Miriam, the First Woman Leader

             The Leadership roles of Women in the Church is an issue that is sure to stir up controversy.  The best place to look for an answer to any of the issues that we face is the Bible, and this one is no exception.  The first woman in a leadership position was Miriam, and she was the perfect example of both what you should and should not do as a woman leader.

            As Moses’ older sister, her first opportunity to lead was when Pharoah’s daughter discovered the baby Moses.  Pharoah had issued an edict that all male Israelite babies were to be killed.  To protect her infant son, Miriam’s mother placed Moses in a special basket along the bank of the Nile River.  Miriam stood watch.  When Pharoah’s daughter found the infant, Miriam had two choices.  She could have run to her mother for help, or she could have boldly addressed the Princess.  Miriam chose the latter and offered her mother as a nursemaid for the baby.

            After that brief display of initiative, we don’t know anything else about her until after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and escaped Pharoah’s control.  As soon as Moses decided that a celebration was in order, Miriam took charge.  She brought all the women together and then the party really started!  The women sang praises to God and played their tambourines.  They even danced to glorify God!  After all, every good party requires a woman to take charge.

            Unfortunately, Miriam also struggled with an issue that plagues many women leaders in the Church.  She found it difficult to concede leadership to a man—especially her baby brother.  She wasn’t content to play “second fiddle”.  To make matters worse, instead of talking it out with Moses, she went behind his back, stirring up trouble.  God made it clear that Moses was the chosen leader, and He punished Miriam by sending her outside the camp for seven days.  Not only was she disgraced, but she also had seven days of solitude to reflect on her actions.

            Being a woman leader in the Church is not easy.  There are times when we must take the initiative.  We see a problem and we step up to fix it.  There will always be events and activities that require a woman’s attention to detail and enthusiasm.  Unfortunately, there will also be times when women leaders may disagree with the male leaders.  When those disagreements arise, we must consider who it was that God put in charge.  Miriam forgot that it was Moses that God called to lead His people.  We can’t make that same mistake. 

            We must also remember that no good can come from talking behind someone’s back, especially when that person is in a leadership position.  That is one of the easiest ways to split a church or at the very least create grumbling and discord within the body.  God will punish that kind of activity, which is what Miriam found out the hard way.

            As women leaders within the Church, we need to be mindful of those seven days that Miriam spent outside the camp.  The emphasis should not be on anger or resentment, but rather on communion with God and His will.  Instead of allowing any leadership restraints that we experience to make us bitter, we should endeavor to grow our relationship with God, trusting that He knows what is best. 

            There will always be places for women to serve within the Church, and many of them will be in leadership roles.  The question is whether we will accept those opportunities with humility and a desire for unity.  If so, God will honor those attributes. Despite her failings, God recognized Miriam’s position as a leader (Micah 6:4), and He will do the same for us.

Exodus 2: 1 – 10 & 15: 19 – 21

Numbers 12: 1 – 15, 20: 1, & 26: 59