This month our series is entitled: Who Are They?
We have learned about a few bigger-than-life people that were involved in miracles, talked to God, did a heroic deed or ruled some land, but we shrug our shoulders at so many others...Who Are They?

All the characters of the Bible were important to God and have important lessons to teach us.
1 Corinthians 10:11 [NASB]

Our series this month is about four Bible characters from both the Old and New Testaments. They are all women, mothers, and all used by God to impact the lives of many people. Their stories convey powerful lessons to all of us.

Our first character is found in the book of Exodus but first we'll look at a little background.
In the book of Genesis, God had called Abram out of a pagan land to the land of Cannan. His purpose was to create a people and birth a nation that would honor Him; thus, the Hebrew people and the nation of Israel found their origin.
In time, Abram’s descendants found their way into Egypt, taking refuge there because of a great famine. A Hebrew man named Joseph became the trusted advisor in the court of Pharaoh and his nation thrived because of God’s blessings, as did all of the Hebrew people.
In Exodus 1 we learn that a new Pharaoh had come to power in Egypt and felt no obligation to honor Joseph’s deeds or the Hebrew people. He was worried about them outnumbering and overtaking the important political and military positions. So he went on the offense against the Hebrews.
Exodus 1:12-16, 22

Now we come to our first character in the series. Her name is Jochebed.
She is the star, if you will, of Exodus 2:1-10 where we learn that she and her husband Am'Ram had a child named Moses.
When Moses was born, Jochebed and Am'Ram would not obey Pharaoh's command. Instead she hid Moses for 3 months. When she couldn't hide him any longer, she placed the child in a specially prepared basket and placed it, strategically, along the river. This was an area that was well traveled and frequented by Pharaoh's daughter.
Through this process, the child was under the watchful eye of God and his natural family. We see in Exodus 2:4 that his sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. Moses was found by the royal lady and her attendants. She had compassion and adopted the child into her household.
Exodus 2:7-10

When we think of Jochebed, a number of character qualities could be talked about...courage, nurture, compassion, persistence, and devotion are just a few.
Today we'll roll them all together into one primary quality, defender.

Defender: "A person who protects someone or something from attack, assault, or injury; one who believes in and supports a person, cause, or property with little regard for themselves."

Jochebed was a defender of her family. Her husband Am'Ram was united and collaborated with her.
Hebrews 11:23
In many ways, we live in a culture very similar to that of Egypt. It's paganistic, idol worshipping, self-centered, and extremely perilous to children and families.
We need more parents, or people in general, that will stand up to the institutionalized forces that would seek to harm and take possession of our children.

If we take some time to observe Exodus 2:1-10 and Hebrews 11:23-26, we'll find a number of lessons that can be applied to our lives.
Today we'll look at four observations that can lead us to be a more active defender of our families, our communities, our churches, and our nation.

From the stories of Jochebed and her husband Am'Ram we learn they...

First - Suffered from the oppression of their civil authorities and cried out to God
Exodus 3:7
Be a Defender by PRAYING (confess sins - personal & cultural)

Second - Were aware of the plans of their enemies.

Be a Defender by KNOWING (study the Bible & global events)

Third - Chose to reject the ungodly demands of their culture.

Be a Defender by CHOOSING (develop priorities that honor God)

Fourth - Invested themselves in the care and spiritual nurture of their children.

Be a Defender by INVESTING (create a plan and work the plan)