The Training of a Mother

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We all love the story of the Exodus. The Israelites had been in bondage. God had finally heard their prayer. He had sent Moses to deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh. It is amazing to read about God delivering His people. But when I think about the miraculous things that surrounded Moses and the Children of Israel, the one thing that always fascinates me is Moses’ mother. Hebrews tells us that it was by faith Moses was hid. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (Hebrews 11:23 NASB) Jochebed, the mother of Moses, knew something was different about him. She believed God had something for this child. But she had to do her part. Can you imagine hiding a newborn for 3 months? Babies need constant attention. They cry and demand feedings almost every 2 hours. Jochebed had 2 other children. The decision to hide the newborn put the whole family at risk. If she was found out they would all die! She would not only lose one child but three!

Hebrews tells us they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. Why? Faith. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV) The whole family had faith. Miriam, Moses’ sister is the one who boldly approached Pharaoh’s daughter. She followed the basket and watched what was going to happen. I believe she watched with expectation and without fear. She had been taught to trust in God. Miriam knew God was going to do something spectacular with this new infant brother. God not only saved Moses’ life but Jochebed was asked to care for him, nurse him, and they even paid her. But Moses had to return to the palace. Jochebed had to let go once again and give him up to Pharaoh’s daughter. The faith of Moses’ mother is a devotion within itself. Sometimes I just sit and ponder, marveling at her strength. A strength that could only come through prayer with faith in God. Jochebed’s heart had to be heavy when she sent Moses back to Pharaoh’s daughter. Her faith had to have been what got her through.

Allow your thoughts to move from the encouraging faith to the nurturing skills as a mother. Jochebed only had Moses for a short time but in that short time she instilled a faith that was later stirred by God. When God spoke to Moses in the burning bush, he didn’t question that it was God. He knew God was speaking to him. He knew God wanted to use him. Moses’ only had pause to his own inadequacies. It was by faith that Moses returned to Egypt. It was by faith that Aaron and Miriam supported and encouraged him when he returned. It was by faith that Moses kept returning to Pharaoh until he let God’s people go. And it was faith that kept them in the wilderness. A faith that was taught to young children by a mother. A faith that a mother lived daily for the children to see. A faith that believed. A faith that hoped. A faith that knew.

Thank you Lord for all the praying mothers full of faith and love. Happy Mother’s Day.