Nurturing of Mothers

Reading:

Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

2 Timothy 1:5 “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

Hebrews 11:11 “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”

James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Introduction:

Today we are celebrating Mother’s Day. It is a day we have decided to recognize as a country for the woman who carried us until the day God brought us into the world.

Do most mothers want a day for themselves?

Probably not; but everyone likes to be appreciated.

Think of all that your mom has done for you.

What could we do to show our gratefulness?

Never enough.

The passages read by: ____________ bring out particular traits of mothers.

The proverbs passage highlights a mother’s strength and dignity being traits which typify them.

The 2 Timothy passage emphasizes the sincere faith of moms.

The Hebrews passage recognizes a faith which is steadfast and is rewarded.

The James passage really doesn’t say anything about moms; but you show me a mom that doesn’t pray for their children.

Mom’s are a big part of our lives, and those who are a big part of our lives and should be given some praise.

Today I would like to praise Moses’ mom.

In Exodus 2 we have the account in history for the birth of Moses.

What was different about the Birth of Moses when compared to every other birth?

Exodus 1:15-22 “Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.””

The King instructed all the midwives to kill any male, born to the Jewish women; but to save the females.

The term “Hebrew” here wasn’t necessary speaking to their lineage, it is supposed that Pharaoh and Egyptians used this term to denote those with a “gypsy” like life.

It seems to denote the “lower” class of people who aren’t from their country.

These midwives were of lower class and slaves to the King.

They did exactly what their job depicts: help through the birthing process.

They would’ve had first sight at each babies gender before anyone else, since they were “catching”.

Transition:

The 2 women of the lower class here are described as fearing God.

Aren’t there a lot of people who hold the testimony of fearing God at this time in history?

Sure.. Then why aren’t they named for all history to read about?

I’m not sure why God chooses 1 over the other; but we can understand this point:

Fearing God, then acting from that fear.

Shiphrah, and Puah acted to obey the Lord instead of the King He placed over the Jews.

They weren’t the only midwives in town though.

How many obeyed the King’s plan to genocide a whole generation of men.

Transition:

When thinking through Moses’ life and the miracle we are familiar with his parents must have lived close to God.

Can you name Moses’s parents?

Numbers 26:59 “The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister.”

The Mother of Moses’ name was Jochebed.

Every Mother has:

A Name and Heritage

The name Amram means: “High People”

That kind of definition for a name would be something to live up to wouldn’t it?

These “high people” would have expectations from the community wouldn’t they?

Would they be looked upon for leadership?

Illustration:

A bunch of kids attend a VBS and there is one child who’s parent is the teacher.

The teacher gives instructions for a task to be done that the other kids aren’t sure of.

What do they do, knowing that the one child belong’s to the teacher?

They will usually look at them for what to do next.

Why?

Because in that moment they hold a “higher” position of knowledge for what is expected of them.

Connection:

The high people of Amram were the leaders in the community for the spiritual direction.

Transition:

That expectation of a “high people” is joined together with:

The name Jochebed means: “Yahweh is glory”

Glory means:

Brightness, Luster, Splendor.

This could be exemplified by the Sun.

There is no glory brighter than the sun in our solar system.

It is the center and provides life through it’s energy; without it much wouldn’t exist.

Connection:

The moon has a brightness; which isn’t it’s own. It is only reflecting the source of light; the sun.

The Glory of YHWH is the source for all life and we should be like the moon reflecting that glory to the world so they don’t have to walk in darkness.

Amram and Jochebed’s names would be known by people and brought an expectation to be the ones they look to in difficult spiritual times.

Transition:

Their names would bring a high calling; especially when it is coupled with their:

Family Heritage.

Both Moses’ father and mother were from the same Jewish tribe.

Exodus 2:1 “Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman.”

Being of the tribe of Levi brought certain duties.

The tribe of Levi were to be set apart for service to the sanctuary.

Numbers 1:50 “But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle.”

The tribe of Levi would have no share of land when they enter the promised land.

Nothing to pass down to the next generation.

They would live their lives depending on all others for everything.

Joshua 14:4 “For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion was given to the Levites in the land, but only cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for their livestock and their substance.”

The tribe of Levi were to minister to the people.

Transition:

Then as each family has the potential. Amram and Jochebed were called to:

Be Parents

Exodus 2:2 “The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.”

Transition:

How many children were put to death by the genocide ordered by the King before Jochebed gave birth?

No one knows; but there may have been some, or many.

What would that do to you as a mom being pregnant?

Maybe you wouldn’t tell anyone you were pregnant.

Maybe you wouldn’t go outside the home for fear of people seeing your body change.

As a parent you protect your children; but something that takes place with a mom that is much different then a man.

They become the

Protector

Exodus 2:2 “The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.”

The Mom right from the moment of conception protects the child.

Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”

The womb is a protective place for the Lord to perform His handy-work.

The mom is thrust into the position of protector.

Every movement is more calculated by the mom.

They begin holding the belly even if there isn’t a bump.

Now a days the mom is given instructions for what is best and not good for the babies development in the womb.

No coffee or even caffeine.

No Alcohol.

No Smoking or even being around those who are.

No drugs or harmful chemicals.

A whole list of foods to avoid.

No heavy exercise.

Don’t skip meals.

Avoid high heels.

Avoid some medicines.

Here is a limited list of no’s for mom’s if they want the best developing for their child.

Point:

It is a sacrifice for mom’s to protect their children, right from the start.

Guess what, that doesn’t stop as they grow either.

They will always strive to protect them.

Transition:

They will always protect them; but the calling is also to be:

The Provider

Exodus 2:3 “When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.”

While in the womb what is happening to their bodies?

The world in this regard will constantly depict each child growing in a way that is descriptive.

They liken a child to a virus that lives because it steals life from the host.

That isn’t entirely accurate is it?

Every life forming has nutritional needs and those needs are met through the mother’s giving.

Jochebed couldn’t hide Moses after 3 months.

He must have been a screamer.

She made a new protective place.

The word here that is used in the Hebrew is very telling and interesting:

It is Tevah; which is the same word that is used for Noah’s Ark.

Here yet again one commentator so correctly states: “God once again uses a water vessel to preserve life-in this case, that of the baby Moses and his entire people.

Transition:

Pay attention to the description for where Jochebed placed Moses’ basket:

Exodus 2:3 “When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.”

Thoughts:

I wonder if she placed him in a spot that would keep him from floating down the river?

I wonder if Jochebed knew where the King’s daughter would bathe and what day and time.

I wonder a lot of things that the Lord will reveal to me when I get to heaven.

Point:

Jochebed placed her child in the hands of the Lord for protection and provision.

His protection and provision grew into the one who God used to save them from slavery.

Transition:

In this whole process for Moses Jochebed was:

Teaching

Exodus 2:4 “And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.”

Moses was the younger brother to Miriam and Aaron.

The edict must have been sometime in Miriam’s life: Approx 7 yrs old.

Children are constantly learning, and as parents you are trying your best to teach them to fear God and live for Him.

Illustration:

There is a song that was written by a wife as a poem then sung by her husband. It is a poem which teaches a truth.

It was in 1974 and it was #1. It says this:

My child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it And as he grew, he'd say "I'm gonna be like you, Dad You know I'm gonna be like you"

The ending:

I've long since retired, my son's moved away I called him up just the other day I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind" He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time" "You see, my new job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu" "But it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad It's been sure nice talkin' to you"

And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me He'd grown up just like me My boy was just like me

This song teaches what children do and how they learn:

They are learn through what they see and experience.

Basically as parents: What we do!

Connection:

Mom’s teach children tenderness, care, protection, providing, and sacrifices.

This is shown through Miriam’s looking on for what was to happen to her brother.

If he began to be pushed into the current would she let him go, or would she catch the basket?

Transition:

Mothers can teach a lot with just a look or a loving response; but more than anything how they live their lives is what is learned by children.

Miriam has motherly instincts; but wouldn’t know how to act on them without first seeing mom do it.

Conclusion:

Every mom has a name that defines them to those who know them.

Each mom belongs to a family heritage that brings expectations for all who are part of the family.

With a child there are parents, given to them by God! Hand selected.

The mom is the first protector; but doesn’t stop protecting.

Because that is a serious job she is built with.

The mom is the first provider for each part of a child’s health.

As they grow she oversees the proper nutrition and direction.

The children are taught by example of the parents; but the Mom will be who lives out:

Self-less love, Sacrifice, importance of family.

That examples that won’t be forgotten!

Mom’s are an essential part of our lives; just as Jochebed was for Moses and the whole Jewish nation.

Happy Mothers day!

Pray.