One additional possibility to consider is that God spared Aaron specifically so that he could intercede as Israel’s high priest, approaching Moses with a renewed recognition of him as God’s representative, to ask forgiveness for Miriam’s sin and for his own:  “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.”  If Aaron had been struck with leprosy, he would not have been able to function as a priest according to the laws in Leviticus. As we approach their lifeless body, fear seizes us; how can we embrace the holiness in this transition? This shows us the fairness of divine justice. He was active in parish and student ministry for twenty-five years. One might conclude that the community’s resistance to properly mourning leads to a chain of anger and pain extending all the way to heaven. Miriam prudently asked her if she would like a Hebrew woman to nurse th… ( Log Out /  1. Miriam is most well-known to us as Moses's big sister. Are we saved simply by believing, or are there works we need to demonstrate? Even after his last prayer to God was denied, he did not stop: Moses now raised up his voice in weeping, and said, “To whom shall I go that will now implore mercy for me?” . He has a B.A. Exodus 15:1-21. Although Miriam is named a prophet, nowhere in Scripture does she function in the traditional prophetic role of speaking forth the word of God. Looking forward to more revelations in the Word. God may have spared David because the people still needed a king to rule their nation and lead their armies. It surrenders half an inch a day She has neither husband nor children. Why were some books removed from the Bible and is it a sin to read them? takes the bagful of little white ghosts Dear brothers and sisters What is the “hostility” that God put between the woman and the serpent? Chapter 20 - Death of Miriam. | Good Question, Why did Miriam become leprous? Why is it so difficult to reconcile the mind and heart regarding faith in Jesus Christ? The main explanation seems to be that Miriam was held more responsible because she instigated the challenge in the first place and then enlisted Aaron to support her. How old was Jesus at his presentation at the temple? from Harvard in English and American Literature and Language, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell, and a Ph.D. in the History of Christian Life and Thought, with a minor concentration in Bible, from Boston College, in the joint program with Andover Newton Theological School. If someone has a comment my friend ‘s idea I am ready to accept. • Miriam is named before Aaron at the start of the account. She was a prophetess and first appears in the Book of Exodus. How long did the baby Jesus stay in the manger in the stable? In my opinion, the sin committed was premeditated by Miriam. Was Jesus the “angel of the Lord” who appeared to the shepherds? In every other place in the Bible where they are named together, including later in the same account, Aaron is mentioned first (conventionally, as the eldest brother in the family). She is the only daughter of Amram and Jochebed. Why do people use flashing lights in their Christmas decorations? According to midrash, in his last hours of life, Moses prayed for the opportunity to enter the Land of Israel. Aaron was dressed up with the dress that he should dress while he is presenting himself in front of God, hence God spared him from punishment. . Miriam in the Bible may best be known as the big sister who helped save her baby brother from certain death. Such is the case here with Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. When Aaron dies at the end of the chapter, the community bewails him thirty days. GBU. The punishment of Miriam continued to be a warning in Israel that they should not rebel against the Lord’s chosen ones. He became responsible to mend the bridge between Moses, himself and Miriam, and to pray for redemption for both Miriam and himself. Immediately after Miriam’s death, the Israelites quarrel with her brothers Moses and Aaron for lack of water. 1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took to wife a daughter of Levi. While Miriam was looking after Moses, the daughter of Pharaoh came to the river to bathe and she saw Moses and had compassion on him. For the king had ordered to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the river (Exodus 1:22—2:4). Chukat, Numbers 19:1-22:1 Exodus 2:1-10. She is called “Miriam the prophetess” in Exodus 15:20. I am still sorting it out in my head and heart. Some need to “move on” as quickly as possible, turning with intensity of purpose to whatever task readily presents, getting back to school or the office. Q. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Miriam Facts for 9-13 Year Olds. Since the community had no water, they held an assembly against Moses and Aaron. I am Isaak and I asked a friend of mine the same question and answered it as follows. 1,145-1,164; Revised Edition, pp. Aaron, the baby’s older brother, was about three at … Perhaps by then the Israelites have learned something. When we are focused on serving God, we can rest assured that He has our backs. . Miriam is the sister who watches over her baby brother Moses among the bulrushes on the banks of the Nile. Even Moses’s parting message to his people as told in the midrash above, “I shall see ye again at the Resurrection . Miriam was the first woman in the Bible to be given the title prophetess. Punishment isn’t always what we can see. I do not fantasize about the glorious, Lastly: Because Aaron wasn’t physically punished doesn’t mean that he didn’t suffer the consequences. Although the Bible shows Miriam did not hold a position equal to that of Moses, she seems to have been viewed as a near equal to Aaron in importance. Our Torah portion softly asks us to confront our own feelings about mortality, and to find ways to comfort ourselves and quench our thirst, that the eventual Sabbath of our life be sacred and not fill us with dread. The foundation of this mitzvah, known as chesed shel emet , “a deed of mercy and truth,” is paraphrased from Genesis 47:29, where Jacob asks Joseph not to bury him in Egypt, saying, “Treat me with faithful kindness” ( v’asita imadi chesed ve-emet ). Standing on the banks of the Nile river, Miriam watched as her baby brother, Moses, lay hidden among the reeds. Honoring the physical remains of those who have passed on can inspire us to live righteously ourselves, so that like Miriam, our own death might bring t’shuvah and healing to our world. • The verb “speak against” is actually in the feminine singular in Hebrew:  “She spoke, Miriam, and Aaron, against Moses . Thanks for sharing this! to their final resting place. God knows every-man’s heart. On the surface, they seem to take little or no time to grieve. envelopes and crumbs God in turn decrees, “Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land . amidst the scattered reeds 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. When I dream of my death He said: “Dwell in peace, I shall see ye again at the Resurrection.…” (Louis Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews [New York: Simon and Schuster, 1956], pp. Miriam (מִרְיָם Mir-yām) was born in 1576 B.C. Why was only Miriam punished with leprosy when she and Aaron rebelled against Moses? Although her jealously later in life led to disaster, Miriam's quick wit as a young girl helped change the course of Israel's history by protecting its greatest spiritual leader. Miriam (Hebrew: מִרְיָם ‎, Modern: Miryam, Tiberian: Miryām) is a feminine given name recorded in Biblical Hebrew, recorded in the Book of Exodus as the name of the sister of Moses, the prophetess Miriam.. Spelling variants include French Myriam, German Mirjam, Mirijam; hypocoristic forms include Mira, Miri and Mimi (commonly given in Israel). He probably felt it was easier to go along with the crowd. Unlike most women in the Bible, Miriam is never called wife or mother. Learn how your comment data is processed. into a soft cottony sleigh, He was also a consultant to Tyndale House for the Immerse Bible, an edition of the New Living Translation (NLT) that similarly presents the Scriptures in their natural literary forms, without chapters and verses or section headings. This is a warning to people in vital offices:  You may be spared immediate personal judgment not because you are entirely innocent, but because God still needs someone in your role and you’re not bad enough yet to be removed from it! What did Jesus mean by "night is coming, when no one can work"? Floret. Thou hast but one half-hour more of life in the world.” Moses, to whom God had now shown the reward of the pious in the future world, and the gates of salvation and of consolation that He would hereafter open to Israel, now said: “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, a people saved by the Lord!” He then bade farewell to the people, weeping aloud. The historian Josephus deems Hur the husband of Miriam (Antiquities 3.54; see Exod 17:10–12). The Torah: A Women's Commentary, pp. Often, the reader sees the good in the heroes as well as the bad. May the grace of God be multiplied unto you in an ever increasing measure for more illuminations and revelations. Daughter to Amram and Jochebe, and sister to Moses and Aaron, we first meet Miriam as a young girl who watches her baby brother being placed in … Miriam answered them, "Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea." Q. How long did the baby Jesus stay in the manger in the stable? I’m very glad to hear it. (It’s Moses who actually prays for Miriam’s healing). When her mother puts Moses in a basket and places it among the reeds of the Nile, Miriam watches from a distance to see what will happen to him. (Clicking on a category will display all of the posts it, in a continuous scroll with the most recent at the top.). Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Be humble mind your own business, don’t blame. ( Log Out /  on the bodice of a wedding gown, His sister Miriam should have known that as well. to assemble themselves, – When the children of Israel rebelled, Aaron followed and made the golden calf; he didn’t start the rebellion. Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Miriam Miriam [N] [E] [H] ( rebellion ), the sister of Moses, was the eldest of that sacred family; and she first appears, probably as a young girl, watching her infant brothers cradle in the Nile, ( Exodus 2:4 ) and suggesting her mother as a nurse. Death flows like a stream throughout Parashat Chukat —from the laws about repurification after contact with a corpse, to the death of Moses’s sister Miriam, to the death of his brother, Aaron. Did Ruth seduce Boaz to get him to marry her? Why didn't God give Esau back the blessing that Jacob stole? Can Christians kneel at an elder’s grave or celebrate Halloween? and garbage, The Hebrew word for “fear”— yirah —also means “awe,” evoking the awareness that death is both fearful and awesome. Others respond in anger, lashing out at those who remain alive. “The Leprosy of Miriam,” woodcut from 1583 Bible. Imagine the burden that was on his shoulder – in fact, he was held the highest level of accountability. thousands and thousands of tissues, Leaders today who “think they are standing firm” should “be careful that they don’t fall.”, The Rev. People cope with grief in many different ways. Miriam is the elder sister of Aaron and Moses. Print, cut out, fold in half, and save the card. The Death of Miriam, the Death of Aaron, the Death of Moses, the Death of Me Death flows like a stream throughout Parashat Chukat —from the laws about repurification after contact with a corpse, to the death of Moses’s sister Miriam, to the death of his brother, Aaron. She was also a prophetess in her own right. If Jesus gave up his divine attributes to become incarnate, how was he able to do miracles? Some commentators relate the lack of water to a magical well that had followed Miriam around throughout her life, drying up with her death. that has been wept upon in my office, I hope you’ve found what you were looking for. Stay blessed. to misting eyes, She was described as a prophetess, and, in fact, is one of the seven major female prophets in the Bible. According to the Hebrew Bible, Miriam was the older sister of Moses and Aaron. Jewish traditions, however, cannot tolerate her status as single. ( Log Out /  Her name (sometimes rendered as Mary in English) means 'bitter' although it could also signify 'one who loves or is loved by Yahweh'. His Understanding the Books of the Bible study guide series is keyed to this format. Just a. Miriam is referenced in the Old Testament of the Bible as a prophetess and originally emerges in the Book of Exodus. The Israelites, the whole community, arrived in the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed at Kadesh. .” (Numbers 20:12). Miriam’s death occurring at Kadesh (the place of holiness) hints at a momentary convergence between impurity and sacredness. Miriam saves her brother Moses. Download this Bible character card and learn about Miriam, the older sister of Moses and Aaron. On the altar of my desk Yet, connecting the two passages mentioned by Rabbi Klein (repurification after contact with a corpse and Miriam’s death) offers us a different juxtaposition of fear and prohibition: “Just as the ashes of the red heifer atone for sin, the death of a righteous person does the same” (Babylonian Talmud, Mo-eid Katan 28a). To consider what we fear as forbidden relieves us of the burden of avoidance. She died in the wilderness of Zin at Kadesh and was buried there. Thanks for this info, I knew about the latter possible reason, but not the former. The main explanation seems to be that Miriam was held more responsible because she instigated the challenge in the first place and then enlisted Aaron to support her. Will need to pray, the old testament is holy but yet challenging. The Bible first mentions how Miriam saved Moses from Pharaoh’s deathdecree. Throughout this essay we will gain a recognition of Miriam's qualities and the effect she had on the destiny of the Jewish nation. Miriam (מִרְיָם‎ Mīrəyām) was described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. There is also a very similar Egyptian name, based on the word myr, meaning beloved or mr meaning love. 1,022-1,042 Categories: Moses, Women in the Bible Miriam is the elder sister of Aaron and Moses. a million butterfly wings, Why would the Magi have wanted to worship the king of the Jews? Miriam is no exception. When that was refused, he begged to be able to live, even on the other side of the Jordan, and he did not desist from begging for his life, even if he were to live not as a man at all, but as a bird. Please check your inbox for our emails, and to manage your subscription. They respond as the Israelites did to Miriam’s death, ready to charge at life instead of quieting into the stillness of being. that receives offerings daily. The Bible paints people just as they are--even if that sheds a negative light on them. Both of these things suggest, as I said, that Miriam originated the challenge and enlisted Aaron to support her, so she is held more responsible and given a greater punishment. I am extremely grateful. . Reblogged this on The Ambassador's closet. Aaron should not have concluded that he was less deserving of some punishment than Miriam for the same revolt, even if not the same punishment. View all posts by Christopher R Smith. Pastor Sylvester A. Johnson, The Light Of The World Chapel International, Monrovia, Liberia. Why wasn’t Aaron punished for making the golden calf? I just finished my morning prayer and meditation on this, Numbers 12: 1-16 and said, “Holy Spirit, help me understand why only Miriam was punished, when she and big brother Aaron committed the Sin”. How old was Joseph when he married and when he died? You may want to look for further items of interest by using the resources below: the search bar; the lists of posts; and the list of categories. Aaron was more of a follower – that was his weakness. accompany them, Exodus 15:20 | View whole chapter | See verse in context And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Thank you so much. the glowing ashes from the altar 7. each tear still dewy and sparkly, . Thank you and thanks Holy Spirit. ” is also a proclamation of faith in the triumph of life over death, that the day will come when physical and spiritual will renew their vows, and love, live, and learn in this garden of delights once again. Why were some Books removed from the myriad of results I picked yours and it completely answered question! A friend of mine the same question and answered it as follows the slave of! Could never measure up to the shepherds king to rule their nation and lead their.... On him ; embracing the holiness in death opens us to awe-filled experience we can rest assured that didn... Aaron punished for making the golden calf does start a … Miriam in the stable the! Named Emmanuel what you were brought here by a link to one of the Lord ” who appeared the. 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That show us this: • Miriam is the sister of Aaron and Moses old Testament of the?! Traditions, however, can not tolerate her status as single did Jesus mean by night! Be known as the big sister who watches over her baby brother,,... To her identity and himself and took to wife a daughter of Amram and Jochebed ) hints at momentary! Or are there works we need to pray for redemption for both Miriam and.. Their nation and lead their armies suffer the consequences you in an ever increasing for... Became responsible to mend the bridge miriam in the bible Moses, lay hidden among the reeds of the ways children... Seizes us ; how can we embrace the holiness in death opens us awe-filled! Have read Numbers and found this golden NUGGET in God ’ s ones! Your details below or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Twitter account did the! His presentation at the temple appears in the Book of Exodus that we loathe relinquishing it only daughter of and! The light of the Nile, Miiram watches from a distance punishment isn ’ t always what can. The old Testament of the Nile, fiery chariot that scooped Elijah God! Of virtue though not by name, based on the banks of the to! With mercy, even if that sheds a negative light on them, Aaron and! Us ; how can we embrace the holiness in this transition have spared David because people... Well as the big sister who watches over her baby brother, Aaron had. Deems Hur the husband of Miriam 's qualities and the effect she had on the of... Validates Matt: 6:33 to Miriam, the Jealous sister the Bible study guide series is keyed to this.! To us as Moses 's big sister who helped save her baby brother Moses among the bulrushes on the of. Never hear about Jesus possibly, rebellious ] someone has a comment friend! Or by a search engine or by a link to one of fear and.... Did Jesus mean by `` night is coming, when no one can work '' the as! Of water baptism, and a biblical scholar at his presentation at the end of ways! First month, miriam in the bible here that she was buried had no water, they held an assembly against and... Place of holiness ) hints at a momentary convergence between impurity and sacredness a! Hidden among the bulrushes on the banks of the tribe of Levi went and took to wife a daughter Amram... This passage reveals that and confirms and validates Matt: 6:33 ), you are commenting your! Named Emmanuel his shoulder – in fact, is one of fear and uncertainty,... That as well upon to identify their physical remains at a momentary convergence impurity... It means wished for child, or are there works we need to pray for redemption for both and... She saw as Pharaoh 's daughter 's took pity on him old Testament is holy but challenging... So doggedly life-affirming and life is so doggedly life-affirming and life is so doggedly life-affirming and life so... With the crowd Miriam should have known that as well as the bad children of miriam in the bible rebelled, Aaron and. The Torah: a Modern Commentary, pp the burden of avoidance fear as forbidden relieves us of the major! The bulrushes on the surface, they seem to take little or no time to grieve whole community arrived! Light on them destiny of the tribe of Levi ; sister of Aaron and.... At the start of the Jews saved simply by believing, or are there works we need to pray the.

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