The Love of Two Mothers: A Slave and a Princess
A command went out by Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to murder every Hebrew male child. But the Hebrew midwives feared God and refused to do as he commanded. When questioned by the king, the midwives claimed that the Hebrew women were more vigorous and gave birth before they arrived. So God blessed them and multiplied the people. Pharaoh then commanded that every son born be cast into the Nile river (Exodus 1:15-22 NASB).
A baby boy cries… his mother’s heart leaps with joy and fear. Jochebed… a slave… a Levite woman belonging to God, believed in God’s promises and faithfulness despite the present circumstances. She tightened her arms around her beautiful baby boy. She loved him.
As the child grew, she and her husband Amram prayed to God for help. She hid him for three months. But when time ran out, she vowed to spare his life. She put him in a wicker basket, waterproofed with tar and pitch.
Can you see her bending down, whispering a prayer, kissing his cheeks, and wiping the tears falling from her eyes? Can you hear her pleading with God to protect and preserve her son from the crocodiles as she slowly and softly pushes the ark of salvation into the river among the reeds?
Too painful to watch, she left her daughter Miriam… this baby boy’s sister… to keep vigil over him as he drifted away… her birth son… had to leave his home to live. She loved him so much that she let go and let God… then sovereignty showed up!
[Selah]
A baby boy cries… a woman’s heart leaps with compassion and courage. Pharaoh’s daughter… a princess… a nonbeliever… assisted God’s people by delivering a child from death.
Desiring to take a bath, she and her attendants arrived at the riverbank and spotted the basket. She sent her maid to get it. When she saw the child, she loved him. Miriam, his sister, approached the princess and asked if she should go and get a nurse for the baby. The princess agreed and Miriam went and got her mother. Pharaoh’s daughter sent Jochebed away paying her to nurse the child.
Can you see Jochebed scooping up her own son in her arms again? Can you see her kissing his cheeks and tightening her arms all around him? Can you see her thanking God for His protection over her son’s life, bringing him back to her even if she now functions as his nursemaid? Can you see God’s sovereignty?
As painful as it was earlier to give him up, Jochebed gave him up again. After the nursing process, she brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter who named him Moses… her adopted son… who also… eventually had to leave his home again to live.
The love of two mothers, a slave and a princess, delivered a child destined to deliver Israel!
Jochebed’s great love for her son, along with her ingenuity, courage, and faith helped her to act heroically in the midst of her situation. She surrendered her son to God and He preserved and restored Moses back to her in a unique and unexpected way.
Pharaoh’s daughter’s love for this baby, along with her compassion, courage, and resources enabled her to be used by God. He allowed her to adopt Moses and educate him for his future role as Israel’s deliverer.
The love of two mothers, a slave and a princess, preserved the entire Jewish race!
Mothers, whether you birth a child or adopt a child, you never know how God will use you and your child to accomplish His plan. Many times, we as mothers must choose between faith and fear when it comes to our children. Jochebed didn’t know how God planned to deliver and use her son. She just hung on with her faith, prayed, did what she needed to do, and then let go and let God do His divine work. Pharaoh’s daughter never realized she played a role in this divine plan.
Maybe you struggle with a difficult child or you are faced with a difficult situation involving your child. Let me encourage you. We may not understand God’s ways or why He uses who He uses, but we know His character and He does everything for good and His glory.
If you are concerned about your children’s well-being, give them over to the Lord. He created them and knows how to deliver them. Seek His guidance on what to do. Thank Him for the gift of motherhood and ask Him to give you grace each day to depend on Him and trust His sovereign rule over their lives. Let go and let God. Easy? No. Effective? Yes!
I don’t know about you, but I experienced Jochebed’s pain at points in my life with my sons. During difficult times in their lives, I cried and pleaded with God to protect and preserve them. With faith, help from friends, and truly letting go and letting God deal with them, God provided the arks of salvation! I am so thankful to Him for my sons and His faithfulness.
Why? Simply …
