Perseverance
The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation . . .
Exodus 15:2
In Exodus 15, we find Miriam, now an old woman and prophetess (v 20), leading side by side with her brothers Moses and Aaron. This is the first—and only—time she is mentioned by name in the book. A lot had happened since she and Moses were children, and much of it is recorded in this worship song. Moses received his call from God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He had faced repeated challenges, negotiating with Pharaoh and warning him of the ten plagues. Finally, God’s people left Egypt, only to be chased by Pharaoh’s chariots. God parted the sea and spared the lives of the Hebrews by drowning Pharaoh’s army in the returning waters (Exodus 14).
After this miraculous salvation, the people paused to give praise to God, their deliver. Moses led the people in this song. Then Miriam took the lead and taught the women the tune (v 21), a melody that would be sung and remembered in every household, at that time and beyond. Miriam is the first woman to be called a “prophetess” in Scripture. The role of a prophet was to receive instructive words from the Lord and relay them to the people to guide them. The prophet Micah confirmed Miriam’s leadership role during the Exodus in Micah 6:4. The courage, presence of mind and faith that Miriam displayed when she was a young girl, was still evident as an adult. Miriam was someone who persevered in her faith, work and service for the Lord.
Read
Exodus 15:1-21.
Prayer
Mighty God, keep me persevering in my Christian walk, I pray in Jesus name. Amen
Very encouraging