May the God who has been my shepherd
all my life, to this very day,
the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—
may he bless [and protect my children] these boys.
Genesis 48:15-16
This past year, I became an empty nester. I know it’s cliché, but I blinked, and it was over. My kids’
childhoods had ended, and it was time for them to leave home.
When they would return for a weekend visit, it was a wonderful time together, but I soon discovered
worry often reared its ugly head. As I would watch them back down the driveway to leave, I found
myself fearing for their safety. For their morality. Did I prepare them well enough for this world?
Worries and doubts would swirl in my mind.
Over the last year, I’ve had to teach myself to remember the model that Jochebed, Moses’ mother,
provides.
Quick Backstory
Jochebed lived in an evil time. Israel’s population had grown dramatically, and Pharaoh, the Egyptian
ruler, was paranoid of a Hebrew rebellion. So, Pharaoh started killing all male, Hebrew babies.
The Bible tells us that when Moses was born, Jochebed hid him for three months. When she could no
longer hide him, she made a waterproof basket, placed Moses into the basket among the reeds along
the bank of the river, and walked away.
Moses’ sister watched from afar.
Soon, Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe in the river, and she saw Moses in the basket. Realizing he was
a Hebrew baby, she felt sorry for him. Fast forward, the princess asked Moses’ sister to find a Hebrew
woman to nurse him; Jochebed was reunited with her son!
Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter… Exodus 2:10
When the boy was older, Jochebed brought Moses back to Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted him as her
own son. Jochebed then walked away for a second time, leaving her child in the palace of a cruel and
evil man. Yet, she knew the palace was the safest place for him and trusted in the Lord’s protection.
Lessons for Today
Jochebed’s example still inspires today and is relevant for any mom whose child is transitioning into a
new phase of life.
1. Jochebed understood her children belonged to God, not to her. She committed them and their
outcomes to God who could love and protect them better than she ever could. We too can trust
God to love and protect our children – even better than we can.
2. Jochebed poured into Moses during the years she had him. I’m sure she prayed with him and
for him. I would imagine she instilled into her children the knowledge of their identities and the
identity of the one true God.
3. Jochebed trusted God to be with her son when she left him with the princess. She placed
Moses in enemy territory (the way I feel about many of our college campuses!). If Jochebed
could trust God to be with her son, we can trust Him when our kids are in hostile environments
or dangerous situations.
4. Jochebed continued to pray for her son. The lives of her children were evidence of a praying
mom. Three of her children became ‘Christian’ leaders: Aaron, Miriam, and Moses were
instrumental in leading God’s people out of slavery.
Every time we worry about our children, remember Jochebed’s example.
We can place our children in the ‘basket’ of God’s care and trust Him. Trust Him to hear our prayers.
Trust Him when we can’t see the answer yet. Trust Him to take care of our children. Trust Him – even
when they go into enemy territory.
Praying the Scriptures is Powerful
Prayer Made Simple is a tool that teaches and trains women to move forward in their prayer life. Praying biblical prayers for the people we love is a way to invite God’s blessings, power and grace into our lives.
Sneak peek of Prayer Made Simple
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