The Unlimited Nature in Miriam
In ancient Israel, women were considered to be members of the "family of faith".
As such, they could enter into most of the areas of worship.
The Law directed all men to appear before the Lord three times a year.
Apparently the women went with them on some occasions, but they were not required to go, may be, because of their important duties as wives and mothers.
For instance, Hannah went to Shiloh with her husband and asked the Lord for a son (I Samuel 1:3-18).
As head of the family, the husband or father presented the sacrifices and offerings on behalf of the entire family.
But the wife might also be present.
Women attended the Feast of Tabernacles, the yearly Feast of the Lord, and the Festival of the New Moon.
One sacrifice that only the women gave to the Lord was offered after the birth of a child.
Several Old Testament women were famous for their faith thereby bearing witness to the unlimited nature of women, and Miriam is among them.
Apart from being the older sister of Moses, Miriam was a remarkable woman.
She saved Moses' life when Pharaoh gave an order that every male child born to an Israelite should be killed.
The baby Moses' life was in danger, so his mother "took for him an ark of bulrushes...
and put the child in it; and she laid the ark in the reed bushes by the river's edge" (Exodus 2:3, 4-7).
This was a perilous moment for Moses, but his courageous older sister MIRIAM, even though a child at the time, stayed nearby, to watch what would be done to him.
When Miriam saw Pharaoh's daughter rescue Moses, she immediately presented a plan of action.
Miriam arranged for Moses' mother to nurse him.
Thus Miriam's quick, courageous action saved Moses.
We owe the woman Miriam a lot.
What would the world be like today had we not had the ministry of Moses? Apart from helping to save the life of Moses, Miriam was also a worship leader and a Prophetess.
The Bible told us that after Pharaoh's army was drowned in the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites were safely kept in the desert, a great worship-celebration took place.
It was reported that 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.
The praise-music ministry is best led by those with a prophetic anointing upon their life.
This was true of Miriam.
She had a lovely prophetic and musical gift that made her an ideal praise-leader and prophetess.
Like David some 500 years later, she sang the song of the Spirit.
Her song was a prophetic song.
Her worship ministry was the result of the prophetic anointing that was upon her.
Other Old Testament women were also used in the music ministry and worship.
In King David's time, the Bible stated that God gave to Heman three daughters and all these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order.
David established a divine order of praise and worship for the people of God that extends down even to the New Testament Church.
Hence, it is still right that women should participate in praise, worship and music ministry as did Miriam and the daughters of Heman.
More so, Miriam served as a leader with Moses and Aaron.
In Micah 6:4, her name was mentioned right along with Moses and Aaron as one of the trinity that delivered and led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.
This illustration shows the unlimitedness - authoritative, highly influential leadership role - of women, as exhibited by Miriam.
However, it is to be pointed out also that Miriam acted presumptuously, just like Aaron and King Saul who illustrate a dangerous trap into which leaders can fall.
Leaders can try to exercise authority beyond their office and anointing.
Both women and men must be aware that exercising leadership authority can lead to arrogance and pride which can destroy.
In what appears to be a racist motive, Miriam wrongfully challenged Moses' authority, and paid dearly for her action.
Every leader, man or woman, needs to respect the limits of their ministry.
They should not intrude presumptuously into areas for which they do not have responsibility.
Miriam made her mistakes just as other great leaders.
Like Moses and David, she was severely disciplined, and thus found forgiveness and restoration to the fellowship of the people of God.
As such, they could enter into most of the areas of worship.
The Law directed all men to appear before the Lord three times a year.
Apparently the women went with them on some occasions, but they were not required to go, may be, because of their important duties as wives and mothers.
For instance, Hannah went to Shiloh with her husband and asked the Lord for a son (I Samuel 1:3-18).
As head of the family, the husband or father presented the sacrifices and offerings on behalf of the entire family.
But the wife might also be present.
Women attended the Feast of Tabernacles, the yearly Feast of the Lord, and the Festival of the New Moon.
One sacrifice that only the women gave to the Lord was offered after the birth of a child.
Several Old Testament women were famous for their faith thereby bearing witness to the unlimited nature of women, and Miriam is among them.
Apart from being the older sister of Moses, Miriam was a remarkable woman.
She saved Moses' life when Pharaoh gave an order that every male child born to an Israelite should be killed.
The baby Moses' life was in danger, so his mother "took for him an ark of bulrushes...
and put the child in it; and she laid the ark in the reed bushes by the river's edge" (Exodus 2:3, 4-7).
This was a perilous moment for Moses, but his courageous older sister MIRIAM, even though a child at the time, stayed nearby, to watch what would be done to him.
When Miriam saw Pharaoh's daughter rescue Moses, she immediately presented a plan of action.
Miriam arranged for Moses' mother to nurse him.
Thus Miriam's quick, courageous action saved Moses.
We owe the woman Miriam a lot.
What would the world be like today had we not had the ministry of Moses? Apart from helping to save the life of Moses, Miriam was also a worship leader and a Prophetess.
The Bible told us that after Pharaoh's army was drowned in the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites were safely kept in the desert, a great worship-celebration took place.
It was reported that 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.
The praise-music ministry is best led by those with a prophetic anointing upon their life.
This was true of Miriam.
She had a lovely prophetic and musical gift that made her an ideal praise-leader and prophetess.
Like David some 500 years later, she sang the song of the Spirit.
Her song was a prophetic song.
Her worship ministry was the result of the prophetic anointing that was upon her.
Other Old Testament women were also used in the music ministry and worship.
In King David's time, the Bible stated that God gave to Heman three daughters and all these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order.
David established a divine order of praise and worship for the people of God that extends down even to the New Testament Church.
Hence, it is still right that women should participate in praise, worship and music ministry as did Miriam and the daughters of Heman.
More so, Miriam served as a leader with Moses and Aaron.
In Micah 6:4, her name was mentioned right along with Moses and Aaron as one of the trinity that delivered and led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.
This illustration shows the unlimitedness - authoritative, highly influential leadership role - of women, as exhibited by Miriam.
However, it is to be pointed out also that Miriam acted presumptuously, just like Aaron and King Saul who illustrate a dangerous trap into which leaders can fall.
Leaders can try to exercise authority beyond their office and anointing.
Both women and men must be aware that exercising leadership authority can lead to arrogance and pride which can destroy.
In what appears to be a racist motive, Miriam wrongfully challenged Moses' authority, and paid dearly for her action.
Every leader, man or woman, needs to respect the limits of their ministry.
They should not intrude presumptuously into areas for which they do not have responsibility.
Miriam made her mistakes just as other great leaders.
Like Moses and David, she was severely disciplined, and thus found forgiveness and restoration to the fellowship of the people of God.
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