Faith & Fruit For The Future

Introduction: “Faith without works is DEAD.” Let it be understood that anything that is “dead” can absolutely do NOTHING for anyone! As we take a closer look at these verses, the parents of Moses (Amram & Jochebed - Exodus 6:20) demonstrate to us all how no matter the how great the challenge is, desperate the situation or evil the threat may be, God’s child can ALWAYS fully depend upon the providence of God to shine through!

A lot is happening all around the same moment in history. It seems just at the time of Moses birth, the evil Pharaoh has made a ruling to exterminate all new born baby boys (population control). What greater threat could cut to the core of a parent’s heart than the murder of your child! So, there is an unavoidable crossroads approaching Moses parents; live in the fear of man or completely depend on God’s providence?

1) God’s Perfect Timing

A. A perfect time for getting married

Never did Amram think that when he took the love of his life to wed, they would soon be facing this current circumstance.

It is amazing how life can turn on a dime and your faith challenged.

Let this be learned by every marriage.

This is why God gives clear instruction for believers not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers! YOU BETTER HAVE THE SAME FAITH!

Remember, this marriage and every marriage is purposed for God’s glory — PERFECT TIMING!

B. A perfect time to have a baby

This is perfect for a few different reasons:

Personal: Every gift is given by God, used for God, returned to God and taken by God.

Marital: Some of the closest bonding you will experience is when you only have God and each other! (absent from health, stable job, lack of family support, etc.)

National: God’s people were needing a deliverer in the worst of ways!

We will soon learn how the faith and fruit of two parents impacted the faith and fruit of Israel’s deliverer; Moses.

Both parents were present and influential in Moses youthful years!!!

Jewish tradition speaks of Moses’ parents making it through the exodus and his mother actually outliving him?

Jewish tradition also claims that Jochebed was anywhere between 120 to 130 years old?

2) A Performing Faith

A. Following God’s Discernment

Notice the heart of Moses’ parents (Hebrews 11:23)

They may have not known the details of God’s purposes, but these is no doubt God allowed Moses face to shine in a special way (this would happen later also)

The only voice that put their heart in motion was God’s! (There are a lot of voices fighting to lead your heart)

Quote: God sometimes gives early earnests of his gifts, and manifests himself betimes in those for whom and by whom he designs to do great things. (Matthew Henry)

B. Following God’s Plan

Phase 1 — hiding him for 3 months.

This was not a one parent decision!

“They were not afraid” — (sense) to fear v. — to be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a situation or event.

Amram led his home with confidence to follow God’s commandment and not fear the king’s commandment.

We see a wonderful picture of Christ: 1) Hid in Egypt to escape being murdered by the king; 2) Many baby boys murdered — Hebrews 3:5

Quote: Duty is ours, events are God’s. Again, Faith in God will set us above the ensnaring fear of man. (Matthew Henry)

Phase 2 — Hid on the edge of the Nile river

By now the baby had developed a good strong set of lungs!

Jochebed had to make a decision!

A lot of pious people would just say, “She just needs to trust the Lord.”

Playing the fool does not qualify trusting God!

Faith is not a leap in the dark!

Illustration: Laying in the road / walking around your house in the dark / spend money without counting it first.

God provides the thought of a baby ark.

Moses’ parents believed that if God can create him, God can protect him!

His parents never claimed rights over Moses. They never claimed ownership, only stewardship.

3) God’s Perfect Providence

A. Trusting God’s Invisible details

Have you ever played the “What if” game in your mind?

Notice what they instructed Miriam (Moses sister) to do!

Think about the details:

The spies of Egypt

The dangers of the Nile River

The threats of the palace

B. Enjoying God’s blessings

Pharaoh’s daughter

Once again, notice how God uses the weak things to control the heart of the powerful!

It only took a cry and tears to set things in motion to reward Moses parents and deliver His people.

It can be said, when the Lord wants to accomplish a mighty work, He often starts by sending a baby!

Pharaoh’s daughter calls for Miriam.

Moses was not the only one who learned from their parents. God used Miriam in a powerful way!

Moses mother

Jochebed had no idea this would be how God would work things out.

She simply did it without thought of self benefit.

The future deliver of Israel would receive the most important lessons of his life right from home!

When you place your full faith God, it frees you to live without fear and anxiety!

Conclusion: Our faith and fruit works together within the providence of God to bring about some of the most memorable and life changes events history has ever recorded.

Will you be a part of a history that teaches those in your life about how you can never go wrong by completely depending on the plan and providence of God?

Let us not forget about our greatest example; Jesus! His Gospel continues to eternally change every soul that would repent and believe on Him!