Midwives, Miriams, Midianites

Lead actor.  Star player.  Headlining performer.  They’re the names we readily recognize and the faces we instantly identify.  They’re the ones credited with shaping the past, impacting the present, and influencing the future.  Their spotlight shines so brightly and is focused so tightly that it’s nearly impossible to see what – or rather, who – is just outside the perimeter of that beam.  It can be encouraging, though, to us to step back and broaden the beam to see just who has had a hand in catapulting those big shots into the forefront.  They are worth seeing and worth applauding because, well, they have much in common with you and me.

Consider these examples from history.  Thomas Edison’s name is synonymous with inventions like the light bulb.  But it was little-known Franklin Pope who mentored and took in an impoverished Edison, allowing him to live, work, and innovate in the basement of Pope’s home.  The life and legacy of George Washington are ubiquitous, but what about Henry Knox?  The best friend and faithful general who served with and supported Washington in the Revolution is probably unknown to most of us.  The works of William Shakespeare have been appreciated for centuries, but we’re unlikely to have heard much of Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare’s contemporary, who actually became famous first and influenced William’s writing.

We are quick to admire those big names who get the top billing and the loudest cheers.  But with just a little widening of the spotlight, we can see the unsung heroes around them.  And there is much to appreciate about those who are behind the scenes, waiting in the wings, and standing on the sidelines.  This is true of worldly icons, and equally true of those we might consider icons in the scripture.  Without a doubt, the lesser-known characters in the Word were used just as mightily by the Lord as those in the leading roles, so to speak. 

Moses is one great example of a stand-out character of scripture.  His stellar resume includes “prince of a world-dominating empire.”  His legendary leadership skills have been celebrated in poetry, songs, and films for thousands of years since he lived.  He was a priest predating the Aaronic priesthood,[1] mediating between God and His people, and even communicating with God as with a friend.[2]  He is referenced, alluded to, or quoted over 80 times by the New Testament writers.  We know all about Moses.  But what about all of those unnoticed players in Moses’ life?  What about the people whom God used to protect him, teach him, influence him, challenge him, and encourage him?  Of course, God’s ultimate plan and purpose are not dependent on any individual’s participation, as Job acknowledged to the Lord:  “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)  And in Isaiah 46:10, God himself declared “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”  Thankfully, though, He chooses to include us in His work.  He graciously uses willing servants in accomplishing His purposes, but He can just as readily use the mistakes and failures of ordinary people to challenge and teach.  Imagine, for a moment, if Moses took the stage to accept an award, who might we expect him to credit in his speech?   Knowing what scripture teaches us about Moses’ life, he might just say, “I wouldn’t be here today without…”

“…the midwives.”

Arguably, the most critical players in Moses’ story were the Hebrew midwives.  Shiphrah, which means “brightness,” and Puah, which means “brilliancy,” were nothing if not bright and brilliant, and they were known and respected for their ability assist in the birthing process.  In Exodus 1:16, the king of Egypt himself gives these two women direct and explicit instruction: “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.”   We are told, however, that “[t]he midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”  (Exodus 1:17)  Linguistically, the phrase “Hebrew midwives” used in Exodus 1:15 could indicate that these women were Hebrews themselves or were, alternatively, Egyptian women who had become pious proselytes.  Regardless, Shiphrah and Puah were faithful to God and were used by Him in a mighty way to save Moses’ life!  No matter how much his parents, Amram and Jochebed, might have desired to protect him and save him, it would have been impossible if those midwives had complied with the evil edict of the king.  Instead, he was delivered safely because Shiphrah and Puah beautifully demonstrated a deep value for the sanctity of life and great courage to civilly disobey commands that contradicted God.  Let’s give a huge round of applause to these incredible midwives, unsung heroes in the life of Moses. 

“…Miriam.” 

Moses’ sister, Miriam, appears several times in close connection with him at various points during his leadership of the Israelites.  In Exodus 7:1, God designated Aaron as Moses’ “prophet” and helper, so he is regularly noted as being with Moses, supporting and aiding him.  Interestingly, scripture frequently places Miriam alongside her brothers as well, and, as only siblings can, she undoubtedly contributed to the dynamic – for better or worse.  In Exodus 15, Miriam was clearly an encouragement to Moses as she expounds on the song he sings in the first eighteen verses of the chapter.  Miriam followed by leading the women in a joyful, celebratory refrain in response to God’s deliverance:  “Miriam sang to them:  Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted . . .” (Exodus 15:20-21). Anyone who has ever heard family members make music together can attest to the fact that it exudes a next-level kind of beauty and harmony.  What a blessing it must have been to Moses to have his sister join him in praising the Lord and thanking Him for a great victory!  But, as is often the case, those who are closest to us can cause us the greatest hurt.  Numbers 12:1 tells us that “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses. . .”  Miriam’s presence, once a blessing to Moses, became a challenge to him.  God calls both her and Aaron to account for their slanderous talk about Moses, but even more so for their jealous and prideful perspective.  Miriam’s heart was so misaligned that the Lord struck her with leprosy.  With empathy for his sister, Moses pleaded for her healing.  The Lord did not relent and demonstrated before Moses that He is a God of justice.  Miriam’s presence in Moses’ life and leadership is proof that those who are in our inner circle, whether by blood or by choice, always influence the dynamic of our lives – sometimes positively, sometimes negatively.  Miriam did both.  She positively influenced Moses, praising God and celebrating His goodness side-by-side with him.  Conversely, she was also later a source of negativity, speaking against both Moses and God, and an instance that became simultaneously a catalyst for compassion in her brother and an opportunity for God to exhibit His just and righteous character.  Despite her mistakes, Moses might well credit Miriam for influencing his life.

“…Midianites.” 

Moses might go on to name two individuals descended from Midian, the son of Abraham and his wife, Keturah.  No doubt, his father-in-law Jethro (also called Hobab) would merit some credit.  In Exodus 18, we’re told that “Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. . . [and] came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God.” (Exodus 18:1, 5b)  We’re told in Exodus 18:9-12 that “Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel” and that he praised God, declared His greatness, offered a sacrifice to Him, and shared a meal with Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel in the presence of God.  Then, Jethro wanted to observe his son-in-law in action; however, after watching the exhausting, inefficient way that Moses attempted to tackle every petty issue of every single Israelite every single day, Jethro imparted some incredibly wise advice.  He counseled Moses, saying, “What you are doing is not good.  You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.”  (Exodus 18:17-18)  He didn’t stop there, though!  He provided a brilliant plan for lightening Moses’ load, increasing efficiency, saving sanity, and improving the overall quality of decision-making and mediation for the people.  Jethro was a Midianite who was used by the Lord to shape and cultivate Moses’ leadership abilities.  But he isn’t the only Midianite likely to jump out if Moses were to survey his life.  In Numbers 25, yet another descendant of Midian appears, challenging Moses to demonstrate wisdom, faithfulness, and holiness as he carried out the will of God.  “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the Lord, so that the Lord’s fierce anger may turn away from Israel.’  So Moses said to Israel’s judges, ‘Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor.’”  (Numbers 25:4-5)  Moses imparted the Lord’s words to Israel’s judges and, soon after, “an Israelite man brought into the camp a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel.”  (Numbers 25:6)  The unholy entanglement of an Israelite man and a Midianite woman was exactly what the Lord had commanded against to prevent the infiltration of idol worship among His people.  Moses knew what an abomination this was and what had to be done.  Under his leadership, both the Israelite man and the Midianite woman were both put to death.  In this delicate situation involving a woman who could easily have been a blood relative of his own wife and children, Moses chose to follow the Lord’s will for His people, staving off idolatry and pagan intermarriage.  These two very different individuals from one bloodline – one that ultimately became an enemy nation to the Israelites – could likely warrant a mention by Moses.

Why does it matter who the lesser players were in Moses’ story?  Or in any headliner’s story?  Because the headliners are few and far between.  Much more abundant are those on the sidelines and in the wings.  Those whose names are never read aloud and never receive a standing ovation.  Those about whom no poems are written and no songs are sung.  Those for whom no documentaries are made or monuments erected.  Why do they matter?  Because, most likely, that’s exactly who we are.  We are assured in Ephesians 2:10 that "we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (New Living Translation)  Maybe God will use you in a standout role for His glory.  But maybe not.  And if not, rest assured that God will use us – just as He did every player in Moses’ story – in an important way to accomplish His purpose, whether to encourage, to bless, to challenge, or to change those around you.  God can use us in mighty ways, whether in the spotlight or far outside the scope of its beam.  Either way, those willingly surrender to Him, whether a headliner or a backstager, a standout or an unknown, will one day hear the applause of heaven and the most rewarding words imaginable from the Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”[3]