OceanSide church of Christ

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MIRIAM:

The Older Sister of Aaron and Moses

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Early in the story of Moses, several women play an important role in his birth and well-being.

1.      The mid-wives who would not kill the sons of the Hebrew women (Exo. 1:17).

2.      Jochebed, the mother of Moses, who hid him three months from the authorities (Exo. 2:2).

3.      The sister of Moses who watched him as he floated in an ark of bulrushes in the flags by the river’s brink (Exo. 2:4).

4.      The daughter of Pharaoh whose heart had compassion on the little child she found in the Nile River (Exo. 2:4-9).

 

B.      In this lesson, we want to study one of those women.

1.      Her name is Miriam.

2.      She was the older sister of Aaron and Moses.

3.      Thus, our title:  “Miriam:  The Older Sister of Aaron and Moses.”

 

C.     Background:

1.      Her parents were Amram and Jochebed (Num. 26:59).

2.      Both of her parents were descendants of the tribe of Levi.  Thus, she sprang the priestly tribe of the nation.

3.      She was the older sister of Aaron and Moses. 

a.      There was a three year age difference between Aaron and Moses.

b.      Most believe that Miriam some five or six years older than Moses.

4.      Miriam is first mentioned by name in Exodus 15:20.

 

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out with her with timbrels and dances.

 

5.      Her story, however, begins before this as we have seen.  Let’s look at this prominent Bible woman.  We will consider her from three different perspectives.

 

I.                   A PROTECTIVE SISTER (Exo. 2:4-8)

 

A.    Moses was born in a horrific time in Israel’s history.  Pharaoh had ordered the death of all Jewish males born to the Israelites (Exo. 1:16).

 

B.      Moses was born and was hid by his parents for three months (Exo. 2:2).  When they could no longer hide him, they placed him in a small ark of bulrushes and put in in the edge of the Jordan River (Exo. 2:3).

 

C.     It is at this point that we first read about Miriam (Exo. 2:4).

 

And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

 

1.      At this time, she was probably being an obedient child.  Most likely, it was her parents who had sent her to keep an eye on the fate of her little brother (See Eph. 6:1).

 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord:  for this is right.

2.      We also see three other characteristics manifested in this little girl.

a.      She was a trusted child.

b.      She was a loving sibling.

c.       She was a caring sibling.

d.      NOTE:  The last two qualities seem to be natural dispositions instilled into the heart of a child.  These two qualities, however, can dissipate sometimes as the child grows into an adult.

 

D.    The story continues at the Nile.  Pharaoh’s daughter finds the baby Moses, “and she had compassion on him…” (Exo. 2:6).  (NOTE:  The child is allowed to live even knowing he is a Hebrew.  Here, we see the providence of God at work).

 

E.      At this point in the story, Moses’ sister manifests two more qualities:  bravery and wisdom (Exo. 2:7-8).

 

Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?  And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go.  And the maid went and called the child’s mother.

 

1.      Miriam was brave to approach the daughter of Pharaoh on this occasion. 

2.      She was wise when she offered the assistance of a Hebrew nurse and selected her mother, the mother of Moses, for the position.

 

II.                A PROMINENT LEADER

 

A.    Two verses indicate that Miriam was a leader.

1.      We have already seen she was a prophetess (Exo. 15:20).

2.      In the book of Micah, we have some interesting words said of both Miriam and Aaron (Micah 6:4).

 

For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

 

B.      Each one of these individuals had their respective position given to them by God.

1.      Moses was the ultimate leader and the law-giver.

2.      Aaron occupied the position of high priest.

3.      Miriam was the prophetess who would be in charge of the women.

 

C.     After Israel crossed the Red Sea, we see Miriam using her authority and leading the woman in dance and song after the Egyptians were defeated (Exo. 15:20-21).

 

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

 

1.      Miriam assumes a very important role in the nation of Israel.

2.      Just think of the number of women in Israel who were looking to her for leadership.

3.      LESSON:  We need more women who will become leaders of women in spiritual matters.

a.      It takes women with spiritual desire.

b.      It takes women with talents given to them by God.

c.       It takes women who are willing to sacrifice.

d.      It takes women who can influence others.

e.       It takes women with vision.

f.        It takes women who can communicate.

g.      It takes women who can problem-solve.

h.      It takes women who can endure conflict, challenges, ridicule, and criticism.

i.        It takes women who truly love God, His Word, His kingdom, and His mission.

 

III.             A PREJUDICED REBEL (Num. 12:1-16)

 

A.    Outline of the Text:

 

THE CONFLICT (Num. 12:1-2a)

 

-          The Accusation (Num. 12:1)

-          The Assumption (Num. 12:2a)

 

THE CONFRONTATION (Num. 12:2b-9)

 

-          The Awareness (Num. 12:2b)

-          The Attribute (Num. 12:3)

-          The Assembly (Num. 12:4)

-          The Answer (Num. 12:5-8)

-          The Anger (Num. 12:9)

 

THE CHASTENING (Num. 12:10-15)

 

-          The Affliction (Num. 12:10)

-          The Admission (Num. 12:11-12)

   + The Confession

   + The Intercession

-          The Appeal (Num. 12:13)

-          The Alienation (Num. 12:14-15)

 

THE CONTINUATION (Num. 12:16)

 

B.      Prominent points for this lesson:

1.      Three statements in the conflict section:

a.      “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses.”

1)      They spoke against their brother. 

a)      This was rebellion on the part of these two leaders.

b)      (NOTE:  When they were young, Miriam had a deep love and care for him.  What happened?)

2)      “…because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married.” 

a)      Most do not believe this was Zipporah.

b)      They believe it was a Cushite.  She was of the tribe of Ham. 

c)      The tribes of Canaan were off limits, but this woman was not.

d)     Here we see prejudice in the words of these two individuals.

e)      LESSON:  When individuals oppose others, they find anything and everything they can use against the other person, even if it is lawful.

3)      “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses?  hath he not spoken also by us?”

a)      We see pride in the last statement:  “Hath he not spoken also by us?”  We, too, are just as important as Moses.

b)      We see a longing for power in the first statement:  “Hath the Lord indeed spoken ONLY by Moses?”

2.      God’s reaction:

a.      God’s reaction was swift.  “And the Lord spake suddenly…” (v. 4).

b.      The Lord noted the difference between Moses and his siblings (v. 8a).

 

With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall be behold…

 

c.       The Lord confronted the boldness of their rebellion (v. 8b)

 

…wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

 

d.      “And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them…” (v. 9)

3.      The punishment of Miriam (NOTE:  Only Miriam is physically punished.  This indicates that it was she who was primarily responsible for this rebellion).

a.      The Affliction (v. 10)

 

And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous…

 

b.      The Alienation (v. 15)

 

And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days…

 

C.     Power, prominence, prestige, popularity and other things can go to a person’s head.  A person can believe he/she is more important than he/she really is.  His/her heart and head can bulge with pride.

1.      Proverbs 29:23

 

A man’s pride shall bring him low…

 

2.      Romans 12:3

 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    After Miriam’s and Aaron’s rebellion against Moses, we only read about Miriam one more time as far as events in her life are concerned.

 

B.      Her life, like all lives, came to an end (Num. 20:1).

 

Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation into the desert of Zin in the first month:  and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

 

1.      Did she rise to prominence again?  We are not told.

2.      Could her life have been different if not for her rebellion?  We are not told.

3.      Did Israel mourn for her loudly and long?  We are not told.