Pentecost: Miriam

 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. 

Like Deborah, Miriam is honored as prophet by Jewish tradition for her leadership. The ministry of leadership and prophecy is one that must be used carefully lest it causes trouble. Miriam is evidence of what can happen if a leader or prophet begins to think they are infallable. Later in the Exodus journey, she and Aaron confront Moses in a power struggle. Miriam is afflicted with leprosy for a week for her role in the division, in the congregation, that follows (Numbers 12:10-16).

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?

Out of Control-When your Rope is Fraying

Last time we shared a conversation between Leah and Moses who both learned that only when they really let go of their agendas was God able to work. Like them we try and try to make ‘our way’ work out. But then we discover we are hanging by a fraying rope and hoping that it doesn’t break, rather like this story:

There was a monastery high on a cliff. The only access was by way of riding in a basket which several monks hauled up to the top. Obviously the ride over the rocky jagged terrain was steep, and in a wicker basket it was terrifying to all but the naively fearless. One visitor, however, got exceedingly nervous. Roughly halfway up he saw that the rope by which he was being hauled was rather frayed and splitting. Shaking in his boots but unable to move, he frantically asked the monk who was seated next to him how often they changed the rope. Thinking for a moment, the monk answered, "whenever it breaks."

Miriam in the Old Testament and the Samaritan Woman in the New are two women who know a bit about frayed ropes and what happens when they break.

Miriam, as Moses’ sister was important to the Children of Israel during the Exodus. You may recall she led the victory dance after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15:20-21). However, when she tried to prove who was a better leader and more in control, she found herself exiled outside the camp with leprosy. (Numbers 12:1-15)

The Samaritan Woman (John 4:7-30) had clearly been trying to get her life in order and be in control of it for a long time. Jesus tells her “You have had 5 husbands and the one you have now is not your husband.” She has had extremely bad luck with husbands, for whatever reason. In a world where a woman was dependent on the man in her life, this was not a good thing. In fact, she is reduced to living with a man she isn’t married to in order to get that protection.

Miriam and the Samaritan Woman were looking for power and security in the wrong place. Miriam was angry because Moses seemed to have all the power, and she felt he misused it because he “married a Cushite woman.” She forgot that it was God who was really in control of the Exodus until she and Aaron are confronted by the Lord. “Come out, you 3, to the tent of meeting,” God says. He then reminds them that “with [Moses] I speak face to face…and he beholds the form of the Lord.”

Miriam is reminded that God is in control “when the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow.” This dread disease was feared in the ancient world and anyone with it was an outcast. So, she is “shut up outside the camp 7 days…and the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again.” During that time, she learned to trust God a bit more and to control her pride.

The Samaritan Woman, too, is an outcast in the community. She comes to draw water at the sixth hour rather than in the early morning like the other women of Sychar. Being considered perhaps a pariah (or at least gossiped about as immoral) because of her lifestyle gave her the opportunity to meet Jesus and engage in a theological conversation with him.

First he asks her for a drink, much to her amazement. “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” That a man and a Jewish man, at that, spoke to her at all was cause to be astonished!

Jesus responds by saying he can give ‘living water.’ To her mind living water is running water (like a spring or well) rather than well water and she knows there is not a spring nearby. The woman is confused even more when he announces, “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst; the water that I shall give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” She desires this, even though she really doesn’t understand. Jesus goes on to tell her that “true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the such the Father seeks to worship him.”

Both Miriam and the Samaritan Woman encounter God when the frayed rope of ‘being in control’ snapped and they found themselves outcast from their community. I’ll bet there are times you have felt like an outcast, too.

God comes to each of us when we feel that we’ve reach a point of no return-be it a job loss, or health crisis, or faith challenge. Look around-God is right there waiting to give you living water and heal the leprosy. Just today I read a blog post that puts it all in perspective:

“So go get the milk and take out the trash and throw in the laundry and wave giddy to the neighbors because there is a plan and there is a purpose and there is a God in heaven who didn’t just ink you onto the palm of His hands but etched your name right into Himself with nails and He’s hasn’t just got your number, He’s got your heart. He sees you, hidden in Him, and you aren’t ever forgotten because God can’t forget those right in Him. You’ve never missed the boat when you’re holding onto the Cross.
So really — you’ve got to believe it for your 16 year-old-self and 56 year-old-self and for yourself right now: really, it’s all working out okay.
Because God’s writing your story and He never leaves you alone in your story, and His perfect love absorbs all your fear and His perfect grace carries all your burdens, and your story is a happily ever after because Christ bought your happily ever after so you always know how this story ends:
You’re going to be okay.”

(you can read the rest here) 

Next time we'll look at what can happen when you really let God be in control. For one thing you don't have to worry about the loose ends of fraying ropes that leave us feeling frightened and out of control! 

Ordinary Time Excursion-Miriam

This week we meet Miriam, sister of Moses. She has only 4 citations in the Bible. However, she is a courageous woman who continues to inspire us thousands of years later. She spent a long time in the wilderness, and even at the end didn't get to enter the Promised Land, but she learned to trust that God's way is the best way.

We meet her as a child approaching Pharaoh’s daughter to offer her mother as nursemaid for her brother. “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women…?” (Exodus 2:7) Many years later we hear her song of triumph after the Israelites cross the sea. “Then Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.’” (Exodus 15:20-21). Miriam saw God's actions clearly and proclaimed them to all the people.

Of course she is best known for her rebellion against Moses in Numbers 12. “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses…behold, Miriam was leprous….the people did not set out on the march till Miriam was brought in again.” Not unlike many of us, she decided that she knew better than God or Moses how things should be done. Lastly, we hear of her death before the people enter the Promised Land. “The people of Israel…came into the wilderness of Zin…and Miriam died there and was buried there.” (Numbers 20:1)

In these few glimpses of her life against the backdrop of the grand story of the Exodus, we see a brave, faithful woman, who is not afraid to speak up. Even as a child, she boldly addresses Pharaoh’s daughter. As an adult, she is known as a prophetess and leads the women in celebration. Although quiet during much of the Exodus, she is not afraid to confront Moses when she thinks he is wrong for his marriage to “a Cushite woman.” (Numbers 12:1) It appears that God is angry with Miriam and Aaron for asking “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” (Numbers 12:2). For their pride, God reminds them that “my servant Moses…is entrusted with all my house…and he beholds the form of the Lord.” (Numbers 12:7-8) Then Miriam is left leprous. Perhaps because he immediately repents Aaron is spared the same fate as Moses intercedes for his sister. She is left outcast for 7 days as “If her father had but spit in her face…let her be shut up outside the camp…” (Numbers 12:14)

In many cultures, to be spat upon is considered a curse. God has symbolically spit upon Miriam and made her unclean through the leprosy because her actions have belittled Moses (as a woman to speak against the leader). However, she is not “cast out” forever, just for a week.

Miriam and the children of Israel are being prepared to enter the Promised Land. Like us, they need to learn that God is the one who will lead them safely. Sadly, the next several chapters of Numbers recite the doubts of the people and the spies. The Lord announces, “No one [of you] shall come into the land…but your little ones…I will bring in.” (Numbers 14:30-31) So, because of their continued doubts and dependence on their own strength, the people do not obtain immediately the promise.

What can we learn from Miriam? Even though she is oppressed with leprosy for her mutiny and “shut outside the camp for seven days,” (Numbers 12:15) God does not abandon her. Despite their doubts and fears, God continues to provide for the people until they do finally enter the Promised Land (but that’s another story).

Even though neither Miriam nor Moses set foot in the Promised Land, they both knew that God would bring the people in. “I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there,” God tells Moses on Mt. Nebo. (Deuteronomy 34:4) Miriam too is close to the Promised Land when she dies at Kadesh. After a life spent following God, she knew that Psalm 37 is correct, “Our steps are made firm by the LORD, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the LORD holds us by the hand.” (Ps. 37:24-25)

In my novel, Miriam’s Healing,* she affirms this belief at the end of the book:

“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the one who throughout our bondage and our wanderings has been the true deliverer. Even though I hoped to liberate my family, I AM used a shepherd’s staff in the hands of my brother to redeem all the children of Israel. God always has a greater plan than we can see.”


“My sister, your words are true,” the voice of Moses, Deliverer of Israel, was heard.


He joined the group beside his sister.


“It is the Lord who will bring the victory. The people are ready to enter the Promised Land,” Miriam stated with conviction.


“Yes, they have learned the ways of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they listen to your words,” a smile of affirmation was for the Prophet’s sister. “By the recitation of the manifold acts of the Living God, the people have been healed of their doubt. They are now a faithful nation ready and able to follow the laws set out by I AM. With your help, my sister, the Word of God has been given to these chosen ones.”

When we become too prideful and forget who is really in charge, God does not abandon us, either. The natural consequences of our actions can cause us pain when our plans come crashing down around us, but God is still right there. We may feel that the rug has been pulled out from under us. Only looking back do we see that God was preparing us for something better than we might have expected. Once upon a time I thought I was meant to be a Sunday School teacher for the rest of my life…but God had other plans and led me through a dark time to become an author.

Next week we will meet Abigail, a woman who learned that God’s ways are infinitely more surprising than any plans we can make.

*Miriam’s Healing, ISBN: 978-0-557-00943-5, available online through Amazon.com and my website (CynthiaDavisAuthor.com).

Doing or Being

On our journey through Lent we sometimes take on new disciplines--more prayer or study or extra volunteer work. We can find ourselves so immersed in 'doing' that we forget to sit quietly and 'be' in the presence of God.


The story that often comes to mind when we think about the difference between “Doing” for God vs. “Being” with God, is about Mary and Martha of Bethany. The emphasis is often on how much better it is to ‘be’ in the presence of Christ, like Mary, instead of ‘being busy with many things’ like Martha. It’s not the doing that is really the problem, but the ease with which it gets in the way of being with God.

Miriam of the Exodus had to learn to balance her busy-ness with listening to God. There’s not much about Miriam in the Old Testament, so we have to read between the lines to tease out her life. That is what I did in Miriam’s Healing. We know that Miriam was the sister of both Aaron and Moses. She is best known for following the basket with Moses inside until it landed at the feet of Pharaoh’s daughter.

“[His mother] put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. ‘This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,’ she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Yes.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, ‘because’, she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.” (Exodus 2:3-10)

We know the story of Moses from movies like The Ten Commandments or Prince of Egypt. He kills an overseer for mistreating a Hebrew worker and flees to the desert. Miriam is left behind in Egypt. She decides (in my book) to be in charge of taking care of everyone even though her own faith slipped away. Doing takes the place of Being still and waiting for God.

The long years stretched out and receded in sameness. Aaron and I mourned the death of first Jochebed and then Amram. They died within a few months of each other. The gold from the Princess was used to purchase the services of the embalmer and a small tomb. My parents would not lie in the desert sand to be ravaged by wild beasts.


I never saw the princess again. A few years after Moses disappeared, the royal barge brought her body to be buried beneath the small monument that bore her name. A year later the old Pharaoh died. Grand ceremonies were held at the temple that bore his name and was inscribed with his exploits. Then his embalmed, wrapped, and sanctified body was taken to the secret burial place of Kings. When alive, each Pharaoh was Horus, son of Osiris. In death, the king became Osiris, in charge of all life in Egypt. It was very important that the ka of the King remain undisturbed even after death. The silent pyramids and their attendant monuments and mortuary temples all paid tribute to attempts to keep past rulers undisturbed.


The new Pharaoh was a harsh, proud man. I saw him from a distance once. He insisted on more marvelous feats of building and statuary in the Treasure City called by his name, Raamses. Men pushed beyond endurance died in the heat and dust.


I wept angrily to the One God. “Don’t you see us? Can’t you save us?” The faith of my parents seemed futile and foolish. With each year of God’s silence, I became more and more convinced that the God of Israel was helpless. The songs my mother had sung seemed empty memories of a hopeless people.*

When Moses returns to Egypt claiming to be the Deliverer, Miriam and Aaron have to change their lives. Still Miriam works at being the one in charge and able to 'fix' things. When Moses and Aaron are discouraged, it is Miriam who urges them not to give up.

“Pharaoh will not let the children of Israel go,” he stated in a dead tone. “He is so angry that he has ordered the bricks be made without straw.” Another groan of sorrow, “I have harmed the people I was sent to help. ‘Everyone will have to work to gather straw in the fields’,” he quoted. “The tally will not be less.”


I couldn’t suppress my gasp at his words. Aaron bowed his head in resignation. Zipporah stroked Moses hair in sympathy. The silence held hopelessness. My brothers looked like whipped puppies rather than messengers of the Living God. Anger helped me find my voice.


“Are you going to let one setback discourage you? Do you plan to quit after one attempt?”


“These are not things a woman understands,” Aaron’s voice was harsh and arrogant.


Hands on my hips, I faced my brothers, “If a woman gave up after one attempt at birthing a child, children would have ceased to be long ago. Women know more about perseverance than any man.” I turned to my youngest brother; “You are birthing a nation. It will not be easy. Do you think that the God who has preserved you this far will abandon you now?”


“My sister,” Moses looked at me, desolation in his eyes. “I threw down my staff as God commanded. At first, the cobra frightened Pharaoh. Then the priests used their drugged snakes to do the same thing. The King and all the court laughed. Pharaoh asked if I had other magic tricks to show him.”


“So you have given up because of a little derision? The laughter of men is more important than the will of God? The Living One said you would do great things, and that He would bring the people out with mighty wonders. Surely the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is stronger than the Nile gods, even Pharaoh.”*

Miriam, despite her busy-ness, was able to see beyond the immediate results and realize that God could act through the frailty of her brothers. How often do you and I get discouraged when things don’t go our way? Are you, like me, guilty of trying to 'fix' things for other people instead of leaving them in God's hands?
Miriam originally looked inward to find solace instead of seeking God when her life began to spin out of control. Many of us do the same thing. Keeping busy helps us forget the troubles. Our culture rewards busy behavior and we are expected to multi-task. It all leaves little time for God. Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the better part” (Luke 10:42) not because it is bad to make food for guests, but because Martha was “worried and distracted by many things.” Being too busy can distract us from finding time to sit quietly and focus on God.

In Miriam’s Healing, Miriam continues to be the organizing force that keeps things moving smoothly. She tries to ignore the urging from God that suggests she should stop, listen, and become the storyteller of the nation. Only after she is exiled from the camp with leprosy (Numbers 12) does she understand the power of the words of the story.

For a long time, I lay on my pallet of blankets. The peace lingered with me. I knew now that God had been with me even when I doubted and turned from him. In my darkest moments, it was the hand of the Living One that comforted me.


In the quiet of the ending night, God gave me a great gift. I saw the action of I AM from the beginning of time. The Ruach that breathed life into all creation, the EL who spoke to Abraham and wrestled with Jacob was the same I AM that now led the chosen people with the cloud of glory. My fingers itched to write the words. No longer did I doubt that the stories of the Living God would convert the people. Only by hearing of the actions of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could the congregation find unity and identity.*

Sick with leprosy, Miriam’s life had been taken out of her control. All her life she tried to ensure that everything was taken care of. God’s action of redemption of the nation brought about a greater freedom than she could have imagined. She still finds it difficult to let God be in charge. Only when she is struck with the dread sickness, can she understand that God has been in charge of her life all along. She did not have to do anything. She had to sit with God and let go of the busy-ness of her life in order to hear and understand.

Do you take time regularly to sit with God? I spent one day at the Botanical Gardens here and found it a very refreshing break and time with God. Retreats are another way to do this, but a daily or weekly discipline keeps you in contact regularly with the One who guides our steps. I invite you to find a time to be still and sit at the feet of our Lord with Miriam of the Old Testament and Mary of Bethany. Who knows what you will discover about your journey…?

*All quotations are from Miriam's Healing by Cynthia Davis. Available online from Amazon.com and the author.
 
Next week, on Palm Sunday, we'll look at how our Expectations of God affect our relationship to God.