One of my favorite women in the Bible is Miriam. She is probably more like me. We first see her after Moses is born at the wrong time. The government is saying there are too many Israelites. Moses’ mother makes a basket, puts Moses in the basket, puts both in the Nile River, and has Miriam watch to see what happens. Pharaoh’s daughter sees the basket and discovers Moses inside Miriam is very brave and asks Pharaoh’s daughter if she should find a nursing mother? The mother of Moses gets paid for taking care of her baby. Fast forward to where the Israelite children are leaving Egypt with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit. The Red Sea parts for the Israelites but Pharaoh’s army drowns in the Red Sea. Our leader Miriam leads the other women with tambourine in hand and has a song about Moses the hero leading the Israelites out of bondage thanks to God, and the Egyptian horse and rider drown in the sea. What a celebration this was!
After all the fun things that Miriam is involved in, her mouth gets her in trouble. She is upset with Moses’ Cushite wife and is talking against Moses. She does not shut up about Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and God is not happy. He tells Moses to get his siblings and meet Him at the sanctuary doors. The more I read this, it sounds like God is saying meet me at the woodshed. Or, we’re going to have a come to Jesus meeting, or heads are going to roll. God is furious. How dare you talk against my servant Moses? Who do you think you are? I can almost see the tabernacle tent stain glass windows shaking. Whoa … God continues, my other prophets, I gave them dreams, but with Moses, I talked to face to face. I get the feeling that Moses is His favorite. As God is leaving the sanctuary tent, our lady turns white with leprosy. The Bible doesn’t tell us but I can imagine our heroine has crumpled to the floor sobbing. For her punishment, Miriam has to stay outside of the camp for 7 days before moving to the Promised Land with the rest of the Israelites.
I have been in this place where God is correcting me. I never received punishment like Miriam. But we know when we have sinned. What does this mean for you and I? I think God wants us to be careful with the words we use with one another.
The Bible tells us in: Colossians 3:13 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Wanda