5 Lessons From The Life of Miriam (Prophet Moses' Sister)

 

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible contains stories and events about the lives of men. These stories and events have been written to teach us (Romans 15:4).  Today, one of such stories to learn from is the story of Miriam.

Miriam was the elder sister of one of the mightily used men in scriptures; Moses. The life and story of Miriam holds important lessons for us. Here are five important lessons from the life of Miriam.

1.   1. God works in men and directs their paths for His purposes even when they don't know it.

God used Miriam to preserve the life of her younger brother (Exodus 2:1-10). Miriam was just a child whose innocent curiosity  made her follow and trace the basket her younger brother was kept in. To young Miriam, she never would have thought that her innocent desire to see what happens to her brother was being used by God to preserve the life of her brother and keep the new born child in God's plan. As believers,  we need to see this and always remember that God is faithful and in His goodness, we can trust Him to lead us in every area of life.

2. Gender is not a barrier to being used by God.

Miriam is the first woman the Bible records to be a prophetess. A prophetess is a female inspired by God to speak His message to people.

 Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron took a timbre in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. (KJV)

From the above scripture, it is clear that not only was Miriam a prophetess, she was a leader and an example to other women in Israel. God is not a sexist, He doesn't discriminate between genders, both male and female can be mightily used by God in fulfilling His plans and purposes. What God requires from everyone either male or female is a devotion and consecration to His plans and purposes.

3.  Honouring those God has placed over you has nothing to do with age.

According to bible history, the actual age difference between Miriam and Moses is not clear but many agree that Miriam was at least seven to eight years older than Moses.

Although she was older than Moses, Miriam had to honour and follow the leadership of her younger brother because He was the one God had called to deliver the children of Israel and lead them to the promise land. This is a very important lesson to learn, God in His sovereignty can place someone younger in a ministry office and people must learn to submit to such people. The Bible instructs us to honour those who God has placed over us and this has nothing to with age.

4.   Criticizing those God has placed over you even when they are wrong is an act of dishonour.

We must realize that God doesn't call people and place His grace upon them because they are perfect. If God demands perfection from every man He uses, there will not be anyone usable because there are no perfect men. God uses people inspite of their flaws and mistakes. The men and women that God has placed in positions of leadership will not always be right in the things that they do and knowing that these people are people whom God has placed His grace and honour upon, we must be wise not to disregard the grace and honour of God upon them by criticizing them when they fall short. Miriam, spoke against  Moses and disregarded the grace and honour of God upon him and God was not pleased with her.

In Numbers 12:1-6, we read that Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. They made statements like “hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? “ And the Lord heard it. (KJV)

The above scripture talks about the dishonour of Miriam and Aaron for Moses. They dishonoured him by speaking against his marriage. God responded to them and defended Moses.

Numbers 12:9-11 says that the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam and behold she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my Lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have sinned. (KJV)

In the above scripture, Miriam became leprous and Aaron pleaded with Moses acknowledging that they had sinned. What was the sin? They spoke against and criticized Moses; the man God had placed over them because of his marriage. This is a lesson Christians must learn from, people must be careful of speaking against those who God has placed His honour upon and criticizing them realizing that these people are not flawless.

5. Never become boastful because God has been using you for His work.

Miriam disregarded the leadership of Moses because she believed God had also used her like He uses Moses in the past. In Numbers 12:2, Miriam and Aaron collectively said: “hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? (KJV)”

The above words were spoken by Miriam and Aaron. They became boastful that God had used them just like He was using Moses and this only made it easy for them to walk in dishonour towards their spiritual leader. Miriam and Aaron did what scriptures instructs us not to do, they esteemed themselves too highly than they ought to:

Romans 12:3 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV)

This is a most vital lesson to be learned. Never become boastful of that which God is doing through you, it will lead you down the path of self destruction because that's what pride always leads to.

These are five important lessons to learn from the life Miriam and learning these lessons will enrich our lives and Christian walk.