Children are considered vulnerable in rescue missions. In fact, before any rescue mission, all children are taken to a safe place for their protection and guidance. Children could be superstars in anime but in reality, they are vulnerable and need protection. In the Bible, there were a few instances where children became susceptible to harsh edicts. For example, Pharaoh’s edict to drown the Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 2) and Herod’s edict to kill all baby boys until the age of two (Matthew 2:16-18). Moses, and all the baby boys born around the same time as him, were condemned to die. Moses’ mother’s brilliant rescue mission had a child superstar who made the mission successful. Miriam, the sister of Moses, was very instrumental in the rescue mission. While many young girls would have been sad because of the impending “doom” for their siblings, Miriam demonstrated strength and positive impact. She did not miss the “drama” of the baby in the Nile. But, she directed the storyline and ensured that ultimately, her brother was taken care of by the right woman. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” (Exodus 2:4, 7) Out of fear, Jochebed, Moses’ mother, set him off in a well secured basket. But, “his sister [Miriam] stood at a distance to see what would happen to him” (Exodus 2:4). Even as a child, Miriam was determined to see the rescue of her brother. When the baby in the basket was finally rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, Miriam was right there to give an important recommendation. Miriam, asked “Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother” (Exodus 2:7-8). Moses, the Prince of Egypt was nurtured by his Hebrew mother because Miriam had positioned herself for the deliverance. Several years later, after the great Red sea deliverance, Miriam joined Moses in singing praise to God. Exodus 15:20 quotes that “Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.” Miriam had a prophetic ministry. She was not just a child superstar, but a God-fearing adult. Miriam had her weaknesses as well. She and Aaron, her other brother, spoke against Moses and God was enraged and Miriam suffered leprosy for the way she spoke against Moses (Numbers 12). Miriam as a child saved a whole nation by positioning herself at the right place to offer the right advice. As an adult, Miriam had a prophetic ministry and supported the ministry of Moses. But, she still had a weakness. She spoke ill about Moses and God was not pleased. For seven days, Miriam lived as an outcast because of leprosy. There are many Miriams in the church and the communities we live in. They will go all out to ensure that one soul is saved. They risk their lives to ensure the safety of others. They don’t give up on the weak and the vulnerable. Miriams are not afraid to give counsel to the strong and powerful. They are not scared by the presence of powerful authority. Like Irena Sendler, the polish woman who rescued 2500 Jewish children from the holocaust, Miriam saved a whole nation by rescuing the baby Moses. When God places us in a position to save the weak and the vulnerable, we should not be afraid of what we cannot do. Rather, we should focus on what God can do through us. We are on a rescue mission and each day is an opportunity to save a soul, to rescue the perishing, to care for the dying and to snatch those who are in the grips of the enemy. Let’s be intentional to get rid of our weaknesses and develop our strengths. We have been saved to save others, one soul at a time.
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