Written
by Uyoyou Charles-Iyoha
Jechobed became pregnant at a time when Pharaoh
decreed the death of every male Hebrew child. Though the Bible does not mention
it, I want to assume that every pregnant Hebrew woman prayed to give birth to
female children so that their children would be spared. But not so Jechobed.
Descendant of the Levites and wife to a Levite, she bore a son at a time when
every Hebrew male child was carrying a death sentence.
One look at the child and Jechobed took a decision.
This child would not die. She successfully hid him for three months. Beloved,
though the Bible does not say so I believe that those three months were also
three months of deep level intercession for God to spare the life of the child.
And one bright morning, the answer to her prayers came. She got this divine
brilliant idea to take the baby to the River Nile. Also included in this
brilliant idea were protective measures to shield the baby from sinking, from
being eaten by crocs or other sea animals. So Jechobed set to work – she made
the ark, coated it with asphalt and pitch before placing the child in it. Then
very strategically, (I believe she was following divine instructions and
directions), she dropped the basket in the reeds by the river’s bank (Exodus
Chapter 2 verse 3) and left.
She did not go home to wail, to gossip, to be bemoan
her plight to her neighbours and family, to abuse Pharaoh, curse him for
decreeing the death of Hebrew male children. Beloved, I believe that Jechobed
went home to pray to the God who had been their Ebenezer, who had consistently
and safely led them from safe pregnancy to safe delivery, safe protection and
well being for three months and now safe temporary stay in the basket in the
reeds at the river’s bank.
Beloved, the baby was only three months old. Though
Miriam was stationed strategically at the river’s bank, Jechobed went home to
travail and she did partake of the fruit of her soul’s travail for God ordered
the steps of Pharaoh’s daughter and directed her eyes to the basket.
Additionally, God placed deep compassion for the child in the heart of
Pharaoh’s daughter. How? As soon as she opened the basket, the Bible records
that the baby wept (Exodus Chapter 2 verse 6) and she was moved. She offered to
adopt and raise the child as her own.
Very significantly and quite strategically, Jechobed
stationed Miriam, the elder sister of Moses at the riverbank. I also want to
believe that Jechobed’s intercession also included the divine provision of
wisdom for Miriam. Two reasons – Miriam was not afraid to stay at the riverbank
to watch over her little brother. Secondly, she took advantage of the
compassion Pharaoh’s daughter had on the child to quickly appear on the scene
and without being asked suggested getting a nurse from the Hebrew women to
nurse the child for Pharaoh’s daughter. This is strategic and very significant.
Anyone could have nursed the child in Pharaoh’s palace that brimmed with a
large retinue of servants. Also, Pharaoh’s daughter had her own fair share of
servants to choose from to nurse the baby. But because God was working out His
plans and purposes for the life of Moses, He used Miriam to make the suggestion
which was readily accepted by Pharaoh’s daughter. Beloved, Moses was
consequently raised by his own mother, a woman who knew God, had a fervent
relationship with God and communicated with God. This same woman used by God to
birth Moses for a divine purpose also had the divine privilege of teaching
Moses these same principles. Beloved, that explains why Moses always interceded
for the Israelites. He had learnt the principle of intercession from his mother
at an age when his mental processes could internalize it for keeps. And here I
want to give kudos to Jechobed, one of the wisest women who ever lived on
planet earth. She was the mother of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel, the
mother of Miriam, the first prophetess mentioned in the Bible, and Moses; the
prophet with whom God spoke face to face. Jechobed was a godly woman invested
time in her family, teaching her children the fear of God.
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