MOTHER’S WAGES!
Exodus 2:1-10
INTRODUCTION: We are told there are more phone calls made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. There have been many mothers in the history of this world that have greatly influenced their children to trust in the Lord. Many of those mothers have not been given the recognition in this world that it seems they should have been given. In our reading for today a wonderful woman is not named she is only called “a Levite woman. But we do find her name in Exodus 6:20. The name Jochebed, literally means “the Lord is my glory.” Moses has enshrined his mother in the pages of the second book he wrote which our God inspired.
I. JOCHEBED’S DISTRATION!
We are told in Exodus that “there arose a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph.” Mothers today are raising their children in a nation that by and large do not know Jesus. If you have a Christian mother you have been blessed by the Lord. The nation of Egypt worshiped many gods and did not know the Lord therefore they had a very low regard for human life. The Pharaoh that knew not Joseph made a law that every boy baby of the Israelites must be thrown into the Nile River and drowned. Because of this edict, Jochebed is terribly distracted.
II. JOCHEBED’S DETERMINATION!
Jochebed is not a weak woman. She is a believer in Jehovah God and she is determined to raise her son for God’s glory. Exodus 2:2; Acts 7:20. There are no ordinary babies, each one is special to their mothers and fathers and to their God as well. After three months Jochebed realizes she can hide her son no longer. In order to raise a child who loves God today it takes a lot of determination, it does not just happen. The average boy or girl in America watches five hours a day of television but does not get five seconds of Bible reading and prayer with their parents. Moms and dads, it is up to you to train your children in the ways of the Lord: Deuteronomy 6:4-8. You cannot keep your children out of the world any more than Jochebed could keep her son out of the Nile River, but you can prepare for them to be safe in the world: Exodus 2:3. The ark is always a vessel of safety in the Bible. Mothers, you can be used of God to get your children into a living relationship with Jesus Christ to help them be safe as they move into this world. Even Jochebed’s daughter is a woman of courage as a teen: Exodus 2:4; Exodus 2:6.
III. JOCHEBED’S DEDICATION!
Exodus 2:7-9. Not only does Pharaoh’s daughter want little Moses, God so arranges it that Jochebed gets her wages and is allowed to raise her own son until he is weaned. Jochebed knows that she has only a few short years to prepare her son to know and love the LORD! Mom, whether you know it or not you also have only a few short years to help your sons and daughters know the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Jochebed taught Moses that he was special to his God and who God is.
IV. JOCHEBED’S GUIDANCE: MOSES’ DECISION
As those few years came to an end Jochebed took her son to Pharaoh’s daughter: Exodus 2:10. Moses is now in a totally different atmosphere and as he goes Jochebed whispers in his ear: “Remember who you are and remember who your God is. Moses mother’s education is now put to the test: Acts 7:22. Moses day of choosing which was he would live came: Hebrews 11:23-28. That was the day Jochebed got her wages.