In the grand narrative of Exodus, one figure often overlooked is the woman whose courage set the stage for Israel’s deliverance: Moses’ mother. Known by name as Jochebed in later passages (Exodus 6:20), her faith, ingenuity, and love exemplify God’s providence working through ordinary people. Her role in the story of redemption is a testament to the significance of small, faithful acts in the unfolding of God’s plan.
To appreciate Jochebed’s contribution, we must consider the grim context in which she lived. The Israelites had grown numerous in Egypt, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would become as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). However, their growing population sparked fear in the heart of Pharaoh, who viewed them as a threat to his kingdom (Exodus 1:9-10). Pharaoh feared the Israelites’ increasing numbers and, in a brutal attempt to curtail their growth, enslaved them and decreed the death of every newborn Hebrew boy (Exodus 1:22).
Imagine the anguish of a mother giving birth under such oppressive conditions. Jochebed’s decision to defy Pharaoh wasn’t made lightly; it was a profound act of faith. The Bible tells us that when she saw Moses was “a fine child” (Exodus 2:2), she hid him for three months. This description, while seemingly simple, is rich with meaning. Some interpret “fine” to mean that Moses was physically healthy and beautiful, while others suggest it hints at a divine purpose recognized by his parents. Hebrews 11:23 commends Jochebed and her husband, Amram, for their faith, noting that “they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
Jochebed’s story demonstrates the intersection of faith and action. While she trusted in God’s sovereignty, she also took deliberate steps to protect her son. This balance is a recurring theme in Scripture: human responsibility working in harmony with divine providence. Like Noah building the ark or David facing Goliath, Jochebed’s courage and ingenuity were vital in God’s unfolding plan.
Her faith, ingenuity, and love exemplify God’s providence working through ordinary people.
The significance of her actions extends beyond her immediate family. By preserving Moses’ life, Jochebed played a pivotal role in the deliverance of Israel. Moses would grow up to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, receive the Law at Mount Sinai, and share the covenant that God established between Him and His people. None of this would have been possible without Jochebed’s faith and determination.
For Christians and Messianic Jews alike, Jochebed’s story carries profound theological implications. Her life illustrates the principle that God often uses what the culture of the day may consider weak and overlooked to accomplish His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27). She reminds us that faith requires both trust in God and bold action. As we dive deeper into her story, we’ll uncover lessons about surrender, providence, and legacy that resonate across generations.
The Life of Jochebed
As a daughter of Levi also from the tribe of Levi, Jochebed was part of a lineage marked by both complexity and promise. The Levites, known for their fierce loyalty, had a storied past, including, at one point, the sale of their brother Joseph into slavery.
Her decision to protect her son Moses, despite the immense risk, highlights her profound faith and trust in God’s providence. In a time of great oppression and fear, Jochebed’s actions set her apart as a heroic mother whose legacy would shape the future of the Hebrew nation. Her story is a testament to the power of faith and the impact of a mother’s love in the unfolding of God’s plan. And her story is also an encouragement for us today, as believers, to walk by faith rather than by site, no matter what the circumstance.
A Mother’s Faith in the Midst of Oppression
Jochebed’s story unfolds against the backdrop of systemic oppression. Pharaoh’s decree to kill every male Hebrew child (Exodus 1:22) wasn’t only a horrific act of cruelty but also a direct challenge to God’s promise to Abraham. Yet, it is in this darkness that Jochebed’s light of faith shines brightest. Her courage wasn’t born from ignorance of the danger but from a deep-seated trust in God’s sovereignty.
The act of hiding Moses for three months (Exodus 2:2) required immense resourcefulness and resilience. Newborns aren’t quiet, and the Egyptian authorities were undoubtedly vigilant in enforcing Pharaoh’s command. Some historians speculate that Jochebed may have relied on the support of her community or devised creative methods to conceal Moses’ cries. This period of hiding highlights the lengths to which faith-filled parents will go to protect their children, reflecting God’s own protective nature over His people.
Scripture emphasizes that Jochebed saw Moses as “fine” or “beautiful” (Exodus 2:2). This description is more than an observation of physical appearance; it is a declaration of purpose. Acts 7:20 recounts Stephen’s testimony, stating that Moses was “no ordinary child.” Jochebed’s recognition of this divine purpose likely strengthened her resolve to act boldly, even in the face of death.
As mentioned earlier, her faith is further commended in Hebrews 11:23, where the writer highlights that Moses’ parents “were not afraid of the king’s edict.” This statement underscores the relationship between faith and fear. While fear is often a natural response to danger, faith enables believers to act courageously despite their fears. Jochebed’s faith serves as a powerful example for modern believers facing their own “Pharaohs”—challenges that seem insurmountable yet are no match for God’s power.
Jochebed’s actions demonstrate that faith isn’t passive; it’s active and participatory. Her willingness to defy Pharaoh and trust in God’s provision foreshadows the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ. Just as Moses was preserved to deliver Israel out of the bondage of Egypt in obedience to the Lord, Jesus was sent to be the Savior for all humanity, delivering us from the bondage of sin. This parallel invites us as believers to consider how our own acts of faith might contribute to God’s redemptive plan.
Pharaoh’s Edict and the Hebrew Midwives
The Pharaoh of Egypt, gripped by fear that the Hebrew slaves might one day outnumber and overpower their Egyptian masters, issued a chilling decree: every Hebrew baby boy was to be killed at birth. This edict was a desperate and cruel attempt to control the growing
These midwives, tasked with the horrific duty of carrying out Pharaoh’s command, chose instead to fear God and preserve the lives of the newborn baby boys. Their defiance was an act of profound courage and faith that directly challenged the authority of Pharaoh. By saving these innocent lives, the Hebrew midwives, including Jochebed, played a crucial role in God’s redemptive plan. Their actions remind us that faith often requires us to stand against injustice, even at great personal risk.
The Courageous Plan of the Hebrew Midwives and Divine Timing
Jochebed’s faith is further exemplified in the courageous plan she devised to save Moses when she could no longer hide him. Exodus 2:3 describes how she crafted a basket from papyrus, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed her son in it before setting it among the reeds along the Nile River. This act was both practical and deeply symbolic. The Hebrew word for “basket” (“teivah”) is the same word used for Noah’s ark in Genesis 6:14, drawing a parallel between these two vessels of salvation.
This connection underscores the theme of deliverance through water, a motif that recurs throughout Scripture. Just as Noah’s ark preserved humanity and Moses’ basket preserved Moses, the servant deliverer of Israel, baptism symbolizes the believer’s passage from death to life through Jesus Christ. As believers today, these parallels reinforce the continuity between the Torah and the New Testament, highlighting God’s consistent plan of redemption.
The placement of Moses among the reeds wasn’t an act of abandonment but an act of faith. Jochebed entrusted her child to God while taking deliberate steps to ensure his safety. She stationed his sister, Miriam, nearby to watch over him (Exodus 2:4), which demonstrated a balance of faith and action. This moment invites us as believers to reflect on our own “baskets”—the situations where we are to walk by faith and obedience, releasing control, and trusting in God’s providence.
God’s hand is evident in what happens next. Pharaoh’s daughter discovers the basket and, moved with compassion, decides to adopt the child despite her father’s decree (Exodus 2:5-6). Some believe this act reveals the softening of hearts that only God can orchestrate. The irony is profound: the very household that sought to destroy Moses becomes the instrument of his preservation and upbringing.
Jochebed’s quick thinking allowed her to remain part of Moses’ life. Through Miriam’s intervention, Jochebed was hired as Moses’ nurse (Exodus 2:7-9). This arrangement not only ensured Moses’ survival but also allowed Jochebed to instill in him the faith and identity that would later define his mission. Her influence during these formative years can’t be overstated. As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
This section of the story highlights God’s ability to work through unlikely circumstances. Pharaoh’s daughter’s compassion, Miriam’s boldness, and Jochebed’s faith all converge to fulfill God’s plan. It is a reminder that no detail is too small for God’s attention and that His purposes often unfold in ways that surpass human understanding.
Jochebed’s Legacy as Moses’ Mother and Her Role in God’s Plan
Jochebed’s legacy extends far beyond her lifetime. Through her faith and courage, she set the stage for one of the most significant events in biblical history: the Exodus. Moses, as the mediator of the Old Covenant, and servant helping to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt, foreshadowed the ultimate deliverance that would come through Jesus. Just as Moses led Israel out of physical slavery, Jesus leads humanity out of the bondage of sin.
The parallels between Moses and Jesus are profound. Both were born under the threat of death—Moses from Pharaoh’s decree and Jesus from King Herod’s orders (Matthew 2:16). Both were preserved by divine intervention and went on to become deliverers for their people. For Jews, these connections underscore the continuity between the Torah and the New Testament, revealing God’s redemptive plan woven throughout Scripture.
Jochebed’s story also invites reflection on the role of women in God’s plan of salvation. Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jochebed demonstrated remarkable faith and obedience. Both women trusted God with their children, knowing that their lives had a higher purpose. Jochebed taught Moses about the One True Living God during his formative years, instilling in him the biblical truth that would shape his faith and prepare him for his future role in delivering the Israelites from bondage. This parallel serves as an encouragement to mothers and caregivers today, reminding them that their faith and influence can shape future generations.
Just as Moses led Israel out of physical slavery, Jesus leads humanity out of the bondage of sin.
The theological implications of Jochebed’s story extend to the concept of covenant. Through Moses, God established the Old Covenant with Israel, giving them the Law and setting them apart as His chosen people. Through Jesus, God established the New Covenant, offering salvation to all who believe. Jochebed’s faith in preserving Moses thus becomes a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God’s eternal plan.
For us as modern believers, Jochebed’s story is a reminder that our actions, no matter how small they may seem at the time, can have eternal, nation-shaking significance. Her decision to trust God and act boldly in the face of danger not only saved her son but also paved the way for the salvation of an entire nation. This legacy of faith challenges us to consider how our own choices might contribute to God’s kingdom work.
The Ripple Effects of Faith
One of the most delightful aspects of Jochebed’s story is how her courage and trust in God influenced not only her immediate family but also the course of history. Miriam, her daughter and Moses’ sister, grew up to be a prophetess and a leader among the Israelites (Exodus 15:20-21). Her quick thinking and courage in approaching Pharaoh’s daughter to seek a nurse for Moses showcased her shrewdness and underscored the family’s faith and the divine plan at work in their lives. Moses, her son, became the servant deliverer of Israel in obedience to the Lord and a central figure in the biblical narrative. Even Aaron, her other son, played a crucial role as the first high priest of Israel.
Jochebed’s story reminds us that acts of faith and obedience can have far-reaching consequences. How many mothers have prayed for their children, not knowing the full impact of their prayers? Jochebed’s faithfulness is a testament to the power of trusting God with the unknown. Her story encourages us to view our own challenges as opportunities to partner with God in His redemptive work.
The surprise in Jochebed’s story also lies in the way God orchestrates events for His glory. Who would have imagined that the child condemned by Pharaoh would one day stand before him to demand the release of God’s people? This irony highlights the sovereignty and wisdom of God, who uses the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).
For Christians and Jews alike, Jochebed’s life is an invitation to trust in God’s promises, act boldly in faith, and release our fears into His hands. As we reflect on her story, may we find encouragement to live with the same trust and courage, knowing that God’s plans are always greater than we can imagine.
