Steven A. Bush - June 18, 2023
Sibling Rivalry and God's Redemption
Moses was blessed to have two devout siblings, his brother Aaron and sister, Miriam. Aaron was the one God chose to serve beside Moses when he went before Pharaoh to gain the release of God's enslaved people. Moses leaned on his older brother who excelled as a spokesman. It was Miriam who watched her little brother's basket-boat float along the Nile to where Pharaoh's daughter bathed. And once the princess sought to adopt the Hebrew boy, it was Miriam who, cleverly suggested Moses' own mother to be his nanny-nurse. All three siblings were from the priestly tribe of Levi. But there'd still come a time when Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses, particularly because he'd chosen a woman from Cush (ancient Ethiopia) to be his wife. God became angry with the two for recoiling against Moses' leadership and He struck Miriam with leprosy. But Moses cried out to God, fervently seeking His mercy. God indeed answered. Miriam was healed, forgiven, and restored. As a Levitical prophetess, it was Miriam who led Israel in their Red Sea victory celebration, beating her tambourine while dancing before the Lord in exuberant worship. Of course the ultimate payment for her sin, Aaron's sin, Moses' sin, and the sins of us all came from Jesus on His bloody cross. And yes, that cross-borne emancipation is far better than the one from Egypt and it deserves celebrating with the same exuberance as Miriam demonstrated, so long long ago...
Scripture References: Numbers 12:1-16, Exodus 15:19-21, Hebrews 11:23-25, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-29, James 1:26, Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 12:36-37, 1 Peter 1:17-21, Revelation 7:9-12