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A Matter of Faith

Two ways to approach difficult circumstances are by fear or by faith. Fear doubts the decision previously made to trust in God when pressures and trials overtake. Faith holds firm to the decision to trust in God even in uncertain times.

When fear is our driver, other emotions are quick to catch a ride - emotions like anxiety, anger, bitterness, depression, and even guilt. Even jealousy might try to ride shotgun.

Faith also does not ride alone. When faith is leading the way, courage, confidence, thankfulness, trust, optimism, hope, and even joy can be found in the carpool. As we look at the attitudes riding shotgun with Jochebed in her desperate circumstances, we can safely assume faith is the driver.

‌READ

Exodus 2:2–4 NLT

‌The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.

REFLECT

• How could you make an argument that Jochebed was acting based on faith?‌
• Do you see any evidence that every choice she made came with a guarantee of a positive outcome?
• What is some action you have taken in your role as a mother based on faith alone?
• What truths about God were you relying upon when you acted on faith?

We also find clues to this mother’s faith in some of the background to the text.

FIRST, there is the simple fact that this mom was willing to take risks to obey the command of God originally given to Eve: “Be fruitful and multiply,” (Genesis 1:28). This couple lived at a time of extreme poverty, oppression, prejudice, and injustice. Today, we might say that is “not a good time to have a baby.” Yet, even in that dangerous and oppressive culture hostile to God’s people, she honored God by growing her family.

SECOND, she seemed in tune with what God was doing. When the scripture says, “She saw that he was a special baby,” more is implied than he was just special in her eyes.

Acts 7:20 says, “At that time Moses was born—a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months.” Though undoubtedly this mama bear would have done all to save this child no matter what, it seems she had a special discernment from God about him.

THIRD, the passage also uses the same word for “basket” as is used for the “ark” built by Noah. Up to that point in human history, there was no greater demonstration of faith than Noah’s building project. Jochebed was not simply throwing caution to the wind in desperation. Her actions were deliberate and driven by faith in God’s purposes, control, and goodness. For that, she is commended in Hebrew's great Hall of Faith passage, right after the faith record of her ancestors like Noah and Abraham.

READ

‌Hebrews 11:23 NLT

‌It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.

‌Jochebed and Amram knew the promises of God to their forefather Abraham. By faith, they believed that their people would survive to receive those promises.

They also knew that God had told Abraham that his descendants would be, “Strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end, they will come away with great wealth" (Genesis 15:13-14). By faith, they acted on belief in the certainty of those promises.

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

‌‌REFLECT ON JOCHEBED'S CIRCUMSTANCE

• How would you explain the connection between Jochebed’s faith and her role as a mother?
• How was her faith a solid foundation for her in very difficult circumstances?

WHAT ABOUT YOU

• Who has been an example of faith in your family? In your greater community?
• When you consider all the elements needed to be a good mother, where has faith been on your list?
• Has something other than faith slipped into the driver's seat as you are navigating through life and parenting?
• What decision in your life and for your family would be altered if driven first and foremost by faith in the promises of God as a certainty? By trust in His character?
• ‌What is keeping you from believing and trusting the person of God, the promises of God, or the power of God?

PRAY

‌Take time now to talk with God about the obstacles to living by and parenting on a firm foundation of faith.