Equally Capable of Sin
S - "Yes, Pharaoh's horses and chariots and riders went into the sea and God turned the waters back on them; but the Israelites walked on dry land right through the middle of the sea. Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine, and all the women followed her with tambourines, dancing. Miriam led them in singing, Sing to God - what a victory! He pitched horse and rider into the sea!" Exodus 15:19-21
O - This passage of scripture details the very last part of the Israelites journey through the Red Sea, following their leader, Moses. We read towards the end about this character Miriam, the prophetess and Aaron's sister, who took a tambourine and led the crowd in singing and dancing - giving praise to God for defeating their enemies and walking their people safely towards the promised land. Scripture gives the impression she was a very influential character as we read how she did, and all the women immediately followed her.
Miriam's influence in this passage is a significant part of who she was, but actually isn't the end of her story. Later on in the book of Number's we read in chapter 12 about how Miriam and her brother Aaron actually began to talk against their leader Moses. Almost instantly the Lord heard their slandering and called them out to the Tend of Meeting. The Lord's anger afflicted Miriam with leprosy - and despite attempts to pray healing over her - the Lord confined her to the outside of the camp for seven days.
Her influence as a leader of people meant she had an immense about of accountability for her actions. Leader's take on a transparent role - living a life exemplary before their people and before God. She was entrusted to lead God's people in celebration at such a crucial moment in history. She was able to share the joy of the Lord with the Israelite people during their fourty-year journey through the wilderness. She played an instrumental role in the deliverance of God's people - and because her sin against God she suffered a punishment that was designed to bring her to repentance.
A - While we might look at a character like Miriam and assure ourselves we would do nothing of the sort, the truth is we are capable of the exact same sin. If we are completely honest with ourselves, there are most certainly times we have spoken against leaders in our lives. Whether they were leaders of the household (parents, grandparents), leaders at school (teachers, substitute teachers), leaders of the country (prime minister, politicians) or maybe even leaders at church that perhaps haven't always made decisions that we completely agree with, all of us are guilty of opposing authority.
Whilst God doesn't call us to agree with every single earthly decision made, he places such a strong emphasis on giving honor to those above and around us. If a woman like Miriam could act in a way that was so displeasing to God, surely we too are capable of sinning, regardless of what we have done for him in the past. As much as discipline hurts, we know it exists to bring us to a place of repentance and reconciliation with the Lord. Hebrews 12:11 says "No disciple seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." In our own lives are we allowing our repentance and humbling before God to produce a harvest of righteousness or do we simple grumble away and turn our backs, bitter about our correction? Job 5:17 says, "BLESSED is the man whom God corrects..."
Despite her wrongdoing, the Lord loved Miriam abundantly, just as he adores us... it is important for us to never forget that "the Lord disciplines those he loves." - Proverbs 3:2
R - Lord, thank you so much for the times where I have fallen short of your glory and you have corrected me, for I understand that continually coming to a place of repentance keeps me reconciled to you. Keep me accountable as a leader, understanding the influence I have over those around me. Thank you so much for times in my life where, just like Miriam, you are using me to influence others at a crucial point in your divine plan for humanity. Help me to experience the joy that comes from receiving your forgiveness. Amen.
Created almost 3 years ago
