MIRIAM A Life Spared
MOSES OWED HIS LIFE to five women: Shiphrah and Puah, the midwives who refused to kill the male Hebrew babies; Jochebed, his mother, who wove the basket and risked her life to conceal her baby boy; Miriam, his sister, who watched over him as he drifted on the Nile; and Pharaoh’s daughter, who defied her father and raised Moses as her own.
Miriam helped save her brother’s life, and her quick action allowed Moses precious time with his mother and the Hebrew people before he was weaned (Exod 2:1-10). She grew to become a leader, and God considered her instrumental to the Israelites’ gaining their freedom (Mic 6:4).
Even though they spent many years apart, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam appear to have established a close bond. But Moses’ marriage to a Cushite caused tension in their familial relationship, and the siblings began to criticize Moses. Sometimes the most hurtful and severe wounds come from those we love the most. The tongue can be such a destructive device in families, organizations, and churches (Jas 3).
The tongue can be a destructive device in families, organizations, and churches
God intervened on Moses’ behalf, saying the criticism was unfounded and striking Miriam with leprosy (Num 12:9-10). Many believe Miriam convinced Aaron to join her in grumbling about Moses’ wife. This may have been why she alone was stricken. As a leader, it must have been very difficult for Miriam to be ostracized as “unclean.” Yet in answer to Moses’ prayer, God mercifully restored Miriam’s health so she could once again help lead the Israelites until her death (20:1). Her disciplinary experience, however, became a warning to future generations (Deut 24:9).
We are often too quick to criticize the motives and actions of family members and leaders. Our tongues become weapons against those who fail to meet our expectations. This doesn’t mean that we can’t ask honest questions and offer helpful suggestions. However, we need to humbly respect those we love and those in authority. Our comments toward them should be the kind that build others up rather than hinder their spiritual and physical lives (Phil 4:8).