No matter how self-sufficient we think we are, we all need people who help us, support us, and stand with us through “thick and thin.” Trying to “do life” alone is a recipe for disaster. There are a few bigger-than-life characters in the Bible who are perfect examples. Take Moses, for example. We think of him as the great leader of the Israelite people who had an encounter with God at a not-exactly burning bush, faced down the great pharaoh of Egypt, led his people through the Red Sea, and continued to guide them for 40 years as they wandered through the wilderness before finally leading them to the Promised Land. And Moses was all that. But he didn’t do any of it alone. There was, of course, God (and that’s no small thing!). But there were also other people.
Before Moses became the great leader, he was just a baby in a basket, floating down the Nile. It was a risky, desperate plan. Pharaoh had ordered that all Hebrew baby boys be killed, and Moses’ mother could only hide him for so long. So she wove a little ark, placed him inside, and set him adrift on the Nile. Her act was desperate, but it was his only chance to survive.
But Moses wasn’t entirely alone. His big sister Miriam was watching.
“His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.” (Exodus 2:4)
Can you picture her? A young girl, peeking through the reeds, keeping her eyes glued to that little basket, and hoping for a good outcome. And when Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the baby in the basket, Miriam stepped forward with remarkable courage and cleverness: “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
Miriam’s quick thinking and courage not only saved Moses’ life but also reunited him with his mother, who, for a couple of years, was paid to nurse the child she had let go.
Miriam’s connection with Moses doesn’t end there, though. They were separated for years as Moses was raised in the palace as an Egyptian prince, fled Egypt to Midian to start his own family, and returned decades later. However, one of the first things Moses did when he returned to Egypt was reconnect with his brother, Aaron, and his sister, Miriam. Until the end of her life, Miriam would continue to stand by Moses’ side.
Miriam reminds us that help doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s standing nearby, watching faithfully, and being courageous enough to take action when the need arises. Sometimes it’s speaking a word of encouragement. Sometimes it’s simply being present when things feel uncertain.
We don’t often think of quiet siblings or friends as “heroes of faith.” The “big” heroes are remembered, while the others fade away. But Miriam shows us the power of watching out for one another. Her presence, courage, and attentiveness made all the difference.
Maybe you’ve been in a “Miriam moment”—watching over someone quietly, waiting for the right moment to step in, offering support in little ways that are rarely seen or acknowledged. Or maybe you need a Miriam in your life—someone who sees you when you feel adrift and isn’t afraid to step up on your behalf. I suspect, for most of us, we’ve both been a Miriam and needed a Miriam.
Either way, the lesson from Miriam is that God often works through the watchful eyes, brave words, and faithful presence of ordinary people. Big heroes make for great stories, but the real heroes are the names we don’t know or too easily forget who worked for good without asking for the limelight.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Miriams in my life—those who watch out for me, encourage me, and step in when I need help. Give me the courage to do the same for others, to be watchful, encouraging, supportive, and bold in love. Amen.
