Extraordinary Women the Bible 40 of 40 Miriam was, indeed, an extraordinary woman. We do not get her full life story, but we catch glimpses of her throughout her lifetime. The glimpses we get can teach us many important lessons. For the most part, they are lessons on how to live but, like all of us, Miriam was not perfect. As we will see, there was a time when she stumbled in her walk with the Lord. And yet, even in that, we can learn much from this woman whom God decided to include in His inspired Word. Let us see what we can glean from the life of Miriam that we can apply to our own lives.
Lesson 3 Miriam 41 1. Read Numbers 26:59. Who were the members of Miriam s family? Read Exodus 1. 2. The Jewish people were in bondage in Egypt. Describe the situation regarding Hebrew baby boys during this time. 3. What did the two Hebrew midwives decide to do in response to the king s command regarding baby boys? a. How did God deal with them as a result of their stand for righteousness?
Extraordinary Women the Bible 42 of 42 Read Exodus 2:1 10. 4. What did Miriam s mother do with her baby when he was born? a. Perhaps Miriam knew what the midwives had done and how God dealt with them. And then she saw her mother defy the command of Pharaoh. What do you think Miriam learned from this? b. Look up the following verses and write out what God s Word teaches about obeying the authorities of the land. Romans 13:1 Titus 3:1
Lesson 3 Miriam 43 1 Peter 2:13 14 c. Read the following verses. When is it justifiable to disobey governing authorities? Daniel 3 Daniel 6:11-21 Matthew 2:7-12 Acts 4:18-21 Acts 5:27-29
Extraordinary Women the Bible 44 of 44 5. How does God use Miriam in the scenario that is played out in these verses? a. As you observe all that Miriam does, what personality traits do you see in young Miriam s life? PERSONAL: Have you ever been in the same position as the two midwives and the mother of Moses having to choose what to do when someone in authority over you is telling you to do something wrong? Perhaps you were afraid of losing a job, afraid of a husband leaving a marriage, afraid of a child running away from home, or (fill in the blank). What did you do? Can you make the firm decision now to follow God no matter how difficult it might be to do so? What does it indicate when you choose to obey man rather than God?
Lesson 3 Miriam 45 We glimpse Miriam again in Exodus 15, when the children of Israel had just crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and God destroyed the Egyptians who were chasing after them. Moses had told the people in Exodus 14:13 to stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord After experiencing this, Moses and the people sang a song to the Lord. It is the first psalm we have recorded in the Bible. Read Exodus 15:20 22. 6. How does verse 20 describe Miriam? a. What might this indicate about her spiritual life? 7. Describe what Miriam was doing at this time.
Extraordinary Women the Bible 46 of 46 PERSONAL: What does Ephesians 5:19 20 tell us we should be doing as we live a Spirit-filled life? Can you think of a recent time that you have had occasion to sing praises to God for what He has done in your life? We next find Miriam in Numbers 12. In this section of Scripture, we see a snapshot of her walking in the flesh rather than walking in the Spirit proving that, just like each of us, she is subject to failure. After all, no one is good but One, that is, God. (Matthew 19:17) Read Numbers 12. 8. Explain what Miriam, along with her brother Aaron, did at this time. a. Read Proverbs 6:16 19. Can you find what Miriam and Aaron did that was so offensive to God; that aroused His anger against them?
Lesson 3 Miriam 47 b. How did Moses defend himself and his authority? c. How did the Lord defend Moses? d. What can you learn from Psalm 25 about this? 9. In Numbers 12:6 8, explain how God usually spoke to prophets versus how He spoke to Moses. a. What would this indicate about God s relationship to Moses?
Extraordinary Women the Bible 48 of 48 10. What happened to Miriam as a result of this rebellion against Moses? a. Why do you think only Miriam was punished and not Aaron also? 11. Describe the reactions of the two brothers to Miriam being struck with leprosy. a. How did God answer Moses prayer for Miriam?
Lesson 3 Miriam 49 b. What do you suppose Miriam s mindset was as she waited outside the camp for seven days? c. What are we to remember in the midst of God s chastening? (Hebrews 12:6) d. What do the following verses reveal about God and His willingness to forgive? Psalm 103:2 3 Psalm 103:11 12 Micah 7:18 1 John 1:9
Extraordinary Women the Bible 50 of 50 PERSONAL: Can you think of a wrong attitude you have about someone in leadership whom you may resent or be jealous of? Do you undermine their authority by gossip or slander? What action will you take to correct this? 12. The following verses tell us how we should relate to each other in the family of God. What attitudes should we have as leaders and as those under the leadership of others? Romans 12:10 Galatians 5:26 Ephesians 5:21 Philippians 2:3 4
Lesson 3 Miriam 51 Philippians 4:2 1 Peter 5:1 4 13. Was Miriam influential? Did God consider her important? (Micah 6:4) CHALLENGE: What one thing was most memorable from the life of Miriam, and why is it significant to you? How do you think God would like to use this in your life? Choose one verse from those covered in this study and memorize it.
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