Welcome to Week 6 of MATRIARCHS!
Study God’s Word with us online or use them in your small group or Sunday School class!
Each lesson includes:
- Teaching video every Monday (15-20 minutes)
- Short lesson provided as the content of the post
- In-depth downloadable PDF to deepen your study
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Week 1: Eve – A Mother Like No Other
Week 2: Sarah – Mother of Nations
Week 3: Rebekah – Mothering Through Barrenness
Week 4: Mary – Stubbornly Inflexible or Sacredly Flexible
Week 5: Naomi – Not Forsaken
JOCHEBED – DESPERATE TIMES, DESPERATE MEASURES
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Below is the video lesson guide. Please click on the Please DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE IN-DEPTH STUDY OF JOCHEBED link which takes you to the next level and helps you gain a more extensive and life-changing understanding of God’s Word. There is also a link to the YouTube video link to study and hear details of Jochebed’s story. It is a story that many women can relate to.)
Desperate times warrant desperate measures. This statement was never truer than in the time of today’s Bible mother, Jochebed.
Jochebed lived during the Israelite enslavement in Egypt. God’s people had settled in this country during the time of Joseph. They had thrived there for years, but when Joseph died, a new Pharoah, who had not known Joseph, ruled.
Not only did the Pharoah not know Joseph, he despised this family that was now grown into a great nation. In fear he sought to control their numbers by making an unthinkable law.
It was during this time that Jochebed became pregnant. For nine months she carried the child fearing for its safety. Sure enough, the birth revealed the baby to be a boy. Thankfully the God-fearing midwives spared the newborn. For three months Jochebed hid him, but soon she couldn’t hide him anymore. In desperation Jochebed formulated a plan.
We, also, live in desperate times. This world is filled with influences that can distract our children from following God. Once a person’s mind has fallen prey to the enemy’s schemes, it is easy to make wrong decisions. These can lead to harmful lifestyles at best and enslaving addictions at worst.
How can we manage to protect our children in a world that seeks to enslave in sin? How did this woman successfully protect her child?
Jochebed had three character qualities essential for all mothers in every time and age.
- A Woman of Faith: Hebrews 11:23 says, “By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
Jochebed saw her beautiful newborn and believed God would protect him. God rewarded her faith in an amazing way.
- A Woman of Action: Jochebed recognized something had to be done. When God gave her an idea she took action immediately.
She prepared a basket to hold her baby. Then she took it to the Nile River and hid it among the reeds asking her older daughter, Miriam, to stand watch.
- A Woman of Surrender: Jochebed willingly surrendered her child to God. Though undoubtedly grieving, she put her baby into the river’s waters trusting God to provide for his protection. God did not let her down.
Soon the Egyptian princess came to bathe. She heard the child’s crying and discovered the little ark. She decided to allow the infant to live and keep him as her own, giving him the name Moses.
God was faithful to Jochebed, even allowing her to nurse her baby for a time. Yet soon she had to surrender Moses back to the princess. Jochebed had no idea what influences would mold her son, but she trusted God to keep him.
Is it your prayer that your children be protected from harmful influences that can kill them spiritually and emotionally?
If so, ask God to help you develop the character qualities of Jochebed.
- Be a woman of faith in God and don’t rely on your own abilities.
- Be a woman of action by praying for each child, asking God for a plan. Be aware of their involvements and provide alternative activities if needed. Teach them God’s word and be a positive example.
- Be a woman of surrender before God and don’t try to control every situation. Recognize that God kept Moses in an ungodly land and He can keep your child, too.
Finally, don’t despair! Read the rest of Moses’ story. You will find that this young man made a big mistake, causing him to run for his life. Jochebed may have been distraught over this unplanned event. But God used it to train Moses further so when the time was right he was prepared to accomplish God’s calling in his life.
Seek to be a mother of faith, action, and surrender; God will honor your trust. Even if circumstances don’t turn out as you expect, God is not finished with you or your children yet. He is still at work.
Desperate times warrant desperate measures, but remember that God is always in control.
If this lesson has spoken to your heart… if God has used it, please be sure to leave a comment and please share on your social media outlets using the hashtag #MATRIARCHS
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
