Our story continues . . .
Pharaoh's daughter saw Miriam peeping at the group as they clustered around the basket, and gesturing to her, asked her to come closer. Summoning up all of her courage, Miriam asked this imposing woman if she'd like for her to fetch a Hebrew woman who would nurse the child for her?
I wonder sometimes if the Egyptian woman smiled, inwardly, knowing that the girl would fetch the baby's mother? If when she placed the baby back in Jochebed's arms, did she know the joy that filled that mother's soul? Did she realize how fervently Jochebed thanked the great I AM as she tenderly kissed her babe's little cheek?
Jochebed would nurse the child until he was about five years old, the scholars tell us, and then deliver him to the Pharaoh's daughter for his education as her adopted son; she would name him Moses, for as she said, "I drew him out of the water."
For forty years after that, Moses lived the life of a prince, in the Pharaoh's palace. God kept Moses safe in the alligator filled waters of the Nile, and He kept him safe in the courts of Pharaoh, too. He grew up right under Pharaoh's nose, so to speak -- the child of Hebrew parents who defied his decree that all male Hebrew babies were to be killed! Moses received an education that prepared him for his life's work, and made him more effective as a leader of his people, in the years ahead.
I can imagine Jochebed looking wistfully at the palace, straining for a glimpse of her son; I'm sure she watched with pride as he strode out from the palace on occasion. As did Mary, I expect that she pondered in her heart, wondering at the faithfulness and providence of God. And her example of bravery, ingenuity, and incredible faith is one that should inspire all of us that want to be "women of God."
As we will see in so many of our studies, God used something ordinary to bring about something extraordinary -- that wonderful basket! He is pleased to carry out His plans and bring about His will through ordinary items, and through ordinary people. This is just as much the case now, as it was in Jochebed's day. If we are open to His presence, and to His will, He can use us to accomplish great things.
Did Jochebed know that she was a part of preserving the life of one who would rescue the Hebrew people from slavery? I think when she hid him in the basket, she was hoping for one more day; for one more moment. She placed her trust in God and let Him handle it. He was putting into motion a plan that would end the oppression that she was rebelling against. Isn't that the way it happens in our lives, too? If we will put our trust in Him, and let Him handle it . . . . He can use circumstances, people, and ordinary things, to put into motion His plan. We may not see it. We may not understand it. But He is working in our lives; we must ask as the official asked Jesus: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)
The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart
through all generations....The eyes of the Lord are on those who
fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love. (Psalm 33:11,18)
Yes, Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
Jochebed exemplifies the kind of people we need to be. Not easy at all with all the pressures there are these days. Mk 9:24 is very apt indeed! Caro x
ReplyDeleteThere have been many many occasions in my life where I haven't had even a glimmer of what was happening, let alone why. Many times when all I could do was hang on by my finger nails, waiting for rescue and relief. It is only in hind sight that I can see God's working in those episodes. And now, I can praise Him for those very painful moments, some of which brought me to my knees to acknowledge Him as my Saviour and Lord, and the rest which are moulding me into who He wants me to be. Although I'm not even close to being there Jocabed didn't know what the Lord would do, but she trusted Him enough to know that He would do something. And the remarkable thing about that is she had no Bible to tell her of the Lord. All she had were the stories that were passed down from generation to generation. and yet still, she had faith and trust in her unseen God. Like her, we may not always know the "why" of things, but we can always know the "who". Our God is in control. He was in control of that basket and who it drifted towards and who found it. Jocabed didn't know, but God did. And it is the same in our lives as well.
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