 Exodus 2:1-10, 15:20-21, Numbers 12:1-15
A woman of many talents, Mariam was brave even as a girl when she followed her baby brother Moses’s basket, then dared approach the Pharaoh’s daughter. Did she care that much for the infant or was she an obedient daughter, doing as her mother commanded? Either way, she had courage. In the text, she’s called a prophet. She led the women in singing her poetic praise song and even in dancing for joy after they passed through the sea on dry ground. But then pride or prejudice struck. She turned against her dear brother, possibly looking down on him because of the race of his wife. Not nice! Or maybe it was jealousy over his position or a recent decision she didn’t agree with. Surprising turn—she and Aaron grumbled, Has the Lord spoken only through Moses, hasn’t he spoken through us? Struck with leprosy, she was sent to solitary confinement outside the camp for seven days. Probably they were lonely, scary days, waiting and wondering, pondering her guilt, feeling shame. And the dark, lonely nights were likely sleepless. Her skin must have looked and smelled terrible too, and as a woman, I would be devastated by that. I mean, we hate getting a big pimple, but leprosy….yikes. But then God healed her, as He heals us from our ugly sins. Praise Him! What are your thoughts on Miriam? Hope you have a good week, and let me know if I can pray for you! Blessings, Janet
0 Comments
 The Love of Two Mothers: Jochebed and Pharaoh’s Daughter
Exodus 2:1-10 Poor Jochebed. She was pregnant during a genocide of her people. With babies being thrown into a crocodile-infested river due to the order of a Pharaoh, her tiny son, Moses, would be doomed. Imagine the stress of that pregnancy, the fear mingled with pain during the birth. Imagine the terror clawing in her chest as she tried to hide her sweet newborn and stifle his gusty cries. Until, at last, there was no possible way to conceal him. Or to save him. But she couldn’t just throw her child into the murky water and watch him sink. There had to be another way. It wasn’t the best idea, maybe, but it was all she had. So she weaved together a basket and did what she could to make it waterproof. She followed the letter of the law, but not the spirit, then she set her son in the currents. I imagine she sobbed and prayed. Hard. I would. Our children’s lives are often out of our control. They’re floating away from us, into danger, and we have no idea how to save them. And we moms really want to rescue them, no matter their age. But sometimes we have to let them drift away on the tides with only our prayers. Let go, let God, as difficult as that is. Then came Pharaoh’s daughter. Bathing with her guards around her, perhaps watching for those crocs, a child float’s up. And she has compassion. She feels sorry for the baby. Defying her family and likely the laws of her county, she adopts a foreigner’s infant and loves him as her own. Sometimes, a kind soul can stand in the gap when we can’t be there for our kids. Other times, we can be that person and help someone else’s child. I pray for wisdom to make the right choice. Any thoughts on these mothers? I'd love to hear from you! |
Stay in the Loop!
For News & Giveaways Click Subscribe Button! Under the Southern SunJanet W. Ferguson
|
RSS Feed