Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore

Scripture References—Exodus 1; 2:1-11; 6:20; Numbers 26:59; Hebrews 11:23

Jochebed, a daughter of Levi was born in Egypt, was married to Amram and her children were Moses, Aaron and Miram. We read about Shiprah and Puah, how these midwives feared the Lord and saved the male children, going against  Pharaoh’s decree. It was at this time Jocheded delivered Moses and his life was spared. Jochebed is praised for her Faith in the Lord.

Let’s see about her life of faith.

•  Trust and Faith in the Lord.

Jochebed knew very well that if she delivers a male child, what will happen to him and what will happen to them as parents, though knowing the consequences she trusted in the Lord and laid her faith in him by going against the King’s decree of hiding the child for 3 months.

• Union with the Lord

She had a very good union with the Lord. She trusted and believed in the word of  God. Bible says in Exodus 2:2, ‘And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months’. Here, beautiful child does not talk about the outward beauty, but she saw something special in the child. She could see something special in the child because of her deep connection and union with the Lord.

•  Dependence on the Providence of the Lord

She trusted the Providence of the Lord as we see she put the child in the basket and laid it by the river bank. God in his providence allowed the Pharaoh’s daughter to notice the basket. Exodus 2:6 says, the baby wept, God saw to it that the baby should weep at this very moment and later part of the story we all know that God worked through the Pharaoh’s daughter. God’s providence is also seen when Jochebed was being paid from royal funds to look after her own child.

• Upbringing of the child

She brought up her child in the fear of the Lord. We can testify this through the life of Moses. Hebrews 11:24-26 says,’ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward’.

• Reward for her faith in the Lord.

Genuine faith has rewards. As a reward of her faith, Jochebed had the opportunity to take care of her child until he grew big enough. We can just imagine her expression when Miriam her daughter comes running and tells what had happened. Jochebed’s faith was rewarded in a way of having reunion with her own child.

Lessons from the life of Jochebed

1. We must learn to trust and have a steadfast faith unto the Lord. When we lay our trust on him he is always there to help us through his providence.
2. The upbringing of our children is very important. It is necessary to bring up our children in the fear of the Lord.
3. Genuine Faith has rewards. Therefore, we must continually walk in the faith of the Lord and never get discouraged.
4. Women in present times, abort babies for their personal gain but here we see Jochebed knowing all the consequence still trusted the lord and delivered and protected the child