Miriam Snapshots of a Leader Exod 2 1

Miriam: Snapshots of a Leader Exod 2. 1 -15; 15. 20 -21; Num 12

Gender Issues in the Church Reuther: In Germany, France, Norway and Ireland, women make up 60 -65% of active churchgoers and in Korea, India, and the Philippines, they constitute 65 -70% of congregations.

Gender Issues in the Church Weekly Church attendance in the USA (ABC News): In General (M/F) = 32/44% Catholic (M/F) = 26/49% Protestant = 42/50%

Micah 6: 4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, From the house of bondage, I redeemed you. I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam. The verb sent > is often used as a word to commission a prophet or a leader

His Sister: Exod 2. 1 -10 Exod 2. 4 "His sister stationed herself at a distance, to see what would be done to him.

His Sister: Exod 2. 1 -10 Exod 2. 7 "His sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and call a woman, a nurse from the Hebrews so that she would nurse the child for you? "

His Sister: Exod 2. 1 -10 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go!" So the young woman went and called the mother of the child. "

The Sister: Exod 2. 1 -10 Naming: "his sister, " "the young woman" remains nameless in this story. The story is about Moses An Ironic twist.

Dancing Prophetess: Exod 15. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, sister of Aaron took up a tambourine in her hand all the women with tambourines and dancing went after her.

Dancing Prophetess: Exod 15. 20 Now Miriam answered them: Sing to Yahweh For He has risen indeed Horse and rider, He hurled into the Sea.

Dancing Prophetess: Exod 15. 20 Here Miriam is named! Sister of Aaron Prophetess Worship – "answer, " tambourine, dance.

Jealousy & Envy: Num 12. 1 Now Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had indeed married a Cushite woman.

Jealousy & Envy: Num 12. 10 a When the cloud departed from over the Tent, hinneh Miriam was stricken with snowwhite scales. .

Jealousy & Envy: Num 12. 1, 10 Who is this Cushite/Ethiopian woman? (An early Jewish tradition) What happened to the Midianite Zipporah? (Exod 2. 15 b-22; 4. 24 -26; 18. 1 -7) The verbal form of "speak against" is a feminine plural, which may imply that Miriam was primary and Aaron secondary.

Cushite Woman & 18 Dynasty Egypt (15701320 B. C. ) • Queen Hatshepsut • Queen Tiye, mother of Akhenanten • Queen Nefertiti, wife of Akhenanten

Jealousy & Envy

Jealousy & Envy begins with the perception of an unfavorable difference in advantage. Envious person tends to think in terms of class and rank. Envy can have an affective response, with a contagious result. Envy can cause malicious intentions.

General Flow of Num 12: 1 -5 Complaint of Miriam. . . and Aaron Num 12: 6 -8 Yahweh’s Response – “. . . your prophets of Yahweh” – “. . . my servant Moses; he is entrusted with all my house. ” Num 12: 9 -15 Miriam becomes white & Moses intercedes so that Miriam is healed Num 12. 16 from Hazeroth in the Wilderness of Paran

Spiritual Envy: Num 12. 2 And they said, "Has Yahweh indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also? " But Yahweh heard.

Spiritual Envy: Num 12. 4 Then Yahweh suddenly said to Moses and to Aaron and to Miriam, " Come out, the three of you to the Tent of Meeting" So the three of them went out.

Spiritual Envy: Num 12. 5 Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent of and called to Aaron and Miriam. So the two of them came forward.

Spiritual Envy: Num 12. 8 b Why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Spiritual Envy Recognize that it is God that gives spiritual gifts, so there is no "unfavorable advantage" in normal terms. If ministries and gifts are to equip and strengthen the community of God then class or rank issues should be non-issues. The affective response is not necessary nor actions that come from malicious intention.