Women of Welcome: Bold + BraveSýnishorn

First, Miriam was instructed to stay behind and watch. Now, she is commanded to go. She is brave in both, and her faithfulness facilitates a restoration beyond our imagination when we first begin the story. Miriam acts as a connection point between this woman of power and privilege and Jochebed, the slave woman whose baby is in the princess’s arms. We don’t know if Miriam had been instructed to volunteer Jochebed to nurse Moses or if she initiated that restorative idea herself. Still, through her quick action and divine suggestion, she can reunite her mother and the child in a stunning turn of events.

Something beautiful and holy happens when people of different backgrounds come together for the flourishing of others. Among Jesus’ disciples, we find Matthew, the tax collector, and Peter, the fisherman, Jesus’ close followers and leaders of the early church. Also not to be overlooked are the many women who traveled with them, several of whom were wealthy and covered the group’s expenses (Luke 8:2–3). All these different characters were important for supporting Jesus’ ministry.

Catherine Booth, the co-founder of the Salvation Army and a pioneer for women of faith, is noted for saying, “If we are to better the future, we must disturb the present.” This idea might make some of us who’d rather lay low feel uncomfortable. But there is a future designed by God that requires us to speak up and act when needed. Miriam bravely jumped into the moment and created a better future for her brother. Her bold actions built a bridge between two women who had a significant role in the rescue of baby Moses.