A mother’s role and influence are undeniably significant. Woman whose life is testimony to this is Jochebed. Her impact on the lives of her children shook and shaped the world of her day with a force of that ripples even to the world of our day. Such is the power of a godly mother.
Like the ancient patriarch Job, Jochebed lived by faith. This is the point of Hebrews 11:23. “By faith” she trusted God in the midst of great danger and terrifying heartache, and the results of her faith changed the world. God’s instrument for the rescue of Israel may have been Moses, but His instrument for the rescue of the rescuer was his mother. What a pattern she sets for us!
1. Conviction
Joechebed’s priorities were the protection, care, and training of her child. And her priorities were driven by conviction rather than convenience, by self-sacrifice rather than self-preservation, and were the result of sacrificial love and godly character.
2. Creativity
Instead of taking the path of least resistance, instead of looking for the easy way out, Jochebed acted with thought and deliberation. As a result, she devised a creative alternative, and the danger of the situation was transformed into advantage.
3. Confidence
Jochebed trusted God more than she feared Pharaoh. The strength of her faith conquered her fear. And it is not an overstatement to say that her faith and her resulting choices have impacted the life of virtually every person since. Everything touched by the post-Egypt
Principles from the Life of Jochebed:
1. Perseverance
The easy way is seldom the best or most meaningful way. Through willingness to take the road less traveled and the faithfulness to endure the end, we have the opportunity to make a difference in our world.
2. Dependence
Life offers challenges that require us to look beyond ourselves and our own cleverness and abilities. But in the midst of those challenges we can depend upon the grace of God and trust Him with our futures and families.
3. Consequence
When forced to the point of decision, we must be prepared to accept the consequences that may come. This is the reality of life in a fallen world, where good and right are often punished. The commitment to do right must not be reliant upon an expectation that the world will celebrate is. In most cases it will not.
4. Furtherance
If our values and convictions are outlive us, we must invest in young hearts and lives with spiritual truth and passion. As they embrace faith in Him and mature in that faith, our hearts may well be enriched by seeing the gospel go further through them than it ever could through us.
