Miriam (37 page)

Though first introduced to us as the “sister who stood at a distance” when Moses was rescued by Pharaoh's daughter, Miriam is mentioned by name only six times in Scripture. Her influence over Israel before and after the Exodus, however, was profound.

Miriam's relationship with God was surely unique in a time when El Shaddai had been silent since the days of the Patriarchs. She holds two “first” designations in Scripture. One as the first prophetess mentioned in God's Word and also as the first to practice dance as a form of worship. Scripture affirms that Miriam, though not perfect, was wholly committed to God from early childhood until the day she died in the wilderness.

In preparing to write about the ten plagues, studying the scientific view was vital to develop Pharaoh's doubts. Many scholars—even biblical scholars—deny the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, deem the plagues impossible, and disallow the historical Exodus. For those folks, no evidence will suffice; however, I discovered a very interesting book,
The Miracles of Exodus: A Scientist's Discovery of the Extraordinary Natural Causes of the Biblical Stories,
by Colin Humphreys (a British physicist).

Sir Humphreys included fascinating information and detail in his studies. Some I agreed with, some I did not. However, his scientific explanations for the plagues and his rationale for their seasons and pacing were extremely helpful in developing a believable timeline. Did the Nile turn to blood—real, organic blood—or was it some type of slimy red algae? I personally believe it was blood (because the Bible says it was blood), but Pharaoh may have doubted it was blood and explained it away with a scientific explanation—as many do today.

Sir Humphreys readily admitted science too often sought to disprove faith, but his book consistently proved the Bible correct in its assertions. A refreshing and interesting read.

I've lost count of how many times I read Exodus 1–15 while writing this novel, but one day Exodus 3 rocked my world. Moses had gone to check out the burning bush on Mount Horeb, and God had just revealed his name,
Yahweh.
The study note on Exodus 3:14 in
The Jewish Study Bible
gave a slightly different interpretation of I AM: “God first tells Moses its meaning:
Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh
…meaning ‘My nature will become evident from My actions.' ”

I've heard Yahweh defined as, “I AM that I AM,” but this idea of God's nature being proven by His actions formed the crux of Miriam's internal struggle. For eighty-six years, God had acted quietly, spoken only in dreams, and only to her. He was manageable if not predictable.

Then He suddenly begins shouting through plagues? What's up with that?

Based only on the first three plagues—before the distinction between Egypt and Goshen was made, when there was no clean water, frogs were hopping, gnats were biting—what would you have thought of Yahweh's nature? Would you have trusted Him, or would you have feared such a God? Only after His fierce majesty was displayed did Yahweh show His great love for the Israelites. That's what we find in the Bible we hold in our hands today. Only after we see God's fierce holiness through the Old Testament Law can we fully appreciate Jesus's great love through grace in the New Testament.

It is my prayer that you, dear reader, will come to know Yahweh—intimately, personally, and fully—and become, as Miriam was, captivated by a God you can't understand that will do things you know are impossible.

1.
When Miriam is plagued by troubling dreams, her first response is fear that El Shaddai will inflict suffering on her family. What do these fears reveal about Miriam's concept of El Shaddai's character? In what ways were her fears realized? In what ways were they misperceptions? Do similar fears lurk in your mind? How can Miriam's experience ease your fears?

2.
A plateau slave remarks to Miriam, “If this is what it means to be
chosen
by your God, I'd rather serve Anubis and take my chances in Egypt's afterlife.” Do we know from Scripture that some Israelites embraced Egypt's foreign gods or is this content purely fiction? How is the slave's attitude similar to those embittered toward God in today's culture—and how can a Christ-follower respond?

3.
When Moses returns to Egypt, he reveals El Shaddai's “secret name”—Yahweh—which means, “My nature will become evident by My actions.” (
The Jewish Study Bible,
Oxford Press, 2003). How does this definition expand your understanding of God's name? What have you learned of His nature through His work in
your
life?

4.
Why do you think Yahweh allowed the first three plagues to affect the Hebrews as well as the Egyptians—without giving any explanation? If you went to church and suddenly frogs appeared from every corner and crevice, covering the floor, the chairs/pews, and the altar after the sermon and during the final song—with no explanation from the leadership—what would you think? Would you immediately assume it was judgment for sin? What would be your response?

5.
When Prince Kopshef killed Taliah's abba, Putiel, Moses said the prince hated Putiel because he was like a
mirror
to Kopshef—Putiel's righteous acts
reflecting
the exact opposite of Kopshef's worst traits. Are there people in your life who are
mirrors
? What traits do they reflect in you—good or bad—that you might not see without them in your life? Do you humbly learn from them, or does pride cause bitterness to harm the relationship?

6.
On the day of Taliah's wedding, Miriam advises her about Eleazar, “Love him as he is, and let Yahweh change him.” Was this good advice for biblical-era marriages? Is it good advice for married couples today? Why or why not?

7.
Moses wouldn't have known how many plagues Yahweh would visit upon Egypt, but he knew from the time he journeyed from Midian that the last plague would cost Pharaoh his firstborn sons (Exodus 4:22–23). Do you think that knowledge helped, hindered, or had no effect on the individual experience of each plague? Do you think knowing the outcome of some of your hardships would help, hinder, or have no effect on your experiences?

8.
When Miriam is on her way to treat Pharaoh's boils, she and Eleazar have a serious conversation about why Yahweh has allowed terrible things to happen to the people they love. Miriam says, “I don't deny Yahweh lets bad things happen. We simply disagree on
why.
” Did this discussion clarify or muddy your views on why God allows bad things to happen to good people? Why?

9.
When Eleazar is badly beaten by Kopshef, Miriam breaks down and asks Moses, “How can we know when Yahweh will protect us and when He'll welcome tragedy into our house? Why did He protect Eleazar from the hail and then allow this?” Many people give up praying for God's protection or healing, taking a fatalistic view of God's will. What would you tell Miriam if she asked you, “Should we pray for protection? Should we pray for healing?” Why would you give such advice?

10.
Miriam struggles with her perceived changes in God, but Moses insists that it's not Yahweh who has changed but rather Miriam's
knowledge
of Him. Miriam is willing to agree but is left with the very real complexities of how the new knowledge changes her daily relationship with God. As God's work in your life reveals new aspects of His nature and character, how do you wrestle with the sometimes confusing feelings that arise?

11.
Taliah grew timid when she was faced with asking Masud's father for the third time to consider circumcision (to save Masud from the plague of firstborns), but Miriam used two reminders to displace Taliah's shyness. 1) She reminded her that life and death were at stake, and 2) that Taliah had been passionate about the children's education—could she be any less passionate about their eternity? How does Miriam's wisdom transfer to sharing your faith today? Share a time when you were too shy to voice your beliefs with someone who needed that Lifeline. Share a time when you overcame timidity with boldness.

12.
Eleazar asks Moses and Miriam if Mosi—as an uncircumcised foreigner—can believe in Yahweh and enter paradise with Abraham in the afterlife. Did anything surprise you about Moses's or Miriam's answers? What similarities do you see between Mosi's situation and the thief's circumstance on the cross in Luke 23:39–43?

13.
While Eleazar was worried about getting weapons from the Egyptians, Moses was planning for Israel's defense against desert tribes in the wilderness. Eleazar described this as the “difference between wavering doubt and steadfast faith.” Is there a circumstance in your life in which you're acting more like Eleazar (wavering doubt—focusing on the impossible immediate problem) or Moses (steadfast faith—focusing on the issues that will arise
after
God's faithfulness)?

14.
What was most surprising about the (fictional representation of) preparation for the Exodus? Are there questions in your mind still left unexplored? What part of the journey seemed most daunting—the number of people, the terrain, limited provisions?

15.
Though Yahweh had promised their deliverance, Israel still fled in terror when Pharaoh's army pursued them through the Red Sea. Miriam acknowledged that
“faith was a battle, its battlefield the mind.”
In what ways did she fight fear, and how can you use some of her tactics on your own battlefield of the mind?

16.
Throughout the story, God tests each character—and proves Himself—at the core of each of their identities: Miriam as a prophetess and leader of Israel, Eleazar as a military slave, and Taliah as someone who values her intellect above all else. At what point in the story did each of these characters realize Yahweh met them at the core of their personhood? What do you consider “the core of your identity”? In what ways has God tested you there? How has He proved His faithfulness to you there?