Moses is one of the most significant figures in the Bible. His life story is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, and he is known as a leader, prophet, and the one through whom God gave the Ten Commandments. But behind Moses‘ great leadership and achievements lies an important and often overlooked figure—his mother, Jochebed.
Jochebed’s role in Moses’ life was crucial. She demonstrated immense faith and courage in a time of great fear and oppression. Her actions helped to save her son from a decree that threatened his life, and her love and care shaped the man who would go on to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In this article, we will explore who Moses’ mother was, the context of her life, and her impact on Moses’ journey.
Jochebed’s Background
Jochebed’s story is primarily told in the book of Exodus, though we learn more about her through historical and genealogical references. According to Exodus 6:20, Jochebed was the daughter of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and she was married to Amram, also from the tribe of Levi. This means that Moses came from a family with a strong connection to the tribe of Levi, which would later play a prominent role in the priesthood of Israel.
Jochebed’s name is derived from the Hebrew word “Yehovah,” meaning “God,” and her name means “Jehovah is glory.” This suggests that she, like her husband Amram, likely had a deep faith in God, which is reflected in the way she raised Moses.
The Pharaoh’s Decree
The story of Moses begins in the context of an Israelite nation enslaved in Egypt. The Israelites had multiplied greatly, and the Pharaoh, fearing their increasing numbers, issued a harsh decree. In Exodus 1:22, the Pharaoh commanded that every Hebrew boy born be thrown into the Nile River, while allowing the girls to live.
This decree placed Jochebed in a heartbreaking position. She had just given birth to a son, Moses, and like any mother, she wanted to protect him. However, this was not an easy task. The Egyptian authorities were watching, and any attempt to hide or protect a child could result in severe punishment or death.
Jochebed’s Act of Faith
Rather than giving in to fear, Jochebed acted with great courage and faith in God. In Exodus 2:2-3, we are told that when Moses was born, Jochebed saw that he was a “fine child” and hid him for three months. She kept him hidden in her home, shielding him from the Pharaoh’s soldiers who would have been searching for male Hebrew babies to throw into the river.
Eventually, it became impossible to hide Moses any longer. His cries would have been heard, and there was the ever-present danger that someone would discover him. So, Jochebed took a bold step: she made a basket of bulrushes, coated it with tar and pitch to make it waterproof, and placed Moses in the basket. She then set the basket afloat on the Nile River, with the hope that God would protect her child (Exodus 2:3).
In a moment of pure faith, Jochebed trusted that God would intervene. She did not know what would happen to Moses, but she knew that she had done everything she could to save him. It is a powerful example of a mother’s love and trust in God during a time of crisis.
Miriam’s Role
While Jochebed made the courageous decision to place Moses in the river, she did not do so alone. Her daughter, Miriam, Moses’ older sister, played a crucial role in ensuring that Moses was safely discovered. Miriam watched from a distance as the basket floated on the Nile, waiting to see what would happen.
When Pharaoh’s daughter, the princess of Egypt, came to the river to bathe, she noticed the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it. When she opened the basket and saw the baby crying, she immediately felt compassion for him (Exodus 2:6). Miriam, seeing the opportunity, approached Pharaoh’s daughter and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Pharaoh’s daughter agreed, and it was through this interaction that Jochebed was able to nurse her own son, while also being paid for her care.
This is where Jochebed’s wisdom and faith come into full view. She did not only act out of desperation, but also with great strategic thinking, trusting that God would guide the course of events. By placing Moses in the hands of Pharaoh’s daughter, Jochebed ensured that her son would be raised in the palace, away from the threats of the Pharaoh, while still having the opportunity to raise him herself for a period of time.
Moses’ Upbringing in Egypt
Moses was raised as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, but his biological mother, Jochebed, had a significant influence on his early years. During the time Moses was nursed and cared for by his mother, she likely imparted to him the faith and traditions of the Hebrew people. According to Jewish tradition, Jochebed’s influence was profound, and it is believed that she instilled in Moses a strong sense of identity as a Hebrew, even while he lived in the Egyptian palace.
Jochebed’s role as Moses’ mother is seen as an act of obedience to God’s plan. Despite the great risks she faced, she trusted that God would use Moses for a greater purpose. She was not only the mother who gave Moses life but also the one who prepared him for the destiny that lay ahead.
The Significance of Jochebed’s Faith
Jochebed’s actions reflect the deep faith and courage required to act according to God’s will, even in the most difficult circumstances. In Hebrews 11:23, Jochebed is mentioned as one of the heroes of faith: “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.”
This verse highlights the central role that faith played in Jochebed’s actions. She did not act out of fear but out of trust in God’s sovereignty and plan for her son. In this, she serves as a model for all believers, showing that even in the face of great adversity, trusting in God’s guidance can lead to miraculous outcomes.
Jochebed’s Legacy
Jochebed’s legacy extends beyond her role as Moses’ mother. She was a woman of great faith, wisdom, and courage, and her influence shaped the future of the entire nation of Israel. Moses, under God’s direction, would go on to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. But the foundation for Moses’ leadership was laid in the early years of his life, primarily through the care and teachings of his mother.
Jochebed is also a reminder that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Though she was a Hebrew woman living in slavery, her faith and actions made her an instrument in God’s plan to free His people. Through her, we see that God can work through anyone, regardless of their status, to accomplish His will.
Conclusion
In summary, Moses’ mother, Jochebed, was a woman of remarkable faith and courage. She defied the Pharaoh’s oppressive decree to save her son and placed him in God’s hands, trusting that He would protect him. Through her love, wisdom, and faith, she played a pivotal role in the story of Moses and the salvation of Israel.
Jochebed’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting in God’s plan, especially in times of difficulty and uncertainty. Her legacy lives on as an example of how ordinary individuals, through faith and obedience, can impact the world in extraordinary ways.
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