Originally published by The Round Farmhouse Ministries on September 3, 2026 as part of their series on prophets.

“For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” Micah 6:4 ESV

What we know about Miriam points to her being a leader among the Israelites. As we read in Micah, she was counted with her brothers as being used by God during the redemption of his people from Egypt.

We first meet Miriam as she is watching her baby brother Moses, hidden from sight as he lays in a basket among the river reeds (Exodus 2:4). As an older sister myself, I can understand why she didn’t want to let him out of her sight. Ever his protector, she came out of hiding to save his life: “Now the daughter of Pharoah came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrews’ children.’ Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’” (Exodus 2:5-7 ESV). Here we see Miriam’s boldness as she approached and spoke to Egyptian royalty. She didn’t stay silent, even though her people were treated as slaves. And she took care of both her brother and her mother by offering a suggestion that led to their reunion.

We read about Miriam again after God uses Moses to lead the people out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.’” (Exodus 15:20-21 ESV). Here Miriam served as a worship leader, leading women in worship in response to God’s miracle and protection. 

However, Miriam was human and was prone to those emotions that so often trip us up: jealousy and pride. “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, ‘Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?’ And the Lord heard it.” (Numbers 12:1-2 ESV). God conversed with Moses differently than with other prophets, so questioning Moses’ authority was equal to questioning God (vs. 6-8).

Miriam was rebuked by God (vs. 4-9), and consequently became leprous, being set apart from the people for 7 days (vs. 10-15). Her behavior and resulting illness were later references by Moses as a warning: “Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the way as you came out of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 24:9 ESV). 

Through Miriam’s life we see how God uses imperfect people to further his perfect plan. Miriam was used by God as part of His great redemption story despite her human attributes. She was a leader of God’s people, but she wasn’t perfect. In what ways do you see God using you to further his perfect plan?