Aaron and Miriam by Drew Suttles
Drew Suttles of the Quitman church of Christ and the "Weathering the Storm" Podcast writes this great article for us.
God’s Introduction
As we approach the breathtaking Book of Exodus, we are introduced to a wonderful family. God blessed the union of Amram and Jochebed with three wonderful children who would grow up to be wonderful servants for the Lord: Moses (deliver, leader, lawgiver), Aaron (“mouthpiece” for Moses, high priest), and Miriam (prophetess). God equipped Aaron to be Moses’ “spokesman” to the people (Exo. 4:10-17; Exo. 7:1). As for Miriam, she occupies a “prominent place among the unmarried women of the Bible” as she was “prophetess, singer, and patriot” (Lundholm, 49).
Our focus today is on Aaron and Miriam who served as important vessels to aid Moses in delivering the people of God from Egyptian bondage.
Their Identification
Aaron and Miriam both possessed wonderful qualities and did some wonderful things; however, they were human and made mistakes. Aaron was inspired of God to speak and was blessed with an incredible ability to convey God’s truth to others (Exo. 4:15-16; cf. Jer. 1:9; 2 Sam. 23:2; Psa. 106:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; Heb. 5:4). He helped Moses in leading the Israelites out of Egypt and also helped him navigate through the wilderness. Aaron also served as high priest (Exo. 28:1-4). In this manner, and the fact that he was a spokesman for God, Aaron was a type of Christ. While the two areas mentioned were positive, Aaron did have a very negative moment in which he succumbed to the pressure of the people orchestrating the creation of a golden calf (Exo. 32:1-6).
Miriam first comes on the scene in a positive light as she watched over the baby Moses who was sent down the Nile river in an ark of bulrushes. When the princess drew Moses out of the water, she called for a handmaid. Miriam seized the opportunity and took him back to their mother to be weaned. Later, as God’s people were delivered from Egyptian bondage, she composed a beautiful song that is “unsurpassed in its grandeur and beauty” (Exo. 15:20-21) (Lundholm, 53). Unfortunately, like Aaron, she did have a bad moment in which there were negative consequences for her actions. She grew envious of the authority of Moses and did not approve of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. The Lord struck her with leprosy for her behavior (Num. 12:1-15). Aaron asked Moses to intercede on her behalf and she was healed of the dreaded disease.
Our Impression
While there are several impressions we could glean from the lives of Aaron and Miriam, we want to discuss three in particular:
#1. Aaron and Miriam used the opportunities and abilities God gave them to glorify and serve Him. Many times, we focus on our weaknesses instead of our strengths. These used what God gave them and made the most of their time, abilities, and opportunities. You and I must do the same (Eph. 5:16-17).
#2. God can and will use anyone to bring about His purpose. If He can use Aaron, Miriam, and Moses, he can use you! Don’t think that you are useless in the hands of the God Who can do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20-21).
#3. We, like Aaron and Miriam, stand in need of the grace of God. Aaron and Miriam, while they did some positive things, failed Him in the events aforementioned. You and I are also guilty and stand in need of God’s amazing grace (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-8; Tit. 2:11-12).
Works Cited
Whyte, Alexander. Amg Concise Bible Characters (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2010). Logos Bible Software. Accessed February 9th, 2024.
Lundholm, Algot Theodor. Women of the Bible. “Miriam: Singer, Sister, and Patriot.” Pg. 48-55. Philadelphia, PA. 1948. Print.
Thank you to brother Suttles for this excellent article!