Jochebed

“And when she could no longer hide him…”         Exodus 2:3

Moses was born in a time of great distress for God’s people. For starters, they were slaves in Egypt. Generations, that is, centuries had passed since the godly Joseph was the Vice-Pharoah of Egypt, and the children of Israel had fallen into disfavor with the current Pharoah. So much so, he ordered the death of every Hebrew baby boy for he feared the prolific population would rise up and conquer the homeland. But Moses was born to a God-fearing family. Parents who understood that “… children are an heritage of the Lord…” that is to say, as Mr. Strong would have it, they are specifically assigned to those parents by God. To my way of thinking this is a profound truth and affirmation for every God-fearing parent. What a ponderous undertaking Christian parents must assume considering all this involves! As such, parents have a duty to see that their children have a right knowledge of God (largely accomplished and exhibited by their daily walk in Christ in the presence of their children…) and are directed to find his will for their lives.

During the time of this terrible edict, as Moses’ parents cradled their tiny infant, they discerned he was a goodly child; that he was beautiful, sweet, and agreeable. Hebrews tells us in chapter 11 verse twenty-three, that he was a proper child: fair unto the Lord. Evidently, there appeared to be in Moses something of the uncommon. His father and mother perceived the beauty of the Lord was upon him and that he was ordained to do wonderful things for God. Little could they have imagined what lie before him! Now we all know every parent considers his or her baby to be the most beautiful baby in the world, but this was different.

Sometimes, a person’s countenance can be a declaration of the mind. The Bible speaks of those in the book of Isaiah of whom it was said, “The show of their countenance doth witness against them…” I am an enthusiastic student of body language. There is something in each of us called the “Limbic brain” which is the part of the brain responsible for involuntary behavioral and emotional responses. The limbic brain responds instantaneously, reflexively and in real time. It is why, for instance, someone caught in a lie will blush. The lie being exposed and the liar being trapped-the heart beats faster sending the blood racing to all parts of the body as the brain is yelling, “Get me outta here!” In other words, for better or for worse, there is no getting around the limbic brain; it will always give you away! Just as God designed it there are some things that reveal themselves through the countenance.  And in the best sense of this illustration, such was the case with baby Moses. Confident that God had plans for their child, Amram and Jochebed determined to hide him for as long as humanly possible. It was a daring, yet wise choice as they resolved- in spite of the law and current culture of the land-to trust God more than they feared the edict which went directly against their God-given rights and responsibilities to bear and protect their children.

Knowing the story then, you might wonder why on earth loving parents would place their infant in the Nile River. I am sure this was not a decision arrived at in haste. Much prayer-much seeking the Lord. And today, thousands of years later, Christian parents can identify, knowing that living by faith often presents us with choices we never dreamed we would have to make. Complex decisions. Restricted options. And though we want to hide and protect our children forever we know this is not possible. So, covering them with our prayers we trust God will make up a hedge, blessing us as he observes godly parents exercising faith in times they never expected to have to face.

Moses was born into a strong, God-fearing home. His parents were faithful, prayerful, and spiritual-minded. While those characteristics prevailed each day, we esteem Amram and Jochebed highly for never wavering when Pharoah’s edict terrorized the land. And as God gave them wisdom (for he promises to lead those who trust him) together, as husband and wife…on the same page…of the same mind…in tune…seeing eye to eye…and hand in hand, (1 Peter 3:7) they comprehended and obeyed.  Now, it was not “happenstance” that Pharoah’s daughter would be at the exact place of the river, at the precise moment baby Moses would come sailing along that day. That little basket had a Heavenly Navigator! Do you think Moses’ mother was shocked when his big sister Miriam came running back home, falling breathless into her mother’s arms, telling her all about the beautiful Egyptian princess that took her baby brother from the water? Do you think Jochebed almost fell over when she heard the princess required someone to nurse the infant for a few years and that someone was Jochebed? Perhaps not, but if she was anything like even the best Christians I have known I would say she was probably stunned.

I am regularly amazed at the way God answers prayer. Never in a million years could I have imagined so many situations would “…work together for good…” for me the way they have. We pray and pray God will come through-that he will do something or prevent it and when he does-we are shocked. (To be perfectly honest-I have been the leader of that parade more times than I care to admit.) Some can be like the church meeting in Mary’s house in Acts twelve-praying fervently for Peter to be released from prison. The poor guy was knocking at the door in the middle of the night, and no one would believe it was him! The Bible says the ones inside praying were astonished when they saw Peter there alive and well! To be fair, the church was troubled.  Persecution was raging and the beloved James had just been cruelly executed by Herod. But that did not imply that the Lord was through protecting the church and that now they were all in deep weeds! Just because something we pray about does not get answered the way we expect or anticipate it to, does not mean it is all downhill from here on out. We keep praying, keep trusting and keep believing because we walk by faith-not by sight.  Without faith it is impossible to please our Lord. And we know God is faithful-he can be trusted.

So, what are some conclusions we can draw from this story? Is it right to protect our children? Is it spiritual to “hide” them from the onslaught of the devil and the world? Yes, yes! A thousand times yes! And we have plenty of Scripture to substantiate that. Is it always possible? We know the answer is no, yet we should be cautious that even in our homes we do not sanction or endorse secular things that may seem benign to us when compared to all the really harmful stuff going on out there today. It is our duty as Christian parents to love, nurture and protect our children. To raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Moreover, we need to instill the Word of God in them-I would say more so now than in any other period in America.

I like to think that Jochebed made the most of every second she had with Moses, knowing he would not be with her for long.  Jewish historians affirm ancient Hebrew women often nursed their children for about four years. Knowing her child would be raised in a Pagan society she would make the most of the fleeting moments, nourishing him with the Word of God. “There is only one true God, my darling boy, and it is Jehovah God whom we worship and serve. You are going to be brought up in a land where they worship cats! Can you imagine that! And cobras! They worship the sun, but you will always worship the One who created the sun…” Knowing he would receive an Egyptian education she would engrave it into his heart that, “There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord” years before Solomon would pen those words. What a wise woman.

Though as American Christians we find ourselves living in unsettling times may we as parents take heart, trust in our great God, and listen for our Lord’s approach which, as our friend Spurgeon said, should be as music to our ears.

Thank you so much for reading-Liz