Starting Out Right
The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam. 1 Chronicles 5:29 (Hebrew text) 6:3 English text
Children – It’s true that the children of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam, but this isn’t what the Hebrew text says. The Hebrew word oovnei appears a second time in the same verse, but it isn’t translated “and the children of.” It’s translated “and the sons of” because that’s what oovnei means. So, if the verse literally says, “And the sons of Amram were,” then why do we change it to “children”? Ah, you say. It’s obvious. Miriam is not a son. She is a daughter. You’re right, of course, but by changing the translation “and the sons” to “and the children” reveals our implicit chauvinism. You see, the Hebrew text isn’t mistaken. Miriam has the same status as the sons, Moses and Aaron.
Think about Miriam. She is a priestess. She is a central figure in the story of the Exodus. Her actions are responsible for saving Moses. She is a prophet. In fact, she is the second person to be designated a prophet at this point in the Torah. Micah 6:4 tells us that she was divinely commissioned as a leader. Tell that to the theologians who proclaim that women are not to lead men. Who’s right? MacArthur, Piper and Grudem or God? Miriam’s death is prominently mentioned in Scripture while nearly everyone else in the Exodus account fades into the background. Finally, there’s this verse. In a chapter about male genealogies, we find Miriam’s name. Scripture doesn’t make mistakes. We do. We have ignored the place God gives this woman because we read our mistaken misogynic theology into the Bible. It’s time to get started on the right foot. It’s time to pay careful attention to what the text says, not what we want it to say.
Hebrews 13:6 quotes Psalm 118:6. “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?” We acknowledge that God is our ‘ezer. Because He cares for us, protects us and provides for us, we do not need to fear any man. But this special word, ‘ezer, is the same word God uses to designate the role of the wife, the ‘ezer kenegdo. When my wife exhibits the full design God built into her, I am cared for, protected and provided for. My wife follows in the footsteps of Miriam, an ‘ezer among her people. She was God’s chosen instrument of proclamation, leadership, comfort and compassion. If you want a role model as a woman, you might start with Miriam.
Our misguided theology usually highlights the times when Miriam stumbled. Ah, she’s human, just like the rest of us. Did Aaron stumble? Did Moses? Apparently God loves to use those who stumble. Did you think that being a leader meant being perfect? As far as I can tell, every biblical leader trips along the way (with one notable exception, of course). What makes us think that failure disqualifies anyone from God’s use?
So, we have a new beginning today. We see Miriam in a new light. Maybe that will spur us to see God’s women differently, and stop getting in the way of what He is doing with His chosen servants (plural, female noun).
Topical Index: Miriam, women, leader, ‘ezer, oovnei, 1 Chronicles 5:29, I Chronicles 6:3
It would seem that as a Son, Miriam is a Model of Discipline.
There is a Yiddish saying.. “if you want to beat a dog, you won’t have to look far to find a stick.” The Bible in Basic English and Young’s Literal Translation both translate oovnei as “sons”. Whew!! that was close.. well, at least there are two “correctly” translated versions of the “now questionable” scripture out there. Whatever happened to the “inerrancy” of the Bible? Look, we found a mistake!! (lol!) (Unless- of course we defer to the original manuscript written in Hebrew). Is this (Hebrew) resource available to us today? Maybe this is why we are enjoined to “study the Scriptures” (John 5.39)
1 John 1.3 states:
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Now, hold on there.. what about the daughters? Aren’t they included in the family as well? Sons!… how chauvinistic!
This makes me appreciate Galatians 3.28 even more: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” “..one in Christ Jesus” One. -I like that word. I think G-d likes it too. He is a G-d of diversity-(He made us very different!) and He is a G-d of unity (“in Christ”, we are verily ‘one’.)
One. A word of unity. Shalom. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. We are-(by implication)- all for ONE and ONE for all. Yes, -G-d was in Christ.. reconciling ‘the world’ unto Himself. (2 Corinthians 5.19)
Miriam had no small role to play in G-d’s story of redemption. – “And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.”
(Exodus 15:20) Her legacy continues today.. (praises to our King!)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created ‘him’; male and female he created ‘them’. (Genesis 1.27) “We” are made in his image. Brennan Manning has referred to Yeshua as the “tender warrior.” Jesus- the perfect man and Jesus- the perfect woman. G-d is our ‘ezer’. I like that. What mighty G-d we serve!
You are so right, brother Skip, we (all) need to see our Savior in a totally new light this year. As YHWH has revealed to you via Exodus 34.6- “The Lord, the Lord, a G-d merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.. He is full of compassion, mercy and forgiveness. A heart that is tender toward his children as a mother toward her nursing child.(Isaiah 49.15) He is tender, yet fiercely protective.
Our challenge for 2010:
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Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children (sons?,daughters?) -and (together?) walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us.. (Ephesians 5.1)
I used to read a lot of Piper & bought several books by MacArthur & have never got around to reading them – wonder why. I rarely open Piper’s blog he sends out – will probably unsubscribe – funny how things continue to change/evolve as life goes on – TRUTH abounds & all things in the dark will be exposed to the Light. I have never felt lesser than in the House of God because I am a woman but actually more usable or special because of my discernment & sensitivity to the Spirit of God – men need women/ezer’s for sure & that is how God made it… 🙂
Ms. Jan
Piper has a lot of good things to say and he is a powerful force for the gospel. But that doesn’t make him right about everything. On this one, he fails to appreciate what the Hebrew Scripture actually says, and that failure colors his view of Paul.
Of course, I hope to make all this clear in the next book, but just like John Piper, I don’t get it all right either. So, please keep correcting me. We together can understand. Even exegesis is not a private affair in God’s world.
“Starting Out Right”– What a Perfect Title for this first day of 2010, “pagan” holiday or whatever it was at one time, that is not what it is now today for me and my family or communities that I share in ! Thanks be unto God!!!! So many things I would love to comment on the above and the past few days, but no time for them.
After having been privileged this early A.M., to have time for a few hours to spend in prayer, I am sincerely concerned about the Prayer Request for this ” poor-needy person-. (at least in health) , Truth-L &.Kindness, that here starting today, is the Right time to put our many excellent words about Torah, Community Love, and more, into Immediate Action.
This person asked three days ago for prayer and that if someone would set aside a time for others to pray, he would try to corordinate the times. I think four people responded to him in writing, I am aware that many prayed without writing-like me, but since he/she has been part of this group, and ASKED for “healing or pain endurance”. COULD WE NOT ALL JOIN TOGETHER SOMETIME DURING THIS FIRST DAY OF 2010, AND spend several times during the day praying for this one suffering much pain? And then continue to believe what we have been reading and writing on the DD and Comments for this person who truly believes the value of sincere prayer.
Count me as one. LaVaye Billings
What an EXCELLENT idea! I am so glad you suggested it. Truthful Loving Kindness (that is her legal name) has been a faithful reader and SUPPORTER of this community for quite some time. We need to rally to her request. So, I suggest that SUNDAY, 12 NOON, Jan. 3, everyone who reads this commit time to prayer specifically for her. That means some of us will be at home, some in church, some on the way and some getting started, but we should all be available.
Thank you Skip for championing the truth about woman!!!!
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to fast & pray for the healing(s) of many of my family & friends – God/Jesus/Holy Spirit have taught me many things since 2003 about fasting & the power there is in it – which is obedience & discipline – there is nothing like it when you get past yourself/hunger & enter into His presence of denying oneself the “pleasure” of eating. Fasting is not just about drinking only water – that is not the foundation of it – we can fast in many ways & the Holy Spirit will tell you which way is for you & you obey & the miracle healing, revelation, discernment, introspection to the Truth of matters is beyond our imagination for sure.
Not only do other people benefit from this obedience but we/ourselves benefit more in many ways than you will ever know till you try it (for 6 months into a 40 day fast that was not hard at all because I had buffeted my body for 6 months up to the 40 day fast) – we are to be the master of our flesh not it mastering us. I am not perfect & have fallen away from the mastery of flesh/temple but I do know how to go back & have set my face like flint before so I know that it is possible with God.
Ms. Jan
Fast & pray for some of these only come out (answered prayer) by doing such (the knocking on the door for bread by the little widow intensifies with fasting – quickens the answer)…