Of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs His three friends sat for seven days and simply shook their heads in despair without saying a word (Job 2:13). Likewise, we have nothing to fear when we learn to rely on God. ), wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (Num. [5] Jochebed is also called Amram's father's sister in the Masoretic text of Exodus 6:20, but ancient translations differ in this. When the child was born, the baby was a boy, and we learn in Exodus 2:10 that he was later named Moses.. Everything looked hopeless for the Hebrew slaves. You can never get them all quiet at the same time. Rabbah 1:25). Can you see the Providence of God in this story? Perhaps he learned what it means to have faith in God and fearless courage. Miriam, the baby's sister, watched to see what would happen. And this is true; consideration must be given to the years that Jochebed, Moses' mother, was upon the earth after Levi died and before Moses was born. What does it mean that they had faith? Jochebed just happened to put Moses in the right spot on the Nile? God, who is the great Architect of our destinies, allows nothing to come into our lives except that which is for our ultimate good and blessing (Romans 8:28). JOCHEBED: THE MOTHER OF MOSES. The Torah seemingly chose to concentrate on the birth of Israels deliverer, and therefore did not mention his two elder siblings. She named him Moses. Some Greek and Latin manuscripts of the Septuagint state that Jochebed was Amram's father's cousin, and others state that she was Amram's cousin. This king observed that the Hebrew people were growing in numbers, and fearing that they might soon outnumber the Egyptians themselves, the new Pharaoh began seeking ways of reducing the number of Hebrews and keeping them subject to Egyptian authority. Amram and Jochebed still enjoyed a forbidden sexual relationship which produced three famous children, Aaron, Miriam and Moses, Exodus 6:20, 15:20. The Rabbis identify Jochebed with Shiphrah, one of the two Hebrew midwives (Shiphrah and Puah) who delivered the children of the Israelites during the Egyptian servitude. Jochebed's name means, "Honor of God" or "God is glory". Also read Numbers 26:58-59. The Pharaoh's daughter agreed and so Miriam called her mother, who was appointed to take care of him. " That decree applied only to the men and not to the women. Imagine the emotions, the feelings Jochebed had as she placed him down and backed away. Exodus 2:1-2 A man from the household of Levi married a woman who was a descendant of Levi. Pharaohs daughter just happened to have enough influence to save the baby Moses. The latest date that Jochebed could have been born was 2385 AM, the year her father died. But there came a day when she knew she couldnt hide him any longer, had to let him go, Exodus 2:3-4 But when she was no longer able to hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. That Jochebed could still be bearing children at the age of forty-eight might seem unlikely by modern standards. Pharaohs daughter just happened to see the basket? Joseph had saved the country from a famine, but eventually, he was forgotten by the Egyptian rulers, the Pharaohs. Would he forget our family? Jochebed knew also that God had foretold the bondage in Egypt which they were now experiencing. Robert Lehigh, Editor He said: Master of the Universe! So Jochebed got her own child back, at least for a while. She committed Moses to the Lord. Jochebed herself was from the tribe of Levi, and her two sons Aaron and Moses attained the High Priesthood and the scepter of royalty (BT Suspected adulteressSotah 11b). Jochebed complied with the royal decree, but in protecting the child from the deep waters of the river, the essential point of the decree (killing the male babies) was disregarded. Again, the second time, was this time even harder for her? Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:24, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jochebed&oldid=1140850169, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 02:24. All must work for good to me. Surely the words of Hebrews 11:6, Without faith it is impossible to please God, include the concept of sustaining faith. Thats a significant fact. The cry of the little child aroused the maternal instinct of Pharaohs daughter, and the baby Moses was spared. Waiting for Breakthrough - Elizabeth's story. The Apostle Paul exhorts in Ephesians 6 that the Christian should have on the belt of truth and the coat of righteousness; our feet should be shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace. She had feelings just like you and I have. Learn Religions. Amram and Jochebed had no fear of the kings decree. When you let go, when you released that person or that thing, did you feel like part of you was breaking; now there was some new emptiness in your life? Jochebed: Mother of Moses. The prophecy of 400 years of bondage (Gen 15:13) was coming to a close. What if she kept the baby at home until eventually the authorities came? 328. Then she brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who raised him as her own. D. J. Wiseman (Downers Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1973) 57. Ex. His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him. Jochebed had faith in God's protection of her baby. (Genesis 1:7-10) Pharaoh gave the midwives an order to kill any boy that was born of the Hebrew women . She brought him to all the Egyptian women, but Moses was not willing to nurse from any of them. Kadari, Tamar. An Impossible Problem Solver. The mother of Moses is famous in the eyes of God, not because she bore the baby Moses, but because of her faitha faith that knew no defeat. What would she do if he was snatched out of her arms and taken to certain death? The sun has not stopped shining just because the traveler in the tunnel doesnt see it. 26:59; cf. Rabbah 1:13). Jochebed made a decision, and she made a plan. But that was not the case. He turned to his three friends, and said in essence, Although I dont know why I am called upon to face this trial, I do know the joy of fellowship with God, and though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15). [4] The story continues with Moses, who grew up to become the leader of the Exodus, leading his people out of the land of Egypt. Jochebed, wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, is mentioned by name only in Exod 6:20 and Num 26:59, both genealogical listings. God blessed Jochebed's obedience by making her Moses' nursemaid. After many hardships, Moses was used by God as his servant to free the Hebrew people from slavery and lead them to the edge of the promised land. Job had some low points in his experience, but repeatedly he expressed his confidence in Gods faithfulness. I imagine he learned about the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the Great Covenantal promises made to the Hebrews. She was so scared of losing her son that she placed him in a basket in one of the most dangerous places imaginable. Finally, when they did speak, they concluded that Job was among the worst of sinners, and that he suffered as a result of deep sin in his life (Job 4:7). It was not uncommon for Pharaohs and other Egyptians to bathe ceremonially in the sacred Nile River, as many Indians do today in the Ganges River. She chose bulrushes, a soft and flexible material that is capable of withstanding contact with both soft and hard objects. Jochebed was married to Amram. Exodus 1:14 concludes by saying, All their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. But even this severe treatment did not serve to decrease the number of the Children of Israel, and so in desperation, the Egyptian king decreed that every male child born to the Hebrews should be cast into the river. 1:21), which the Rabbis understand as priestly and Levitical households, or as royal households. Jochebed Mother of Moses. Jochebed hid Moses because he was in danger of being killed since he was a Hebrew boy. Consequently, Miriam came and offered to the daughter of Pharaoh her mother Jochebed, who was a Hebrew (Ex. Yocheved was the youngest member of the seventy souls who made up Jacob's household. If so, then why does Ex. She did . In the midrashic account, the daughter of Pharaoh saw that Moses was hungry when she drew him from the river. According to another interpretation, Jochebed named her son Tov or Tobiah, which was what his parents called him until Pharaohs daughter renamed him Moses (BT Sotah 12a). Rather, this verse teaches that Jochebeds pregnancy was without suffering, just as she gave birth without pain. According to Jewish legend, Jochebed is buried in the Tomb of the Matriarchs, in Tiberias. So we know some of the Jews had compromised. I have called Thee Abba Father; The "sister" of the child (presumed to be Miriam), who had come forward, suggested to find her a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Lit. Jochebed was married to Amram. Another midrash has Jochebed building a little canopy for Moses inside the ark, for she said to herself: Perhaps I will not see him under his wedding canopy (BT Sotah 12ab). 2:2). Joshua 24:14 throw away gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the river and in Egypt. So she made a little miniature Nile boat for her baby.2) She put the child in the basket among the reeds near the bank of the river. When not specified, "Talmud" refers to the Babylonian Talmud.Talmud discusses this relationship in the context of the incest prohibitions in Lev. "the written Torah." T. Moses died. In all three explanations, Jochebed immediately comprehended that her son was meant for greatness and she discerned that he possessed unique spiritual qualities. Yes, Miriam is watching from a distant place on the shore, but she, his mother had to let him go. 2:1 portrays their remarriage. First, many unwed mothers refuse to have an abortion, yet have no choice but to place their baby for adoption. (NET), Hebrews 11:23 By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the kings edict. During the few years, Jochebed was permitted to nurse her son, she would have had a profound influence upon him. Come, disaster, scorn, and pain. 2:3), lining the inside with bitumen, and coating it on the outside with pitch, so that Moses would not smell the bad odor given off by the latter. I think we can see the fond expression on the mothers face as she said with great joy, I knew that God would provide! Jochebeds faith was rewarded by being reunited to her own child. Would he forget me? Josephus and the Fathers assign the Coptic mo (water) and uses (saved) as the constituent parts of the name. Imagine being her as she left him here alone in the water. Sometimes sorrows crowd in, and troubles pile up, and it seems like God is throwing rocks. He lived 137 years. Jochebed lived in a critical time. ): I will pay your wages, from which the Rabbis learned of Jochebeds righteousness: like the righteous, she merited the return of what she had lost (her son), and in addition received reward for it (for having nursed him) (Ex. Jochebed: Levi's daughter and Amram's wife. Hebrews 11:23, 2:1 A man of the family of Levi married the daughter of a descendant of Levi. Jochebed was the daughter of Levi, and she married Amram, with whom she gave birth to Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. The question of Jochebeds kinship to Amram arises from the statement in Ex. Jochebed placed Moses in a basket and released him in the flow of River Nile. [10] The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan identifies Jochebed as also having been wife of Elitzaphon Ben Parnach, and the mother of Eldad and Medad;[11] the text is ambiguous as to when this marriage occurred in relation to the marriage(s) to Amram. Some, its likely all of us, know the pain of giving up, letting go of someone, or something precious to you: A relationship, a job, a dream. In all three explanations, Jochebed immediately comprehended that her son was meant for greatness and she discerned that he possessed unique spiritual qualities. She was only shown onscreen at the time that Moses was exiled and got to meet his biological mother. They sensed that Moses was fair unto God (literal translation of Acts 7:20), implying that God had some special purpose for their child. Doing nothing would have condemned Moses to death at the hands of the Egyptian death squads. (NET). The answer: It was based on the promises of Gods Word. She loved all of her children dearly and proved this when she risked her life to save her youngest child, Moses, from Pharaoh Seti I's soldiers. Jochebeds name means, Honor of God or God is glory. Although she is mentioned only twice in the Bible, Jochebed has a lasting place as one of the immortal mothers of Israel. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". Under her influence and teaching, she . So what happens when you trust God, eyewitness account: Miriam is near by, watching and.. Exodus 2:5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself by the Nile, while her attendants were walking alongside the river, and she saw the basket among the reeds. I want to be sure to add, even if this sounds like heresy in our health, wealth, prosperity theology culture: When you let go and trust God not all babies in baskets are rescued, not all illnesses are healed, not all jobs are restored, not all relationships are mended but this is True: when you let go and trust Him God is glorified and He will work it out for ultimate good. Then verse 18 shows that Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Thats how God does things. The princess adopted Moses eventually but never knew that Jochebed was the little boy's biological mother. Accordingly, Prov. Why did she do this? Also not to the tribe of Levi. She saw that he was a beautiful child, and hid him for three months. The story of Moses' mother is found in chapter two of Exodus, Exodus 6:20, andNumbers26:59. The Pharaoh in the opening of the book of Exodus was afraid of the Jews because there were so many of them. One of the great hymns of the church says: God moves in a mysterious way One of the most stimulating accounts in the Bible, pointing to great faith during trial, is that of Job. 1:17 relates that the midwives, fearing God, let the boys live; their reward for fearing God, according to the midrash, is Torah: because Jochebed feared the Lord, she gave birth to Moses, through whom the Torah was given (Ex. [6] In the Apocryphal Testament of Levi, it is stated that Jochebed was born, as a daughter of Levi, when Levi was 64 years old. The Exodus Rabbah argues that when the Pharaoh instructed midwives to throw male children into the Nile, Amram divorced Jochebed, who was three months pregnant with Moses at the time, but Miriam soon persuaded him to marry Jochebed again;[10] it goes on to argue that the Egyptians estimated the date that Moses would be due to be born by counting nine months from the start of this marriage, hence allowing Jochebed to hide him for the three months that were overestimated. We dont know but we hope that she too was alive to see the Exodus. Leah and Rachel: The Mothers Who Had to Share. That Jochebed could still be bearing children at the age of forty-eight might seem unlikely by modern standards. United States of America, (Click + to show other publications in this category), (A Study of Acts 18:1-26 and Romans 16:3-5), (Click + to show other publications that have this tag). Here then, we have Moses' own parents, living in a relationship clearly condemned as abomination under the Law of Moses. Gods purpose in redeeming Israel depended at that very moment on the pitiful cry of a little baby. not an ordinary child Hebrew for fine is tov(TOE v)= means good, beautiful Its the same word that used in the Creation account in Genesis 1:4(light), 10(land and sea), 18(sun, moon, stars), 25(animals), 31(mankind, looked and said=very good). He feared they would join a foreign army against the Egyptians or start a rebellion. He had a string tied to the boat and was holding the string in his handbut the string slipped from his fingers, and a breeze carried the boat beyond his reach. Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. She lived in Egypt, where the descendants of Israel were being oppressed. Exodus 2:1-2. and It took faith to place the child in the river. When he saw that Pharaoh had decreed that all the boys be cast into the Nile, he proclaimed: Are we laboring in vain? (we give birth to sons who will eventually be killed), and so he divorced his wife. What some call fate or luck or it just happened is really Gods providential care. The outcome of this brave action of defying the King of Egypt is now known to all. How do we know? Here is part of the irony of the passage: What was perceived by many to be a womanly weakness compassion for a baby is a strong enough emotion to prompt the (this) woman to defy the orders of Pharaoh. As Moses grew up Jochebed educated Moses in the religion and history of Israel, ensuring that Moses did not lose his Hebrew identity. She sent one of her attendants, took it. However, when Amram married his aunt, this was before the Torah had been goven on Mount Sinai, soits laws didn't apply yet. 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The youngest member of the incest prohibitions in Lev is now known to all the Egyptian,. Incest prohibitions in Lev as the constituent parts of the seventy souls who up... The princess adopted Moses eventually but never knew that Jochebed was the little boy & x27... The time that Moses did not mention his two elder siblings bearing children at the hands of the souls. 'S daughter agreed and so Miriam called her mother, who raised him as her child!
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