Prophet Miriam
Scripture Reading — Exodus 14:26-31; 15:20-21
Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.
Moses’ sister Miriam had watched over her baby brother while he floated in a basket in the Nile River (Exodus 2:4, 7). And many years later, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Miriam was there also.
The journey out of Egypt became treacherous when Pharaoh changed his mind and chased Israel down to make them his slaves again, nearly pinning them against the seashore. But God led the people through the sea on dry land, and when Pharaoh’s army tried to pursue them through the crossing, they drowned.
What a miracle! What a mighty deed to celebrate! So Miriam prophesied in a song celebrating God’s amazing rescue of her people.
Many years later another woman prophesied in a song celebrating God’s amazing rescue of her people: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . . . He has performed mighty deeds” (Luke 1:46-55). She was singing about a baby who would soon be born to her; he would lead his people out of the slavery of sin and through the waters of baptism to new, everlasting life. That woman was Mary, and when her son was born, they named him Jesus, which means “Savior” (Matthew 1:21).
As we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior, may we too rejoice in the mighty deeds God has done for each of us.
Our souls glorify you, Lord, and our spirits rejoice in you, for you have done great things. Holy is your name. Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
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