Jochebed: A Mother’s Desperate, Protective Love
15 May 2024Little Devotionals - Ann
“Women of the Bible” series by Ann Little
Exodus 2:1-10, Numbers 26:49, Hebrews 11:23
Moses may have been called by God to be the savior of the Israelites, but before he was able to fulfill this calling, he was saved several times by faithful women. In the last post we explored the story of the courageous midwives. If they had obeyed Pharaoh, Moses would have been killed at birth. Today let’s look at Moses’ mother, Jochebed and her courageous part in Moses’ story.
Exodus 2:1-10, Numbers 26:49, Hebrews 11:23
Moses may have been called by God to be the savior of the Israelites, but before he was able to fulfill this calling, he was saved several times by faithful women. In the last post we explored the story of the courageous midwives. If they had obeyed Pharaoh, Moses would have been killed at birth. Today let’s look at Moses’ mother, Jochebed and her courageous part in Moses’ story.
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Jochebed was from the tribe of Levi, the same as her husband, Amram. Together they had three children Miriam, Aaron and Moses. When Moses was born, the edict from Pharaoh to kill baby boys was in effect, so Amram and Jochebed were forced to hide their youngest baby boy. In Hebrews 11:23 we read “By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” Pharaoh had given this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.” Amram and Jochebed realized their little boy was “no ordinary child” and did their best to keep him hidden. Perhaps they recognized that God had plans for him and so were confident that God would protect him. As his baby cries became more and more difficult to hide, Jochebed devised a plan. By faith, she made a water-proof basket with a cover and placed him in the reeds in the shallow part of the river where he would be safe from the current or perhaps from crocodiles. And big sister Miriam was to keep watch to see what happened. In essence, Jochebed was obeying Pharaoh’s decree, by putting him in the Nile River. However, not only was her baby kept safe, he was found by one of the daughters of Pharaoh who was filled with compassion for him. I can imagine Pharaoh’s daughter and all her attendants holding sweet baby Moses and exclaiming “Kawaii!!!”
Jochebed received Baby Moses back with Pharaoh’s daughter’s protection and a request to take care of him until he was weaned. In addition, she was to receive pay for all of her motherly care!
Her courage and faith was rewarded many times over, and best of all Moses lived to lead his people out of Egypt to a safe place.She may have postponed his weaning as long as possible!