTIONS

Who was Miriam, and where is she first mentioned in the Bible?

Why is Miriam called a prophetess?

Why has not the Lord used women more prominently in his work?

What prompted Miriam to complain against Moses?

What lesson is there in this for us?

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