IMITATE THEIR FAITH/MIRIAM

 The Bible account does not name the child, but there can be little doubt as to her identity. She was Miriam, the oldest offspring of Amram and Jochebed, Hebrew slaves in the land of Egypt. (Numbers 26:59) Her baby brother would later be named Moses. Aaron, the baby's older brother, was three and this time. It is not certain how Miriam was, but it seems reasonable to suggest that she was under ten years of age.

Miriam lived in dark times. The Egyptians saw her people, the Hebrews, as a great threat, so they enslave and oppressed them. When the slaves kept thriving and growing in number, the fearful Egyptians resorted to an even more vicious tactic. Pharaoh ordered that all male babies of the Hebrews be killed off at birth. Miriam surely knew of the faith shown by two midwives Shiphrah and Puah, who quietly defied the order. -EXODUS 1:8-22.

Miriam saw the faith of her parents as well. After the birth of this beautiful third child, Amram and Jochebed kept him hidden for the first three months of his life. They did not let a morbid fear of the king's order push them into getting rid of their child. (Hebrews 11:23) But it is hard thing to hide a baby and soon they faced an agonizing choice. Jochebed had to conceal the child and leave him where someone might find him, someone who could protect him and raise him. Imagine the mother's fervent prayers as she fashioned a basket of reeds, coated it with bitumen and pitch to keep it watertight, and she left her beloved child in the Nile River! No doubt she told Miriam to stay and watch what would happen. - EXODUS 2:1-4. 

Next time: Miriam the Rescuer

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