Draw from  the Well: Jochebed

Jochebed Bible Study

On the Banks of the Nile

The other day I was asked, "What's the toughest part about being a mom?"

I thought about that for awhile. Is it the lost pet toad I found while putting on my sneakers? The huge pile of laundry I have to access with a ladder? Maybe its having to answer yes when that day arrives and he says, "Mom, can I borrow the car?"

While all of these things challenge my sanity and cause me to tremble at the sight of a discarded Nike, they are not my toughest assignment. What is the hardest part about being a mom? It's letting go. Each morning I place my hand upon my young son's head and pray the prayer that Jesus prayed for us in the garden: Father God, I do not ask that you take him out of the world, but that you keep him safe from Satan's power. (John 17:15) Each day I must I must take that which I hold most dear, place him into the ark and let it float on down the Nile of this world. It's the toughest part about being a mom!

After Joseph and all his generation died, the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied.

Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly as slaves. Their lives were bitter and filled with hard labor. As if this was not enough, the King than declared that all baby boys be killed at birth...What was the Hebrew woman's greatest challenge? What would she have prayed to God? Here is my idea of what a prayer journal of one Hebrew woman named Jochebed may have revealed:

Prayer Journal of a Hebrew Woman in Egypt

LORD God of Abraham, blessed be your name! It is with great joy that I have come to realize that I am once again with child. Oh Lord, may this baby grow strong and well within my womb. May this baby be born a child of Jehovah who grows up to serve and honor You.

Father how I praise you that my baby will be safe from Pharaoh. Please bless the lives of Shiphrah and Puah our Hebrew midwives for standing firm in their decision not to kill our baby sons. Oh Lord make your face to shine upon them for they have

been true to us in our time of need. Thank you O compassionate and gracious God for sparing us from this horrible grief.

Father God, hear the prayer of your handmaiden Jochebed. We thought that our babies were safe from Pharaoh's law, but now O LORD, he has issued another decree.

All Hebrew baby boys be thrown into the Nile River. King of the universe, hear my prayer. Spare me this grief. I do not know that I can bear it! Please grant that my baby be a girl instead of a boy.

God of compassion, be with my friend Leah in her despair. Comfort her in her sorrow. She has given birth to a son and they have thrown him into the Nile. Hear my prayer O Lord, please bring peace to her anguished soul.

Lord God Jehovah, the time for my baby to be born is almost here. As the day approaches I find comfort in knowing that you are the God who knows all. I trust in you. Let me not be afraid. Do not let my enemies triumph over me.

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, I hold in my arms my precious newborn son. He is perfect in every way. In my opinion Lord, he is an exceptional child! My heart breaks. I can not bear the thought of any harm coming to him. I must protect him. I must find a way to spare the life of this child. God my stronghold, please be with me as I try to hide my baby son. You who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, please give me wisdom, show me your way.

Father I can no longer hide him...his cries have grown too strong. Any day now someone will hear and report that we still have our son. I must take action.

My Shield, My Protector, my very present Help in Trouble, bless this basket, this tiny ark that I have made. Seal it with your grace and mercy. Keep it afloat as I place it into the Nile. I entrust my child to your care, your love, your mercy. May it be done according to your will for my son.

Strength of my heart, how I thank you for my daughter Miriam and her willingness to watch over the baby. It is such a comfort to me to know that she is close to Moses. It is an even greater comfort to know that You are close to him. That nothing can separate us from your love, Lord God of Israel.

Today the guards came. When asked I could honestly say, "My baby boy was placed into the Nile." This satisfied their questions. How I praise You, My Fortress and My strength. The Rock in Whom I take refuge!

Oh Lord, you have provided a way of escape...you sent Pharaoh's own daughter to find my baby. And now I have him once again in my arms to nurse...as his nursemaid. How marvelous are your ways O Lord! I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears!

Jochebed was allowed to keep her son until he was weaned and then he went to live with Pharaoh's daughter. It must have been very difficult for her to let him go into the palace and grow up there under the influence of the Egyptians. From her perspective, it may have seemed that all hope was lost for Moses to become a Godly man. Jochebed was faced with an enormous burden and problem, but she sought the Lord. By faith she entrusted her child to God. God blessed the faith of Jochebed and her son grew up to be the instrument God used to lead His people out of bondage.

Jochebed is our example in perilous times. You do not have to be a mother to feel the pressure and stress of living encamped along the Nile of this world. At times our problems seem insurmountable. The things that are most precious to us, our dreams for the future, our hopes for what is to come must be placed within the ark of prayer. And as we watch we can be certain that He is able to deliver us, nothing is too hard for Him. Not even that pile of laundry or the dark recesses of your favorite tennis shoes!  back to Jochebed Lesson

-Jan Brown

 Well Website, Mercy Drops: www.mercydrops.com/well.html

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