Miriam the Patient Sister

 Jochebed nursed and cared for the baby. We may well imagine how attached Miriam became to the brother she had helped to save. Perhaps she helped him learn to speak and was thrilled when he first spoke the name of his God, Jehovah. When the child grew older, the time came to take him to Pharaoh's daughter.  (Exodus 2:10) The separation was surely painful for the entire family. How eager Miriam must have been to see Moses, as Pharaoh's daughter named him, would turn out when he became a man! Would he maintain his love for Jehovah as he grew up among Egyptian royalty?

In time the answer became clear. Miriam's heart doubtless swelled with pride as she learned that her little brother grew up to be a man who chose to serve his God rather than avail himself of the opportunities offered him by the royal house of Pharaoh! When Moses was 40 years old, he took a stand for his people. He killed an Egyptian for a abusing a Hebrew slave. In danger of losing his life, Moses fled Egypt. - EXODUS 2:11-15; ACTS 7:23-39; HEBREWS 11:24-26.

Miriam may have heard no more from her brother for the next four decades while he lived in obscurity in far-off Midian, herding sheep. (Exodus 3:1; Acts 7:29, 30) As Miriam patiently endured old age, she saw the suffering of her people steadily grow worse. 

Next time: Miriam the Prophetess 

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