7.1.25 ~ Thanks for the Memories

Good morning!

In this week's Torah portion, Chukat (Num 19-22), we lose one of the most essential women in the history of mankind; Miriam/miryam. The end of a prophetess (Ex. 15:20), a leader, a woman of valor, one whose life is recounted in one sentence...and Miriam died there.

Why is so little attention given to Miriam's passing? Really? One verse to the woman who, as a little girl, watched over the Israelites’ future savior and ensured his early nurturing (Ex. 2), the woman who led the women in joyous song after the Israelites crossed the sea (Ex. 15), the woman,  whose life is always connected with the life giving water/mayim and ultimately, at least within the text and the eyes of the people, goes unnoticed and suffered a cruel death of indifference/ta mot sham...and Miriam died there (Num. 20:1)

"Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam/miryam died there/ta mot sham, and was buried there." (Num. 20:1)

Today, our lives are equivalent to wandering in the barren wilderness of Zin, just like the Israelites before us. And like them, we have not reached the land of our inheritance (Gal. 3:29). And like them, we have probably voiced as many complaints, been taught as many lessons, and inherited as many unheaded chastisements as our wandering ancestors. Our journey is very much like theirs, without the physical scenery.

The wilderness journey has a way of wiping out human compassion and recognizing significant people (in this case an amazing woman). We lose our perspective on compassion when we stop acknowledging the service of others on our behalf, because we become obsessed with our 'thirst' (Num. 20:2,3).

"And there was no water/mayim for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!" (Num. 20:2,3)

As we travel through this Torah portion, amidst the Red Heifer (Num. 19), Moses striking the rock twice (Num. 20), Aaron's acknowledged death (Num. 20:22-29), the brazen serpent on the pole and the defeat of Sihon, the Amorite king, and Og, king of Bashan (Num. 21). I want to encourage you to make sure you do not become like the Israelites of yesteryear,  who allowed their thirst, which was God purposefully ordained (Deut. 8:2), to forget who brought us to this place where God shows Himself. Like a McDonald's hamburger, gratitude does not have a shelf life. Without the Prophetess Miriam, Moses wouldn't have been here and this story doesn't happen, and...

There are many reasons why she is so casually ignored, at the time of her death. Could the one mark against her (Num. 12) that caused the camp from moving forward for an entire week be the bitter root that brought about this moment lacking acknowledgement (Num. 12:15)? Isn't it funny how one event in the life of an influential person can have such a profound impact on our memory; remembering the failure and forgetting their role in getting us to where we are today? Miriam was a 'game changer' and, this morning, I'm giving her the acknowledgement she is due and all the other influencers in my life.

You have been prayed for and appreciated!

On this 31st day of counting toward the first fruit of the wine, I hope you'll take the time to find that influential woman in your life who gave you life giving water.; when she's gone, so too will the water. Gratitude is the opposite of murmuring and complaining.  Gratitude always remembers where you've been, takes inventory where you're at and never forgets who is guiding you to your destination: The Lord our God and He uses a whole lot of special people along the way :-)

Shalom!

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