ChangeMakers: Unsung Women of the Bible (Vol 2)નમૂનો

Jochebed

She was facing a lose-lose situation.

Jochebed's baby boy, who would be named Moses, was born at a time when the government said Hebrew baby boys were to be killed. All mothers think their baby is precious, but the Bible uses the following phrase to describe her baby: Exodus 2:2 says she saw the baby was good. Acts 7 says Moses was no ordinary child.

Imagine you give birth to a child that, in your spirit you know is not ordinary and meant for good, but the law says this child must die. What do you do?

In a bold, brave act of civil disobedience, Jochebed defied the government's orders. She decided to protect her baby, hiding him for three months, a testament to her unwavering bravery.

Think of how difficult this would have been. A simple cry could have sounded an alarm to the Egyptians.

And then another decision came.

After 3 months, she could no longer hide the baby. She had to do something. It was again a losing scenario that would undoubtedly lead to death. Acting out of faith, she made a floating basket, placed her child in it, and put him in the river. This same river was where so many sons had been killed, where dangers lurked under and above the water for a Hebrew child.

The baby lets out a cry. Pharaoh's daughter hears the baby, and the Bible says her heart was soft for this child. At that moment, Pharaoh's daughter adopted the sweet baby and, in God's divine love, asked Jochebed to nurse and care for the baby. The agreement between these two mothers became somewhat of an open adoption, orchestrated as only God could.

Even in the most challenging moments of her life, Jochebed's faith was unwavering. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of selfless love, faith, and bravery. She had no choice but to utterly depend on God to protect her precious baby.

In the story, motherhood, defiance, adoption, persecution, survival, and faith divinely intersect in Jochebed’s life. Her bravery ultimately led to her people's freedom from slavery. His unique proximity, experiences, and exposure to both Hebrew and Egyptian cultures prepared him to lead Israel out of 400 years of bondage.

Jochebed example of a mother's love is evident in her selflessness and bravery, and a source of strength for us all.

Prayer & Meditation

Do you have a decision to make? Do you feel like no decision is the right one?

As you focus on this picture of Jochebed saying goodbye and seeing her child for what she thought was the last time, think about the faith, courage, bravery, and selflessness she showed.

In your decision, is there a way to move that requires those attributes? Is there a way through faith, God could turn things around?

Having a defiant spirit to the world’s systems and an open heart to do God’s will. Here will always be the intersection where significant change and big social movements occur. God is at work in your sacrifice. Pray boldly, ask God to give you Jochebed's faith and bravery, and be gracious to you as He was to her.

Written. by Jen Edwards

Photo Credit: Ritrovamento di Mosè by Giuseppe Mancinelli (Artnet)