Study together · The Cast

Miriam

The sister who watched the river and led the song by the sea.

The story

1. Watching by the Nile Exod 2:4-8

   A sister stands at a distance to see what happens to the baby, then offers Pharaoh's daughter a Hebrew nurse.

2. Song at the sea Exod 15:20-21

   Called a prophetess, she leads the women with tambourines and dancing in praise to the LORD.

3. Speaking against Moses Num 12:1-15

   She and Aaron challenge Moses. She is struck with leprosy, Moses prays, and she is shut out of the camp seven days while Israel waits.

4. Death at Kadesh Num 20:1

   She dies in the wilderness of Zin and is buried there, before Israel reaches the land.

Key verses

“Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” Exodus 15:21 (ESV)

Read together: Exod 2:4-8 · Exod 15:20-21 · Num 12:1-15 · Num 20:1

Questions to sit with

1. Where does praise for God's rescue come easily to you, and where does comparison creep in?
2. What does it mean to you that the whole camp waited for Miriam?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.