1884.
“The
woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid
him for three months. But when she could
hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar
and pitch. Then she put the child into
it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.” Exodus 2:2-3
The Bible tells us of several notable
mothers throughout history. We remember
Sarah, Abraham’s wife, even though older and barren, bore a child, prophesized
by God. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, never
gave up faith in God, in spite of ridicule.
Of course, we remember both Elizabeth and Mary, mothers of John the
baptizer and Jesus, respectively. There
is one mother, that gets under credited: Moses’ mother, Jochebed.
Jochebed is only briefly mentioned, in the
beginning of Exodus 2. We aren’t even
given her name until later on, in Exodus (Exodus 6:20). However, what she did
was, perhaps, the most notable act of motherly love. An act of self-sacrifice. Jochebed would only keep her baby, Moses, for
the first three months of his life, hidden.
Since he was in danger of Pharaoh’s decree to have the sons of the
Israelites put to death, Jochebed sent the baby Moses afloat in a wicker
basket, hoping to spare his life, knowing she would not see him again. I find
it difficult to find a more noble act of motherly love than the act that
Jochebed did. Her faith and hope went to
God to take care of her son. She knew
that the only chance that Moses had to survive, was in giving up her motherly
duties. That just makes me say, “Wow!” That is love, right there!
While Christian mothers, today, may not
have to deal with the same situation that befell Jochebed, most never cease in
their role of motherhood. No matter how
old their children become, they will always be mothers, and their love in
everlasting. I know that my own mother
will continue to take on that mantle, with all of her heart, for as long as her
own life allows. I am proud to be her
son. She (and my daddy) raised my
brother and I in a manner that God expects parents to raise their children. Boundaries were set. Rules were placed. Punishment for inexcusable behavior, was
enforced. I love my parents for every
bit of it!
Let’s remember the sacrifice that Jochebed
made, for her son. Let us also not
forget that our own mothers have made countless sacrifices for their
children.
“Strength
and dignity are her clothing, and
she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways
of her household, and does not eat the bread of
idleness. Her
children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly,
but you excel them all.’
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:25-31
:) Yes, let us not ever forget!
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