God's Providence Working Through a Mother’s Loving Influence

Today is a day when we take the time to honor the one human being who unselfishly gives herself to her children time and time again, without asking for anything in return.

If your life has been blessed by the touch of a godly mother, then you have enjoyed one of this world’s greatest treasures and blessings. Not everyone has enjoyed this great blessing but those who have will go to their grave remembering the love of their mother.

We set aside one day a year to honor mothers. The majority of them deserve it, and they truly are VIPs. Abraham Lincoln declared,

“no man is poor who has had a godly mother.” - Abraham Lincoln

A Spanish proverb reads,

“An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.” - Spanish Proverb

Someone else has said,

“The instruction received at Mother’s knee, together with the pious and sweet souvenirs of the fireside, are never effaced entirely from the soul.” - Anonymous

Ladies, if you are or have ever been a mother or adoptive mother, stepmother, or if you have ever suffered through a miscarriage. You are a Mom! We ask you to stand at this time so we can recognize you.

Mothers Stand

Church let’s say to our Mom’s,

“Thank you Moms! We love you very much!”

We have a gift for each of you today! So please remain standing so our mission friend helpers can bring you your gift.

Scripture Memory

Galatians 6:9–10 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Opening Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:1–8 ESV

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 ESV

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Proverbs 23:22–25 ESV

22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. 25 Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.

The Providence of God Working Through a Mother’s Loving influence

Introduction

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said,

“People are what their mothers make them.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

To a degree, that statement is very much true. The Bible teaches us of some women who had an evil influence on their children.

There are actually quite a few bad mother’s to choose from in Scripture:

Athaliah

Athaliah, the wife of King Jehoram, the daughter of King Ahab and the only queen of Judah, was certainly bad (2 Kings 11).

After the death of her son, she killed all the members of the royal family and took the throne, but I guess we can’t count her since technically, she was the worst grandmother of all time.

If only she had remembered the names of all of her grandchildren, she would have realized she missed one (Joash, who was crowned king a few years later, 2 Kings 11). In fact, Joash’s aunt, Jehosheba, was more of a mother than Athaliah could ever hope to be. She hid him from her when he was just a young boy.

Then, there is Herodias, the wife of Philip the tetrarch, whom she deserted to marry his brother Herod Antipas. Talk about a messed up family.

She was responsible for the death of John the Baptist after her daughter’s famous dance.

Mark 6:22–25 ESV

22 For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

Well, let’s just say that wasn’t a pleasant way for a prophet of God to depart for heaven.

Yes, some of the greatest scoundrels of history have had equally bad mothers, but many of the most honorable men and women of history have had good, God-fearing mothers. The Bible demonstrates those to us, as well.

Think of Sarah, Rebekah, Jochebed, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Mary. All of them godly women who helped to raise godly men.

History tells us that George Washington's mother was a pious woman. Abraham Lincoln claimed that all of who he was came from his mother’s influence, as he said,

“All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.” - Abraham Lincoln

Nero’s Mom

On the other hand, Nero's mother, Julia Agrippina, also known as, Agrippina the Younger, has been described by both ancient and modern sources as being “ruthless, ambitious, violent, and domineering.” Many ancient historians accuse her of poisoning Emperor Claudius.

It is easy to see how Nero was one of the most violent and insane emperors Rome ever knew.

It is also easy to see the correlation between good mothers and honorable men in two of our greatest American Presidents.

Anna Jarvis and Mother’s Day

Today we celebrate a special day, Mother’s Day, which is meant to give due honor to the woman who gave us birth and life. Though we often have the feeling of gratitude towards our mothers we do not confess it often.

Mothers Day is celebrated to share those feelings with our mothers. To spend some time with her and make her feel special.

We celebrate Mother’s day today because a young twelve year old, named Anna Jarvis, listened to her mother, Ann Jarvis, teach a Sunday School class on the subject “Mothers in the Bible.”

Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mother’s Day from a small prayer her mother said to conclude her lesson on 'Mothers of the Bible.’ It went something like this according to Anna Jarvis.

"I hope that someone, sometime will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it."

Anna never forgot this prayer. And at her Mother’s graveside service, she recalled the prayer and said, "...by the grace of God, you shall have that Mothers Day."

By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state of the Union. And in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.

Mothers have a great influence upon their children, as do Fathers and Grandparents. God has used godly mothers throughout history to shape leaders that would experience his providential guiding throughout their lives.

Today, we are going to witness God’s providence working through a mother’s loving influence as she seeks to protect her child from harm, even in the midst of an unusual separation. Join me in Exodus 2! Please stand in honor of God’s revealed word.

Exodus 2:1–11 ESV

1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 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. 4 And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. 5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” 11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.

Prayer

On one hand, this biblical account concerns a baby born a humble Israelite but, surprisingly, adopted as a royal Egyptian.

On the other hand, it forms part of a cheerful reminder of God’s careful provision of a deliverer for his people.

Context

Exodus 1:5-7 reports that from 70 sons of Jacob arose a great number of the sons of Israel.

As we read on we learn that a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. He became fearful at the number of Israelites in his kingdom.

So he made them his slaves and afflicted them with hard labor. He also tried to convince the Hebrew mid-wives to kill the sons of Israel. The daughters could be spared, but the sons had to die!

Naturally, the midwives, fearing God, could not take the life of the precious baby boys. So 1:22 tells us that

Exodus 1:22 ESV

22 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.”

This decree is the cultural basis in which this account is set.

This morning, I’d like to share with you

Four ways Mothers can partner with God to lovingly influence the world!

1. Loving Mother’s Will Do Almost Anything to Protect Their Children.

Like any child, his parents helped Moses get off to an interesting start, but his story is greater than the sum of his parents. His story is also the revealing of a miracle working providential God.

Exodus 2:1 ESV

1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman.

Moses tells us that he was born into the priestly lineage of the house of Levi. Moses was unquestionably of the tribe that was specially designed by God to provide the religious and spiritual leadership for the Israelites.

Verse 2

Exodus 2:2 ESV

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

Jochebed – Ex. 6:20; Num. 26:59.

Numbers 26:59 ESV

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.

Jochebed is a great example of a loving mother doing what it takes to protect her child.

Because of her love, she hid Moses for three months against the decree of Pharoah.

Now please understand that this does not mean that Moses’ Father, Amran, was not involved. He most certainly was, as is made clear in...

Hebrews 11:23 ESV

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

Amran was expected to work long hours as a slave, so Jochebed was the one who had to carry out this risky plan of protection. I am sure Amran helped out as well, but the majority of this risk lay at the feet of Jochebed to protect their son.

Verse 3

Exodus 2:3 ESV

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.

When she could no longer hid him in her home, she constructed a tebah, the same word we see in the Flood account. Noah built a tebah! Jochebed built a miniature ark for Moses.

Jochebed was doing her best to conceal her son.

Describe the ARK and the way that it was used.

Both Noah and Moses were deliverers who were called by God to lead people out of danger and into God’s unfolding plan of worldwide redemption.

A redemption that ultimately was fulfilled through Christ’s work at Calvary on our behalf.

Verse 4

Exodus 2:4 ESV

4 And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.

Notice that this plan of protection involved the whole family.

Miriam, a young girl, was not merely watching to see what happened, but rather she was on guard so as to know anything that would happen and be able to act accordingly. She was stationed there to babysit her brother from a distance.

Application:

What we see here is that it is our responsibility to protect our children from harm. Only faith in the Risen Son of God will set us above the ensnaring fear of man.

To raise children in our culture, we must guard their hearts and minds from many harmful things, while at the same time filling their minds with the wonderful, powerful, perfect Word of God.

2. In His Providence, God Intervenes in the Plans of Loving Mothers.

Exodus 2:5–6 ESV

5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

The irony here is that the place of death for newborn boys has become, by the providence of God, the place of Moses’ protection.

He was placed in the reeds to be hidden from sight on the bank, Yet he was discovered, and by an Egyptian!

This was clearly God at work, providing deliverance in an unexpected yet amazingly wonderful way! Isn’t that how he works! Look at the cross if you have any doubts!

God is giving Moses a second mother, but as we will see he is not going to lose his biological mother either.

One can imagine Pharaoh’s daughter telling him the story of his rescue many times. She probably told him how precious he was to her that first moment that she set eyes on him. Any adoptive mother can testify to this possibility.

She saw a precious little Hebrew boy and wanted him for herself.

Like Jochebed, she also violated the Pharaoh’s edict, but apparently with no consequence.

Application:

While we lay out great plans for the future of our children, we have to trust that God’s plans are far above our own. So as we plan, we must prayerfully allow God to change our direction according to His will!

3. In His Providence, God Can Provide For Mothers Even Under Unusual Circumstances.

Verses 7-9

Exodus 2:7–9 ESV

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.

Having faced her worst fears, God turned those fears toward hope and salvation.

God often raises up friends for his people even among those who may seem to be our enemies in our time of need.

She was actually paid to raise her son in his early years by the very family that sought to kill her child.

Oh! The Irony of it all! God is amazing! He can take seemingly harsh circumstances and turn them into opportunities for his people.

Application:

When you feel like you can’t see a way through, understand and trust that God’s provision will be sufficient even in the most unusual of circumstances.

4. In His Providence, God Can Work Through the Influence of a Loving Mother.

God used them to do what they were good at and what their culture especially honored in women: preserving and raising a child.

Jochebed’s Influence!

During the early years of Moses’ life, she taught him about his family, about his people, and about his godly heritage.

His familiarity with Aaron and Miriam during the exodus from Egypt demonstrate his knowledge of his family. As does verse 11!

Exodus 2:11 ESV

11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.

Pharoah’s Daughter’s Influence!

Exodus 2:10 ESV

10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

She named him Moses, a relatively common Egyptian name, meaning “son” or “to beget a son.” Most likely, she chose this name because it sounds something like mōšēh, the Hebrew active participle of the verb māšāh, “draw out,” which connects to the circumstances of Moses’ discovery and being “drawn out” of the water with the idea of him being her son.

Through this name, the princess both consciously honors the Hebrew origins of her son and also makes him legitimately Egyptian with a name in her own language that emphasizes that she is adopting a son.

Acts 7:21–22 ESV

21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

Comment on the importance of Motherhood!

Application:

Listen up Mothers! If you walk close to the Lord daily, and love your children as God has instructed, then your influence combined with the providence of God can do amazing things in the lives of your family. Never doubt your ability to influence when you walk with God!

The providential protection of Moses from the water of the Nile echoes backwards and forwards in our text; backwards to the salvation of humanity from the judgment of the flood by Noah, and forwards to the Israelites’ future salvation from the waters of the Reed Sea.

Israel’s salvation is our salvation, as we know that they were the line that would produce David, Solomon, and ultimately Jesus Christ, the very son of God.