From our lesson of Miriam (Exodus 2:1-10; 15:20-21; Numbers 12:1-15), here are some important points. The points do not directly answer the questions on pages 55-58 of the text, but may help you in our discussion at the Saturday Bible Study 06/21/2014.
1. The birth mother of Mirian was Jochebed, her Father was Amram. Miriam’s brothers were Aaron and Moses (Exodus 6:20)(Numbers 26:59).
2. Upon Moses’ birth, Jochebed hid him for three months then put him into a floating basket among the reeds of the Nile River. (Exodus 2:1-4). Miriam, Moses’ sister, kept watch to see what would happen to him (Exodus 2:5).
3. When Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby and observed he was Hebrew (Exodus 2:5-6), Miriam offered to find a Hebrew woman to take care of the baby (Exodus 2:7).
4. Mariam went back to Jochebed and brought her to Pharaoh’s Daughter who arranged for the care of the baby until the child grew older (Exodus 2:8-9).
5. After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and the Pharaoh’s army drowned (Exodus 13:18; 14:29-31), Miriam led the Israelite women in dancing and she sang Praises to the Lord (Exodus 15:19-21).
6. Miriam is considered a prophetess, as she was one through which God spoke His word, to the Israelites (Exodus 15:20; Numbers 12:2).
7. Miriam conspired with Aaron to oppose Moses, due to his choosing a Cushite wife (Numbers 12:1) and exhibited jealousy toward Moses when God gave His prophetic Spirit to the seventy elders (Numbers 12:2).
8. God expressed His anger toward Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:5-8).
9. Miriam was struck with leprosy as a punishment for her actions and Aaron asked Moses to ask God for mercy to cure her and not do the same to him (Numbers 12: 5-15).
10. God, in proclaiming His judgment of captivity on the people of Samaria and Judah, used the example of His goodness by pointing out He sent Mariam as one of the of the chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Micah 6:4).
1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995.
2. Jean E Syswerda, Women of the Bible, Zondervan, 1999.
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