Miriam: Called and Anointed

“For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam” (Micah 6:4).

God calls! He’s been calling from before the foundation of the world, and that will continue until the world as we know it passes away and the new heavens and new earth begin. But that’s not all. In the process, He’s fitting us for a kingdom work while we remain. Every last one of us was made on purpose and for a higher purpose. We are anointed for good works that He prepared long before we ever came to be. Paul assured the Ephesians: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). (Emphasis added.)*  

As you can see from that passage, God determined from eternity past to fulfill His plan and purposes. Since His plan won’t change, it’s no mistake that He makes us effective in its performance at the perfect time. One scholar noted the following: “By His divine providence, God makes the works and, then, in His timing, prepares us for that performance. Did you see that God does it all? We have a cooperative part in it, though. These works don’t save or justify us. But take notice, all the justified work!  For believers, the performance of these works is the natural Christ-like response. After all, we are in Christ and His Spirit abides in us.

So, what’s our part? It’s yielding to God’s Spirit and doing what He so wills! Therefore, at His leading, these Spirit-inspired good works naturally come forth. You know what I mean. Have there not been times when you did something to the benefit of someone, and moments before “this performance,” you had no idea it would occur. This random act of giving, forgiving, sharing, going, telling, accepting, or love wasn’t on your radar and, quite frankly, was uncharacteristic under the circumstances. Nonetheless, you yielded, and it was like an out-of-body experience - one where God took over! There are countless testimonies of believers who performed these random, unusual or uncharacteristic acts. Each one benefits God’s kingdom and displays the unfailing love of Christ.

One of Miriam’s good works is outlined in Exodus 15. It was a spontaneous event of worshipful praise just after crossing the Red Sea. So moved in the spirit, Miriam led the Israelites to God’s throne of grace and held them there. Undoubtedly, God should move all of our hearts to such a place of fruitful praise and adoration. If you’re unfamiliar with this part of her story, you may want to review those passages now. There’s no doubt that Miriam was anointed and called to lead women. It was her good work! And gifted, she was. She wrote music, sang and danced with cymbals and tambourines, and led worship. She was also one of the nine named prophetesses in scripture. That means she heard directly from God and conveyed His message to people – primarily women.  I don’t know of anyone who could rival her talents today. She was a team player, too. She was called to aid Moses and Aaron to lead the largest congregation ever. Bible scholars report that millions of Israelites and those who gleaned near crossed the Red Sea in the mass exodus from Egypt in pursuit of the promised land.  All three of the siblings were perfectly suited for their preordained “good works,” because as always, it was God’s plan, and He did it!

Additionally, Miriam was the spiritual leader among the Israelite women. She set the tone for their performance and trained them in godly disciplines. She also led them in practical matters concerning Jewish women. Miriam was undoubtedly anointed and called by God, and there is no debate that He prepared her for this work beforehand, because that’s what God’s word assures.

King David understood God’s part in our call. Watch closely, as these passages highlight God’s creative event concerning us: That those God chose, called, and anointed He sanctified and consecrated for His divine purposes. How do I know? I see it in His Word. Here’s David’s confession from Psalm 139 concerning God’s preordained plans, including anointing.

            “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made [you are His design]; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth [in your mother’s womb]. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:13-16). (Emphasis added.)

Did you catch that? God fashioned your days – all of them – including what you would do with them and through them by His grace and for His glory. One conservative scholar explained the original language says that God sovereignly ordained David’s entire life and all its concerns before he was ever conceived by Jesse in his mother’s womb.

What’s the takeaway? You are anointed for God’s good works. That should make you sit a little taller. Hold your head up even if you don’t feel much like it, because God knows you intimately and loves you with everlasting love. In fact, He had done so long before you were born. Right where you are, God will use you for His higher purpose! Perhaps in your marriage, or the raising of His future imagers, maybe in the workplace or your community – wherever you are. Others may be called and anointed to teach, lead worship, sing, or dance as Miriam. Whatever God has planned has been “in the works” for quite some time. Rejoice and remember, no plan of His will be thwarted, wasted, or fall to the ground undone. Take heart and rejoice! You are His anointed daughter in whom He is well pleased.

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, help us remember that you are there even in the quiet places. Guide us, Oh God, to faithfulness as we walk in the beauty of your love and yield to you in these good works. May great fruit spring forth to your glory because you have planned it before the foundation of the world. Amen and amen. 

*First and foremost, these good works are accomplished in our joyful obedience to God’s Word. When we agree with God and yield to His Spirit, obedient works spring forth, and to our spirit’s delight, we are filled and satisfied - useful vessels unto God.