By Joyce Tilney

The dictionary definition of a leader is “a person who leads others along a way; a guide. One in charge or in command of others.” That sounds like a mother to me. Throughout the Bible we read stories of mothers. Sometimes their names are mentioned, other times they are not, but they all left their impact on history.

One example is Moses’ mother, who had the unique privilege of raising three leaders—Moses, Aaron and Miriam. Most Bible readers would be hard-pressed to remember her name, but Jochebed is specifically
mentioned twice in the Bible, in Exodus 6:20 and Numbers 26:59. The testimony of her life tells us it is not so much who you are but what you do with your life, and how you meet life’s crises and responsibilities,
that counts.

She lived in a time of terrible persecution. The Israelites were in slavery in Egypt. Out of fear of the growing Hebrew population, Pharoah decreed, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river…”(Exodus 1:22 NKJ) Imagine Jochebed’s joy and sorrow when the baby she carried turned out to be a son. Despite what appeared insurmountable problems, Jochebed kept her faith in God and His faithfulness to His people. Her husband was with her in faith, yet it was she who responded to God’s prompting to take actions that would not only save her son, but deliver a nation. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” (Hebrews 11:23,NKJ) By faith …because they saw.

As Jochebed looked at her baby, she knew God had a plan for him. Surely they had worrisome moments in those three months, trying to hide a baby that cried and laughed and drew attention to itself just as any baby does. Yet as children of God, Jochebed and her husband had committed their hearts to live according
to God’s standards, so when crisis hit the family, they did not fall apart. They waited in confidence for God to make a way of escape. Jochebed had to guard her heart and keep her mind at peace so she could hear God when He prompted. He impressed a plan of deliverance on her heart, requiring materials she already had at hand to make a life preserver from a basket. Jochebed fell in step with the plan of God in heaven for His servant on earth.

As a mother, she made it a family project by involving her daughter. The experience of seeing God supply protection for her baby brother no doubt was good training for Miriam and her future as a leader with her brothers. It was Miriam who was sent to follow the basket containing Moses as it floated on the Nile and was discovered by the princess of Egypt. Watching the deliverance unfold, she stepped forward, keeping her relationship to the child a secret, and offered to find someone to help with the baby. She was in control of her emotions and did not create suspicion when she asked, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” (Exodus 1:7 NKJ) Of course, there was only one Hebrew woman she had in mind.

The same river that brought death to many Hebrew children, brought life to Moses because his parents had enough faith in God to release him upon it. In a way, they did as Pharaoh had commanded and consigned their son to the Nile. But One greater than Pharaoh had created the river and directed it to flow as it did right to the feet of the princess. God is very good at irony. He arranged for Jochebed to care for her son openly, paid for her service by the daughter of the man who had tried to kill her child.

Times were good for the next few years, but a more difficult test of faith loomed. Most commentators think Moses was three or four years old when Jochebed was required to give him to Pharaoh’s daughter for the remainder of his upbringing. It required that she take her beloved son and turn him over to the enemy. She did not take him there unprepared, however.

During the time she had Moses in her care she would have diligently taught him the ways of her God, which made an indelible impression on this young soul. When he matured, the attractions of the heathen court had little to offer. We read, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24-24, NASB)

It is unlikely that another three children of one mother ever played such a pivotal role. The entire exodus of the people of God from Egypt depended on their faithfulness. “For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” (Micah 6:4 NKJ). Jochebed is listed with her husband in the “heroes of faith” chapter in Hebrews. She was a common woman, a housewife, not bound by traditional thinking as she prepared and led her children into the plans and purposes God had for their lives. God was able to use her to raise children through whom He could do miracles. Jochebed would have called herself “just a mother.” In reality, she was a great leader.

Joyce Tilney is Founder/Director of Women
of God Ministries, Inc. She is author of the book, Leah, The Substitute Bride. Visit her website: www.wogministries.com to sign up for a free monthly newsletter.