I don’t know why the story of Miriam stood out to me as I flipped my way through my Bible. I sat in the balcony of our church sanctuary, skipping through chapter and verse references on my phone as the sermon walked through Numbers. Miriam. We weren’t even talking about her. But I saw this line that made me stop:
“..the people did not move on until Miriam was brought back in.”
In a community lost in the wilderness, wandering through the desert hoping for a promised land, they waited for one woman. Miriam had sinned – she and Aaron complaining against Moses, maybe envious of his position, feeling entitled to more. And she was punished, struck down with sickness and cast out for seven days and everyone stopped.
But it wasn’t just the people who waited. You see, this is when God was with them as a cloud, and they moved when the cloud lifted and they stopped when God stopped and so God stopped. He didn’t move His people forward seven days closer to their promise. He waited. He didn’t leave her there to catch up to everyone after her seven days were finished. He didn’t let her get lost in the wilderness. And when she was clean of her sin they moved forward, and she moved forward with them.
I’m sure there’s more to the story. I’m sure scholars could dig deep into it and tell me more than my brain could understand about the time period, the significance, the actions and reactions and inaction but my take away?
God won’t lose you. He will wait.
Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker & the FMF writers today! Won’t you come over & read some of their amazing words? {and for those visiting for the first time, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!}
I love that you brought out of the story that God waited as well. He is not a cold, harsh, distant being who enjoys dolling out punishment–He is a patient, loving, faithful Father who disciplines in love to bring us back into the fold. Thank you for your words tonight.
Yes! A perfect example as to why we can read our Bibles our entire lives and ALWAYS find something new! What we grasp tends to be what suits our current season and as the seasons change then we are open to learning more and more. Thank you for this reminder to keep on studying, reading and praying! Bless you 🙂
Crystal, this is a remarkable point! How easy we read through things and miss them. Thank you for sharing.
Aaahh…this is wonderful. Loved your take on Miriam’s story. Love seeing a story I know through the eyes of someone else’s take on it.
Great post! Stopping by to show some love via FMF 🙂 God bless!
Oh, Crystal, I love this! God waits for us to return from our sin. Then…moving forward. Such an encouragement! I’m so glad I stopped by! FMF
He will wait… three such encouraging, life-giving, hope-stirring words! Loved this!
God is so good, and this five minutes was so awesome, Crystal! Thankful I clicked over here today. I love your insights on Miriam and community and God’s waiting.
darn it, you made me cry. lol Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, one I wasn’t familiar with, and bringing understanding that God will wait for us. Definitely something to take to heart.
Beautiful telling of the story, and I love your takeaway.
“He will wait.”
I’m so thankful that God waits for me to come back to Him.
I so needed this reminder that I am not forgotten! He knows my name!
What a comforting thought! Thank you, Crystal!
Wow! I never have looked at this part of the story that way. You’re so right – the people moved when God moved, and God wasn’t moving. How tender, how so awesomely loving, for Him to wait like that! It’s like He plunked Miriam down in a time-out and then sat with her.
Such a great takeaway, Crystal. Very thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing this! Hope you have a great weekend ..
Thanks Kate!