Joch’ebed  (whose glory is YAHWEH)

A woman of faith and courage

Exodus 2:2–10

Yielded up – Given back

For the last time Jochebed gave suck to the child, tears running down her face. The time had come where she no longer could hide her precious son who was about three months old.

He was born in her own home and in no wise could she throw the infant into the river as Pharaoh commanded. She had a smart little girl, Miriam, old enough to understand the matter and a strong bond of love and compassion bound her to this new little brother. She, with her mother, did everything to protect and keep this newborn hidden from detection.

And God was gracious, for the babe was not only most adorable in looks, but also very quiet as would he realized, that crying aloud would jeopardize his existence. Jochebed knew that one day she had to give her son up. She feared God and put her trust in Him that He would find a solution in this precarious situation.

By faith Jochebed had prepared “an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch.” Exodus 2:3. She put a layer of cloth therein for softness. Now the moment had come. The baby fell peacefully asleep. Jochebed, for the last time, pressed her darling to her heart, kissed his lovely face, wetting it with her tears.  Ah, how can she let him go?

Wrapped in a new swaddling cloth she finally put him gently into the ark.

Miriam, her little daughter was with her. Both with a heavy heart they made their walk to the river which was not too far away. They found a suitable spot and with a prayer only a mother can breathe out to the God of heaven, Jochebed said: “Into Thine hands I lay this child, watch over him, and use him for Thine glory and purpose.” Gently she laid the ark into the water, and, too grieved, she turned and walked away.

But Miriam stayed, she was curious and wanted to know what would happen.

Then at a little distance she suddenly saw a company of beautifully dressed young women coming to the shore. Some of them walked along the river, while another lady began to wash herself in the water—it was the princess, the daughter of Pharaoh. At the same time the little ark floated towards her. She called one of her maids to fetch it. “And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrew’s children.” Exodus 2:6. An instant connection and motherly love bound her to this little helpless being, wishing to have a child of her own but so far could not have one.

Miriam observed all this with great excitement, her

little heart beating rather fast. Pretending to be there by accident she casually came close, and with incredible courage said to the princess: “Shall I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?” Exodus 2:7

She thought it better not to mention his mother, and among the Hebrews any woman can nurse a child. The princess said: “Go.”

Then Miriam ran home, almost flying over the ground for joy and happiness. She loudly called her mother ere she was near the home, she just could not contain herself.

Imagine the moment when Jochebed heard what happened! Smitten with astonishment and surprise she prayed in her heart: “O Lord, is this real? O how great Thou art, a God of love and compassion!” She then saw the maid of the princess coming to take her to her mistress, who said to Jochebed: “Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.” Exodus 2:9

Jochebed was almost dizzy for joy when she heard those words, but she quickly composed herself and with reverence she humbly submitted to the wish and order of the princess.

Jochebed was amazed beyond comprehension, enraptured, delighted and grateful for God’s mercy toward her. He had answered her petition in such a marvellous manner. It was like in a dream as she again could hold the child in her arms, her heart overflowing with thanksgiving. She swirled and danced around in the room of her humble home, Miriam joyfully joining her, while Aaron her little brother, watched this merry scene with big eyes…

No more hiding, no more fear of being discovered! Openly the boy could now be seen, no suspicious questions to be answered.

A Solemn Vow

A solemn vow arose from Jochebed’s soul to train this precious restored son in the way of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She took her responsibility most seriously, for this child will be brought into close connection with Pharaoh, the very enemy of her people, who were enslaved by him with rigor and cruelty. Besides, Egypt was full of idols on every side. They were of every size, with rich display and with vile ceremonies in their worship of creatures and statues which was in total contrast to the worship of the true God of the universe.

Faith in the one living God who alone is to be worshiped, must be instilled into the child as early as possible. He was to be so grounded in it, that nothing, nothing could move him from following the God of the Hebrews, even while being surrounded by wealth, beauty and being educated in the wisdom of Egypt that exalts self and fuels pride.

Jochebed realized that it was not by chance that the babe came into the hands of Pharaoh’s daughter. This child was chosen for some vital, important purpose of God and, therefore, she concentrates all her thinking and actions to do her very best to raise the boy to be a faithful, obedient servant of the Most High.

With all her love and ardent dedication she made known to the boy what truly matters in life, namely total obedience to the unseen but only true Deity in the universe, who created man after His likeness and made all things by His great, unsearchable power and might. It is He who is just and merciful, seeing all what man is doing. By obeying and worshiping only Him, God will at last deliver the Hebrews from their fierce, long, long oppression by the Egyptians.

His faith must be firm and uncompromised amidst all the alluring temptations and his exalted position of becoming the heir and prince of Egypt. He would be taken to the most hazardous place to what a Hebrew boy could be exposed.

This grave reality hovered over Jochebed’s mind all the time for if she fails to educate her child to understand his position there, he would lose his soul and this would be her fault.

Unthinkable thought! This must not be. Realizing her anxiety, she submitted herself more fullly to God. She asked Him in earnest, heart-wrenching prayer to watch over this child, granting him a faithful submissive mind and love for his enslaved brethren; that he not forget them while being in the palace of a powerful monarch. And most of all, to never forget where he came from.

Jochebed’s efforts and labor were richly rewarded. The child grew under the watch-care of the Most High He developed a sound mind and faith, a keen discernment for justice and a close bond to his people.

When at last Jochebed had to give her son up the second time, though suffering again the deep pain of separation in her heart, she was confident that God would be with him and direct his future.

Thus began the story of Moses—drawn out of the water—one of the most captivating characters in the Bible, however not without fault. But he learned his lessons and became a most devoted servant of God, “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Thus God could finally use him for the deliverance of the Hebrew slaves from their long bondage in Egypt.

The Impact of a Faithful,

Courageous Mother

With the few lines: “…And the woman took the child, and nursed it” (Exodus 2:9), begins a new era with fascinating events, supernatural deliverance, and miraculous divine interventions, that ends in the formation of a special, chosen people.

Nothing is said about the faithful, tireless effort of the mother who raised and educated her child so successfully to become one of the greatest men in Bible history. The Scriptures simply ascribe events in short statements, never disclosing the pains, emotions, tears, prayers, temptations, soul anguish and struggles certain individuals went through as they were prepared for their providential destinies.

If this were so, people would read the book of books like a novel, dwelling on the exciting and emotional part, bypassing the spiritual aspect, the divine lessons and purposes.

When we, however, ask for a deeper understanding of what Bible characters felt and battled with, the Holy Spirit will let us read between the lines to discover hidden secrets. Lives unfold before us. The more sensitive the mind, the deeper the perception and insight of how characters were formed.

“The Bible presents a boundless field for the imagination, as much higher and more ennobling in character than superficial creations.” –Messages to Young People, p. 255

There is no limit in pondering how human beings, often of low estate, have been used to do great things which they never imagined themselves. There is one characteristic they possessed which is the reason why God chose them—humility. God never uses proud people, they trust too much in themselves therefore they mar and cross the divine plan.

To learn from Bible characters is more ennobling, edifying to the soul and life-enriching than all the worldly education can give. May especially the youth make use of this precious, priceless education to develop a discreet, humble, teachable character that God can use for His last work on earth—The Loud Cry. Mothers, please consider how you raise your offspring! Amen.

Edda Tedford, Canada