Bible Character Studies: Miriam

Character Studies: Miriam

Aaron was three years older than Moses. Ex. 7:7 Miriam was possibly ten years older than Moses. Though we’re not told in Scripture, but she was old enough to be sent on her own to see what happened to her newborn brother when he was put into the reeds of the Nile. Ex. 2:4

Her parents were Amram and Jochebed. She was his aunt. Exodus 6:20 1 Chron. 6:3 Both parents were from the tribe of Levi. Ex. 2:1,4:14

“The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and to Amram she bore Aaron and Moses and their sister Miriam.” Num. 26:59

She is referred to as “Miriam the prophetess” in Ex. 15:20, 21 and she composed part of the song of praise after they crossed the Red Sea.

“Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them:

‘Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!’”

She is best known for her dissension of Moses, along with Aaron, recorded in Numbers 12. They first seemed to speak against him because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman, but then the real reason surfaces. They were envious and proud. “So they said, ‘Has the LORD only spoken through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?’ And the LORD heard it.” They weren’t satisfied with their already elevated status, but wanted more, and couched it in noble, religious language. Their words and behaviour were contrasted with the humble Moses.

God descends in the cloud and calls them out to the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses, then tells them to step forward. (gulp) He then compares other prophets who He communicates with through dreams and visions, whereas with Moses He speaks face to face. In light of this honour God has bestowed on him, He asks, “Why were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” Calling Moses His servant further emphasizes Moses’ humility in contrast with their haughty attitude.

God is angry with them and departs without further comment. It’s kind of like a parent who is angry and leaves to contemplate your punishment. (gulp, again) As soon as He departs, Miriam became leprous. Aaron is shocked. Leprosy represents sin and sin separates us from God, which is why lepers were to be put outside the camp and not allowed in the tabernacle. (Lev. 13:45,45)

Aaron appeals to Moses. He dared not speak to God to complain.  Yet he recognizes that even though the leprosy fell on Miriam, it was also because of him and a judgment on him. “Oh my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.” Aaron probably was not struck by leprosy because he was the High Priest and that would have disqualified him from ministering.

Moses feels their pain. He cries out to the LORD on their behalf, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!” hoping, since God has heeded his intercession in the past, He may again.

But God’s response argues from the lesser to the greater. “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not be shamed seven days? Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and afterward she may be received again.” Num. 12:14

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. ‘If then I am the Father, where is my honor? And if I am a Master, where is my reverence?’ Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name, yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’” Mal. 1:6

This is an insult against the Heavenly Father. So she is punished according to the sentence God imposed on her, and the people don’t continue on until she is restored.

What do we learn from this unfortunate incident? God exalts whom He will, God hears everything we say, He is angry at our sin, even religious leaders can sin, even religious leaders can be proud and envious, God will judge sin even in His own people, God will judge righteously, and He hears our prayers of intercession.

This episode is used as a cautionary tale for the children of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. “Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the way when you came out of Egypt!” Deut. 24:9

Miriam is not heard from again until her death is recorded in Numbers 20:1, the same year as her brothers die, but she predeceases them. At the time she died, she probably believed her brothers would go into the Promised Land. She didn’t know they would rebel and be punished. She dies and is buried in Kadesh in the first month.

She is mentioned by God as one of the leaders He graciously gave to the children of Israel.

“O My people, what have I done to you?
And how have I wearied you?
Testify against Me.
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
I redeemed you from the house of bondage;
And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” Micah 6:3,4