7.2.25 ~ The 3 Israelite Musketeers
Good morning!
In this week's Torah portion, chukat, we have non-stop action as well as hidden gems worth mining. In our short dedication to Miriam we were able to glean significant truths that remind us we didn't get where we are on our own, nor should we wait for a funeral to say thank you to those 'Miriams/miryam' in our lives who bring living water/mayim chayim into our lives.
Within these chapters of Numbers 20-22, besides Miriam's death, Aaron also dies and , in a sense, Moses does too as he is prohibited from entering into the Promised Land. The three most instrumental team players in the history of the nation of Israel, find their visible legacy coming to an end in this 40th year of the wilderness journey.
There's an old question asked throughout the ages and is hotly, but quietly contested today: "what's life going to be like after this life? What will it be like for our 3 Israelite musketeers? Let me preface part of the answer with the term 'sons of God/ben elohim'. As many of you know, there are 5 appointed firstborn 'sons of God in Scripture. The angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; Gen. 6:4), Adam (Lk 3:38), the nation of Israel (Ex. 4:22), Yeshua (Jn. 3:16) and those who are led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). Each title is given to an individual(s) who were specially created by God to rule and reign over His Kingdom. So...? Hence, it's important within Scripture to point out the clear distinction between children/yeladim and sons/ben.
Now back to our question :-)
1 Chronicles 6:3 tells us that Aaron, Moses and Miriam were all children/ben of Amram. But, the text tells us much more. See if you notice a problem with this verse?
"And the children/oovnei (plural of ben) of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam." (1 Chron. 6:3)
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 translated children isn't the word for children but 'sons'...now do you see a problem? Let's look again :-)
"And the sons/oovnei of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam." (1 Chron. 6:3)
Yeppers, it’s obvious. Miriam is not a son. She is a daughter. But with a cursory understanding of 'sons' we see these are special creations of God destined to rule and reign. Hence, Miriam has the same status as the sons, Moses and Aaron and a glorious future waiting for the day when the bride is fully assembled (Heb. 11:40).
"God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Heb. 11:40)
Being a 'son/ben' is about maturity and faithful living (Gal. 4:1-5). 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 prophetess. In fact, she is the second person to be designated a prophet at this point in the Torah and God designates her as one of the 3 Israelite musketeers (Mic. 6:4).
"For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Mic. 6:4)
Though Miriam’s death is hardly mentioned in the wilderness narrative, It's quite clear God noticed (Num. 20:1); though everyone else, who were seeing people drop like flies, almost 16,000/year, over the past 38 years, didn't notice because of their thirst (Num. 20:2,3).
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people strived with Moses, and spoke, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! (Num. 20:2,3)
Miriam's death and legacy will never be forgotten. Yet, enquiring minds want to know...what's the point for me on this 32nd day of counting towards the first fruit of the wine?
Take a page out of Miriam's legacy: Be an helping/ezer instrument, like Miriam, so that people will believe in Moses forever (Ex. 19:9)
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD."
(Ex. 19:9)
Have a great middle of the week, remembering the law of Moses (Mal. 4:1-4)
Within these chapters of Numbers 20-22, besides Miriam's death, Aaron also dies and , in a sense, Moses does too as he is prohibited from entering into the Promised Land. The three most instrumental team players in the history of the nation of Israel, find their visible legacy coming to an end in this 40th year of the wilderness journey.
There's an old question asked throughout the ages and is hotly, but quietly contested today: "what's life going to be like after this life? What will it be like for our 3 Israelite musketeers? Let me preface part of the answer with the term 'sons of God/ben elohim'. As many of you know, there are 5 appointed firstborn 'sons of God in Scripture. The angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; Gen. 6:4), Adam (Lk 3:38), the nation of Israel (Ex. 4:22), Yeshua (Jn. 3:16) and those who are led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). Each title is given to an individual(s) who were specially created by God to rule and reign over His Kingdom. So...? Hence, it's important within Scripture to point out the clear distinction between children/yeladim and sons/ben.
Now back to our question :-)
1 Chronicles 6:3 tells us that Aaron, Moses and Miriam were all children/ben of Amram. But, the text tells us much more. See if you notice a problem with this verse?
"And the children/oovnei (plural of ben) of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam." (1 Chron. 6:3)
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 translated children isn't the word for children but 'sons'...now do you see a problem? Let's look again :-)
"And the sons/oovnei of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam." (1 Chron. 6:3)
Yeppers, it’s obvious. Miriam is not a son. She is a daughter. But with a cursory understanding of 'sons' we see these are special creations of God destined to rule and reign. Hence, Miriam has the same status as the sons, Moses and Aaron and a glorious future waiting for the day when the bride is fully assembled (Heb. 11:40).
"God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Heb. 11:40)
Being a 'son/ben' is about maturity and faithful living (Gal. 4:1-5). 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 prophetess. In fact, she is the second person to be designated a prophet at this point in the Torah and God designates her as one of the 3 Israelite musketeers (Mic. 6:4).
"For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Mic. 6:4)
Though Miriam’s death is hardly mentioned in the wilderness narrative, It's quite clear God noticed (Num. 20:1); though everyone else, who were seeing people drop like flies, almost 16,000/year, over the past 38 years, didn't notice because of their thirst (Num. 20:2,3).
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people strived with Moses, and spoke, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! (Num. 20:2,3)
Miriam's death and legacy will never be forgotten. Yet, enquiring minds want to know...what's the point for me on this 32nd day of counting towards the first fruit of the wine?
Take a page out of Miriam's legacy: Be an helping/ezer instrument, like Miriam, so that people will believe in Moses forever (Ex. 19:9)
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD."
(Ex. 19:9)
Have a great middle of the week, remembering the law of Moses (Mal. 4:1-4)
Shalom,
Alan
Alan
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