Jochebed
by Eugenia Price
Jochebed's name is only mentioned twice in the entire Bible (Exodus 6:20; Numbers 26:59), but thirty-three hundred years after her death, she is still remembered as one of the great mothers of all history.
A mother can do nothing higher than instill her own wisdom and faith and character into her children. In Moses, in Aaron, and in her daughter, Miriam, Jochebed did just this. A truly creative mother must be an authentic teacher. Jochebed had taught Miriam well. The seven-year-old Hebrew slave child conducted herself with amazing maturity and poise before Pharaoh's daughter.
It seems to me that no one should be surprised at Moses, Aaron, and Miriam--all three outstanding human beings. Look at their mother! And the more we study Jochebed, the more evident it becomes that mothers mark their children one way or another. [Jochebed] made full, creative use of her imagination, as well as her practical mind, when she did not stop with merely frantic prayers to the Lord God to save her baby, Moses. She was poised even in the face of potential tragedy; she was able to quiet her inner turmoil and think clearly. The plan she devised was clever, highly imaginative--and she worked with her hands to bring it to a successful ending. Jochebed was an authentic woman of God, balanced, mature, self-controlled. Her emotions ran deep, but she was not a victim of those emotions. God was her Master, therefore she was a master of herself....
[Jochebed's] life was lived to the hilt--not sensationally, but it's good effects reach us today, teaching us that a woman under God's control is a woman living her life to its highest and fullest.
Taken from Women's Devotional Bible 2, NIV
Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 31:25-31 - She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches of the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Romans 12:21 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Dear Lord,
I ask that you bless every mother who reads this blog post. Help her to live her life to its highest and fullest by giving you control over her life. Help me, as well, to give you control over my life so that I may live my life to its highest and fullest.
Bless all mothers in our awesome task of teaching children the right paths to follow, so our children will continue to follow you. Grant joy, patience and faith to those who may be struggling right now.
Thank you for your guidance and control.
Amen.
