Overview:
While Moses is celebrated as the great Law-giver and deliverer of Israel, his story began with the courageous, quiet faith of his mother, Jochebed. In this message from the series The Imprint of a Faithful Mother, Pastor Chuck Swindoll introduces us to a woman who lived in a “forgotten ghetto” but possessed a world-changing faith. Jochebed’s story is a masterclass in risky creativity, divine trust, and the power of a mother’s influence during a child’s most formative years.
Message Summary:
In the message "Let’s Meet the Mother of Moses," Pastor Chuck Swindoll introduces us to Jochebed, a woman of extraordinary courage and creative faith. Facing a horrific decree from Pharaoh to drown every Hebrew male infant, Jochebed refused to be paralyzed by fear. Instead, she trusted in the sovereignty of God, carefully preparing an "ark" for her son and placing him in the hands of the Almighty. Swindoll explores how Jochebed’s brief but intentional influence during Moses' early years successfully instilled a Hebrew identity that no amount of Egyptian education could erase. This message serves as a powerful reminder that God honors the faith of parents who are willing to release their children into His providential care.
Message Key Facts:
- The Historical Crisis: Pharaoh’s genocidal mandate required all newborn Hebrew boys to be cast into the Nile River, creating an atmosphere of terror for Jewish families.
- The "No Ordinary Child" Description: Hebrews 11:23 and Exodus 2:2 describe Moses as "beautiful" or "unusual," suggesting his parents perceived a unique divine destiny on his life.
- The Act of Defiance: Jochebed hid Moses for three months, an act defined by the New Testament as faith that was "not afraid of the king’s edict."
- The Sovereign Irony: God orchestrated a scenario where Pharaoh’s own daughter rescued the child who would eventually dismantle Pharaoh’s empire.
- The Window of Influence: Jochebed was paid to nurse and raise her own son until he was older, providing her a limited but crucial window to teach him his true identity as a child of God.
Message References:
- Exodus 2:1–10: The narrative of Moses’ birth, the ark in the bulrushes, and his discovery by Pharaoh’s daughter.
- Hebrews 11:23: The divine commendation of the faith of Moses’ parents.
- Acts 7:20: Stephen’s commentary on Moses being "lovely in the sight of God" from his birth.
- Psalm 121:7–8: (Contextual) The promise that the Lord will keep your life and guard your going out and coming in.
- Proverbs 3:5–6: (Contextual) The call to trust in the Lord and not lean on your own understanding—the very principle Jochebed modeled.
Foundational Truths for Believers
Chuck Swindoll identifies four essential principles of courageous faith from the life of Jochebed:1. Faith Refuses to be Intimidated by Fear
Jochebed and Amram saw the danger, but they saw God as greater than the danger. Courageous faith does not ignore the "king’s edict," but it refuses to let that edict dictate the family’s spiritual direction.2. Trust Requires Creative Action
Jochebed didn't just "wish" for safety; she built an ark. Faith involves doing everything within our human power—using wisdom and creativity—and then trusting God with the results that are beyond our control.3. God Works Through "Impossible" Ironies
By placing Moses in the Nile, Jochebed technically "obeyed" the location of the decree while subverting its intent. God responded by having the enemy’s household fund the upbringing of the deliverer of His people.4. Early Training Outlasts External Pressure
The few years Jochebed had with Moses were enough to anchor his soul. She taught him who he was before the world could tell him who he should be. A parent’s early investment in a child’s heart is the most resilient force on earth.Practical Application
- Identify Your "Ark": What "treasure" or situation are you holding onto out of fear? Ask God for the courage to build an ark of trust and place that concern in His hands.
- Maximize the "Nursing" Years: If you have young children or grandchildren, recognize the urgency of the present. What identity-shaping truths are you teaching them today that will need to sustain them in a secular "Egypt" tomorrow?
- Look for God’s Irony: When circumstances look the most bleak, look for how God might be using the "enemy’s" own decree to bring about your deliverance. God is never outmatched by human politics.
- Reject Paralysis: Jochebed couldn't change the law, but she could change her response. Don't let a difficult culture or a broken system stop you from doing what is right for your family and your faith.
