Many people don't know what to make of Moses' mother placing her son in a basket on the Nile. Without understanding the situation properly, it can seem reckless—cruel even. But this was not a careless act. It was a calculated move. Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed, trusted the Lord, but that doesn't mean they weren't strategic in their actions. They diligently worked out a careful plan. They thoughtfully prayed. And so, when they could no longer hide their son, Jochebed placed Moses' basket at the right bend in the river at just the right time.
It wasn't a coincidence that the basket drifted near to the place where Pharaoh's daughter was bathing. It wasn't a coincidence that at just the right moment, Moses' sister Miriam was there to suggest a suitable wet nurse (Jochebed herself).
Amram and Jochebed trusted the Lord and took a calculated risk. Letting go of the basket must have been one of the hardest things that poor mother ever had to do, but she knew she wasn't just leaving Moses to the river; she was placing him in God's hands.
Miriam got a front-row seat to her mother's tremendous faith, and one day Moses got to hear the story as well.
Parents, I encourage you to practice your faith in front of your children. Be an example of extraordinary trust in the Lord. Your God-honoring choices and actions will teach your kids far more than all the words you will ever speak.
"But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and placed it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile" (Exodus 2:3).
Prayer:
God, help me live out my faith before my family so that they can see how trustworthy You are. Deepen my faith for Your glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Read Exodus 1:22-2:10.
Copyright © Michael Youssef
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Michael Youssef founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission to "Equip the Saints and Seek the Lost." The church has since grown to a congregation of over 3000. This church on a hill was the launching pad for Leading the Way's international ministry. Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef passionately proclaims uncompromising Truth through radio and television programs, the Internet, and through books, periodicals, and other resources. Programs are translated and broadcast into 20 languages, covering more than 200 countries. This Atlanta-based organization partners internationally with in-country follow-up teams to encourage believers in their faith, helping God's kingdom to grow around the world.
