We continue with our series of women who responded to God’s call in the midst of their daily lives. Last week we encountered Deborah, a prophet and warrior who was simply meeting the people under a palm tree when God called her to do more.
Today we meet Miriam, who had a very different life. Her
story is in Exodus. She was born in Egypt and we first meet her in the
bulrushes watching her brother’s basket bob in the water. She bravely speaks up
when Pharoah’s daughter claims the basket. This enables her brother, Moses, to
grow up in the royal palace even though she and her family remain enslaved.
Perhaps the family thought that he would get some kind of
power as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter that would benefit them. After
Moses flees from Egypt to escape prosecution for murder, they probably gave up
hope. Then 40 years later, he returns claiming to be sent by the God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Miriam and all the Children of Israel now had to decide
whether to believe and follow him or not. Everyone knows the story of the ten
plagues, and then the Exodus from Egypt. Some postulate that the plagues and
signs were as much to prove God’s power to the Hebrews as to the Egyptians.
We next see Miriam dancing and singing in celebration with
the other women after the successful crossing of the Red (or Reed) Sea where the
chariots and his army [God] has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s
officers are drowned in the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:4) This wall hanging of Miriam and the women is just one representation of the event.
St. Paul notes that prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit in Ephesians 4:11-16. He states, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ…edifying itself in love. All the gifts of the Spirit are meant to be used in love and for love in order to 'edify' the Body of Christ.
In the Letter to the Corinthians Paul reminds the
congregation that prophecy is important. He says, Pursue love and strive for
the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy…those who prophesy
speak to other people for their building up and encouragement and consolation
[and] build up the church. (I
Corinthians 14:1-4)
When Miriam and Aaron confront Moses in their role as
prophets, they cause dissension and division in the congregation of the
Children of Israel. Paul insists that prophecy has ti be an outgrowth of love in order
to build up and encourage the body of Christ.
Last week we saw that Deborah, another prophet, acted for
the good of the people by helping them defeat Sisera and Jabin so that the
‘land had peace.’ There are still prophets who warn of climate change, who speak
of the need for racial justice and social equity, who call for reparation and
reconciliation after centuries of abuses. They can be uncomfortable to listen
to and so society, individuals, and even leaders try to silence them by
contradiction, misinformation, and even violence.
True prophets speak love—not the Valentine card type of love—but
the love of God who desires that we love God, love our neighbor and love
ourselves. The kind of love that says, Greater love has no one than this: to
lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) It's not easy to live that love, nor be a prophet of that love.
Who might you identify as a present-day prophet?
Are you a prophet? Do you speak up in love?
