Topical Bible: Judgments: Miriam

◄ Judgments: Miriam ►

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Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for her leadership role among the Israelites and her involvement in key events during the Exodus. Her account is marked by both her contributions and her failings, which led to divine judgment.

Role and Contributions

Miriam first appears in the biblical narrative during the early life of Moses. As the sister who watched over Moses when he was placed in a basket on the Nile River, she played a crucial role in ensuring his safety and eventual adoption by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:4-8). Later, Miriam is recognized as a prophetess and a leader among the women of Israel. After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, she led the women in song and dance, praising God for the deliverance from the Egyptians: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing" (Exodus 15:20).

Rebellion and Judgment

Despite her prominent position, Miriam's account also includes a moment of rebellion against Moses, which resulted in divine judgment. In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife and questioned his unique role as God's chosen leader. The Lord responded by affirming Moses' special relationship with Him and rebuking Miriam and Aaron for their challenge: "Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:8).

As a consequence of her actions, Miriam was struck with leprosy, turning her skin white as snow. This judgment served as a public demonstration of God's displeasure and the seriousness of challenging His appointed leader. Aaron, recognizing the severity of the situation, pleaded with Moses to intercede on Miriam's behalf. Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "O God, please heal her!" (Numbers 12:13). The Lord instructed that Miriam be confined outside the camp for seven days, after which she was healed and restored to the community (Numbers 12:14-15).

Legacy

Miriam's life serves as a reminder of both the honor and responsibility that come with leadership. Her initial faithfulness and later failure highlight the importance of humility and obedience to God's established order. Despite her moment of rebellion, Miriam is remembered as a key figure in Israel's history, and her death is noted with significance: "The entire congregation of Israel journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Kadesh, and there Miriam died and was buried" (Numbers 20:1).

Miriam's account is a testament to God's justice and mercy, illustrating the balance between His righteous judgment and His willingness to forgive and restore those who repent. Her life and the judgment she faced continue to offer valuable lessons for believers regarding the importance of respecting God's chosen leaders and maintaining a spirit of humility and submission to His will.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 12:1-15
And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... his displeasure as emphatically as God had now shown His, Miriam could not ... He resents
our shamelessness, and desires that we consider His judgments till our ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/shame on account of gods.htm

The Winepress and Its Treader
... of His loving kindnesses.' Pharaoh is drowned in the Red Sea; Miriam and her ... power
belong to our God, for true and righteous are His judgments.' The innermost ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the winepress and its treader.htm

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... mingled with it, betokening the heat and fierceness of the coming judgments which
were ... of Israel this song," and it is as much connected with Miriam as with ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... to know whether there was any possibility of averting the judgments, and, if ... Miriam,
Deborah, the wife of Isaiah, are instances of 'your daughters' prophesying ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

Mighty to Save
... we are ever to understand the greatness of His love or the terribleness of His
judgments. ... The tragedy of the drowned hosts in the Red Sea, and Miriam and her ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/mighty to save.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... out of the house of bondage; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. ... They
began to learn the wonderful judgments of God, who gave precedence to Abel ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Ahaz
... of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. ... Stricken
with a nameless dread of the retributive judgments of an offended God, the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 27 ahaz.htm

The Well-Spring of Salvation
... therefore, confused manner, in any measure commend themselves to your judgments
and your ... because Pharaoh and his hosts were drowned in it that Miriam and her ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the well-spring of salvation.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... To the same time belongs the song of Miriam in Exodus 15. ... prepared his heart to seek
the law of the Lord and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." As we ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... And Miriam the sister of Aaron, a prophetess, took a timpane in her hand ... There our
Lord ordained commandments and judgments, and there he tempted him saying: If ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm