Four Biblical Marys

Here are two reflections about Miriam:


1) Miriam's vision as a leader started early -- way back by the river Nile as she peered through the rushes, watching and waiting -- for salvation. Miriam was part of a Trinity of women sent to save Moses from death, deliverers of the Deliverer. At one end, Miriam's mother, who let him go in a basket down the Nile River. At the other end, there is Pharoah's daughter, waiting to catch him with surprising compassion. In the middle there is Miriam, the mediator between all these people, the one who watched and waited. What did she see?

They say that Moses had visions of God -- in the burning bush and on the mountain of God. But Miriam too saw God, not burning bright, but in even more surprising ways ... in the face of a mother letting go of her child, in the face of an enemy willing to save one not her own.

In some ways this is an even more fearsome sight. Later on it will be the women who see God in a manger and on a cross. Some of them are named Mary.

Prayer: God of vision, help me to see you hidden in the face of a mother, a child, a servant, an enemy. Give me a vision to see your salvation in unexpected people and places, so that I might hope in you, and pass that hope along to others.

2) Miriam teaches us that there are times when singing and dancing are not optional. By the Red Sea, when we have just escaped by the skin of our teeth, is just one such time. It is not a time for exuberant praise, for not being prim and proper, not caring what others may think of you. There are times when it is necessary to raise our hands and hearts and voices -- when we have been to the edge and back, when our heart is still beating from the danger.

Paradoxically, singing is most necessary at times both of great rejoicing and great sorrow. A man wrote into our local newspaper once long ago that when his little daughter became ill, he no longer knew how to pray. But he could sing. So he sang. Singing was not optional.

On the other side of the Red Sea, on this side of the grave, whether mourning or rejoicing, singing is not optional. Miriam raised her voice to the God who delivers us, and she calls us to this same boldness.

Prayer: God of high emotion, make me unafraid to express my passion before you. Let me not hide the depths of my love or sorrow. Give me courage to call others to sing and dance as well, that in unity and in harmony we may cry out our lament and praise, and find strength in you.

P.S. My sister, who is a graphic designer, is going to design some "logos" for each of the Marys.

P.S.S. I'd like to write one more "Miriam," -- as the first "uppity woman". then on to the mother of our Lord.

I would appreciate feedback.

this is harder than I thought.

Four Biblical Marys

During Lent, we performed weekly dramas called "The Women of Calvary". I got about eight awesome women to commit to taking parts (and a few men in supporting roles too). Afterwards, I wanted to thank them by buying them some kind of devotional book about women in the Bible. Not a massive tome like Edith Deen's Women of the Bible, or Robert Ellsburg's book on women saints. Just a little pocket devotional with some information about a few of the women in the Bible, some prayers, maybe some artistic renderings, some creative reflections. That's what I was looking for.

I couldn't find anything like that. I know, there's Liz Curtis Higg's book Bad Girls of the Bible -- and that the women might find that amusing. But that's not exactly what I was looking for either. I think the Zondervan has a big book of devotions about women of the Bible too. I haven't seen it around lately, though.

So I decided to try to write something myself. I wanted to call it: Four Biblical Marys.

I haven't started it yet.

I'd like to work on it, from time to time, in this space. And I'd be interested in feedback from those of you who read this from time to time.

The first Biblical Mary is Miriam, the sister of Moses. Now I know, Miriam is not really a Mary. But all of the Marys in the New Testament, famous or obscure, mothers or disciples -- are really "Miriam." Miriam is the namesake and model of them all. Mary is the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew "Miriam". It's possible that Mary seems to be such a popular name in the new testament (causing actual confusion among readers in some cases) because Miriam is such a popular and important figure in the Old Testament. She is, in some ways, larger than life -- standing alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron and leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land.

We first encounter Miriam as a girl. She is instrumental in saving her brother as a baby. She hides in the weeds as Pharoah's daughter discovers him and offers her own mother as a nurse for the baby. She is quick-witted and clever, thinking on her feet. She also leads the women of Israel in joyous song on the banks of the Red Sea. Some scholars think that Moses' song at the Red Sea really belongs to Miriam: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." Miriam is also famous challenging Moses' authority, along with her brother Aaron. She alone is punished for her impudence. God gives her a skin disease and banishes her from the community for seven days. She also dies before entering the promised land. But so do Moses and Aaron. In each case, the Lord's chosen leaders are barred from crossing over into Canaan.

What do you think? This would just be the introductory information for Miriam. I would also write a prayer, or prayers, and have a couple of reflections/devotions connecting her with us.

I would like to "blog" updates every once in awhile, and would appreciate feedback on this project.