In the story of Miriam, we see how she had to suffer the consequences of her actions. Nevertheless, we are given the opportunity to see a display of God’s willingness to forgive her and she reentered the camp a forgiven woman. I particularly rejoiced after reading Psalms 103:2-3, Micah 7:18 and 1 John 1:9. How blessed we are that God is always willing to pardon our sins and offer forgiveness after true repentance.
Below are some questions to ponder. Please feel free to answer one or all of the questions. Additional comments are welcomed:
From Exodus 15:19-21
1. Describe what you think Miriam and the other women of Israel were thinking and feeling as they walked through the Red Sea. After they made it safely through, why do you think they chose to dance to express their praise?
2. How do you think you would have felt in that situation? Would you have danced? Or would you have used some other form of praise to God? If so, what?
From Numbers 12:1-15
3. Why do you think Miriam was singled out for the punishment of leprosy and not Aaron?
4. What do you think Miriam was feeling and thinking when she was outside the camp for those seven days (12:14-15)? What would go through your mind if you were in Miriam’s position?
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3 comments:
What's in a name?
The name Miriam is derivative of the Hebrew word "mara" which means bitter. When I read about Miriam in the Bible, I thought of my sister Miriam Patterson. It gave me a different perspective of what's in a name. Miriam endured alot of hardship in her life (i.e. slavery & having to leave her baby brother on the river bank not knowing his outcome) but she perservered and was able to rejoice with her brother Moses when the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea. My sister Miriam has endured a lot of hardship as well and it seems the "bitter" things in life have been at her door for quite sometime. I admire her spirit. I see her smile and I see her strength. I see her come to worship and she looks beautiful. She is holding on to God's hand. Sometimes in life we wonder why bitter things must come our way. They are there to make us strong. I see this in Miriam. Miriam please continue to hold to God. He loves you and has promised that He will never leave your nor forsake you.
Roslyn, what wonderful insight you have. You are right about our sister in Christ, Miriam Patterson. Let us rally around Miriam and her family in their time of bereavement and do not just what sisters should do for one another, but what christians should do for one another. That is support one another in their time of need and keep them in our constant prayers.
I know it's been quite awhile for me, so I figured it's time to get back on track and what a better why to jump back on the saddle by starting out commenting on the very name given to me at birth.
First, I'd like to thank Roslyn Nail and my dearest Faye Harvin, and all the sisters in Christ that has grown to know and understand me; specifically for the constant kind words of encouragement and support during these trying times for my entire family. Roslyn, I thank you; in particular, for taking note of qualities you see within me that often times I never knew I possessed. You are thoughtful and kind, your words are genuine and I know this because of the personal interaction between us. You have been a source of encouragement for me since our relocation to the Queen City through your honesty, your personal spiritual struggles which you've shared and overcome.
It's been a rough road indeed for us. Ironically, when I rededicated my life to Christ about 6 years ago, the first thing I felt a strong desire to learn about was "Miriam." I wanted to know who she was, why she was so bitter and rebellious. Oddly enough, during my search, I learned that the name, Miriam roots from Mary, my mother's name and is also associated or referenced as Maria, my daughter's name in other regions of the world. Well to say the least they all mean the same thing; bitter, rebellious, feeling and emotional. Throughout my life experiences and learning, I've found that I tend to have all of these traits. But now, more than ever before, I really understand what the name references and why these women of the bible were characterized so. It is merely based on their behavior. We've already mentioned a few of the most courageous things Miriam did even as a child. She showed bravery and courage. As they crossed the Red Sea, the bible states that Miriam lead the women in song and dance of victory. Later she tried to impute her jealous thoughts on her brother, Aaron which were against Moses, and his new Ethiopian wife and even Moses as a Prophet. The bible also speaks to Miriam being a prophetess, meaning God spoke through her or used her at times to encourage his people. She was later struck with leprosy because she spoke against Moses to Aaron.
Miriam, obviously had great influence with the people of the camp, because the bible states that during the curse of Leprosy while she was placed outside of the camp, the children of Israel waited for her to recover and did not travel until she was well again. God made an example of her, by showing that you cannot divide his people or cause controversy or confusion among them without facing the consequences. Strangely enough, God chastened Miriam for her words as she murmured against Moses before things got out of control. That one woman could have caused a multitude of followers to sin against God. God stopped it before it could even start.
I can relate to Miriam, I've questioned lots of things that have transpired over the years, sometimes I've taken on a negative attitude. Often thought my tribulations to be unfair or extreme. But, through it all from this particular story I found comfort and peace in knowing that God chastens those whom He loves in an effort to save us from ourselves.
I am blessed. Words cannot express the closeness I feel to God. I know now more than ever before that He is Alive and Real! Once, I stopped kicking against the prick (as my Mom would say), I realized that God is in complete control not me nor anyone else and I am responsible for my own behavior. I now own up to that and God has began to heal my pain and is giving me the peace that surpasses all understanding. I don't know how I am standing; but I know I will never give up or in 'cause Jesus is in control.
As a young girl and teen, I disliked my name because it was so unusually. Not a common name, when I gained a better understanding in my early 30's; I learned to respect biblically names. I now have great admiration for my name as it stems from Mary. Mary, the mother of Jesus also had these same emotions. To give birth to the Savior, her first born, to stand back and watched him be beaten all night and die a cruel death at the hands of evil spirited men and women when He had done nothing wrong! I'm sure she felt all of those emotions. Miriam, to live as a slave girl, see her people mistreated; more specifically her Mother, Jacobed, watch the Egyptians live in luxury, and commit evil deeds daily. Place her little brother in the river banks where he could have been eaten by alligators, even drowned or suffocated; to watch the Egyptian woman take him up and not know what would become of him @!$#%%# would he live or die? What pain and agony of injustice they both bore . . .
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