Part 2 of 2 - Gossip consequences for Miriam
Numbers 12
re-told by Debbie Dunn
Story highlights:
Father God gave Miriam the consequence of 7 days of leprosy.
Imagining what Miriam might have experienced during 7-day time0ut.
Miriam determined to be a better sister, leader, and prophetess.
Bible tale begins:
After making fun of the skin color of Moses’ wife, Miriam now had leprosy.
RINGLEADER: What did Miriam’s skin look like?
Group repeats
Her skin went from olive-colored to white as snow with open, bloody sores.
RINGLEADER: Was it forever or just a few days?
Group repeats
Hoping for just a few days, Aaron begged for forgiveness and Moses prayed:
MOSES: O God, please heal her—please.
[Numbers 12:13]
The pillar of cloud returned, God’s presence filled the tent, and He said:
Father God: Keep Miriam outside the camp for 7 days. After that, she will be healed and accepted back into camp.
RINGLEADER: What did she do on those 7 days?
Group repeats
The Bible does not say. Let’s imagine what might have happened to her.
Miriam felt embarrassed as she saw the Israelites back away in fear.
RINGLEADER: Leprosy would be far worse than pimples!
Group repeats
As she set up her lonely campsite, she might have grumbled:
MIRIAM: Why didn’t Aaron get punished as I did?
RINGLEADER: Yeah! That doesn’t seem fair!
Group repeats
That first night, God might have said this to her in a dream:
[Proverbs 3:11-12]
Father God: My beloved daughter, I, your Father in Heaven, only correct those I love. So don’t reject this 7-day time-out.
MIRIAM: O God, I deserve this, but why only me?
Father God: Beloved daughter, Aaron is more easily led. The Israelites talked him into carving a golden calf. You, as his big sister, started the bad talk against Moses’ wife. You need better self-control.
RINGLEADER: It’s smart to have self-control!
Group repeats
RINGLEADER: What did she say on the 2nd day?
Group repeats
MIRIAM: I sure hope Moses and his wife forgive me.
RINGLEADER: Perhaps she had a panic attack on the 3rd day.
Group repeats
MIRIAM: Oh, no! What if I have leprosy forever? [Taking a deep breath] , Wait. I need to calm down and focus on YAHWEH, that name for God which comforts us in that He always keeps His promises.
RINGLEADER: What did she say on the 4th day?
Group repeats
MIRIAM: God made the world in six days. That is a sign that He can heal me just as fast.
Seeing the sun shining might have got her thinking about Adam and Eve.
MIRIAM: They sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. God made them leave the Garden of Eden forever. At least when I committed the sins of gossiping and jealousy, God only gave me a 7-day timeout.
That night, God might have given her this reassuring dream.
[Micah 6:4]
Father God: Dear one, centuries from now, I am going to have Prophet Micah write these words about the three of you.
MIRIAM: What will he say?
Father God: I sent before the Israelites Moses [to lead them], Aaron [the high priest], and Miriam [the prophetess].
MIRIAM: So, does that mean you will still trust me as your prophet?
Father God: Yes, as long as you recall that cutting words start a fight; whereas, a gentle answer stops anger and brings healing.
[Combining Proverbs 12:18, 15:1]
RINGLEADER: What might she have said on the 5th day?
Group repeats
MIRIAM: I can spend the rest of these 7 days being negative, or I can work on being the best Miriam I can be.
RINGLEADER: We all should be the best we can be!
Group repeats
RINGLEADER: What happened on the 6th day?
Group repeats
Perhaps Miriam gazed at her yukky-looking skin and then recalled:
MIRIAM: Father God, I am counting on You to be YAHWEH, the God who keeps His promises. Please let me awaken with smooth skin!
On that 6th night, before falling asleep, she might have rubbed her arms and done her best to stay calm, even though she still felt bumpy scabs.
RINGLEADER: Was Miriam all better on the 7th day?
Group repeats
On that 7th morning, with eyes closed, she reached to stroke her arms.
MIRIAM: (GASP!) My skin feels smooth. I sure hope that means I am healed! Please, Father God, let it be so!
Taking a deep breath, she looked and saw smooth, healthy-looking arms.
MIRIAM: Thank you, Father God, for being JEHOVAH RAPHA, the God who heals. I promise to be a better sister, leader, and prophetess.
RINGLEADER: Hooray for the God who heals!
Group repeats
Just as she did after crossing the Red Sea, Miriam might have gratefully grabbed her tambourine and marched into camp in a joyful parade of one.
While she hugged her brothers and apologized to Moses’ wife, the other women ran to grab their tambourines. That way, they could all join her parade of gratitude as they all celebrated the wonderful character of Father God.
Any questions or comments?
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- Moses who was from the line of Levi
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