Jochebed

šMidwives and Jochebed›

Scripture References:

Exodus 1; 2:1-11; 6:20; Numbers 26:59; Hebrews 11:23-27

The Midwives:

Read Exodus 1:1-22

The midwives Shiphrah and Puah assisted the women in childbirth. They held this position most likely because they had no children or homes of their own.

Shiphrah means “prolific” or “procreate”

Puah means “child bearing” or “joy of parents”

These were Egyptian names and Jewish historian Aben Ezra says these women were “chiefs over all the midwives, who were more than 500.”

“They are called Hebrew midwives, probably not because they were themselves Hebrews (for surely Pharaoh could never expect they should be so barbarous to those of their own nation), but because they were generally made use of by the Hebrews; and, being Egyptians, he hoped to prevail with them.” –Matthew Henry

Even though they were Egyptians they appeared to embrace the Hebrew faith and “feared God.”

Exodus 1:17 NASB “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.”

Acts 5:29 NASB “But Peter and the apostles answered and said, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” They said this in response to the command given to them to not continue teaching in the name of Jesus.

What does it mean to “fear” God? This word is “yare” and it means “to fear, to respect, to reverence, to be afraid.” Recognize who God is! We often get commonplace and comfortable in our approach to Him.

These women feared God MORE than they feared man. Let this be our prayer!

Matthew 10:28 NKJV “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

How did God respond to Shiphrah and Puah?

1.     He protected them. Exodus 1:20 NASB “So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty.”

a.     Psalm 34:7 NKJV “The angel of the Lord encamps around all those who fear Him, and delivers them”

b.     Psalm 91:1 NASB “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

2.     He gave them families. Exodus 1:21 NASB “And it came about because the midwives feared God, that He established households for them.”

God desires our obedience.

Jochebed’s History:

Jochebed was the mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses.

Jochebed’s name means “glory of Jehovah” “Jehovah is her glory”

She is the first person in scripture to have her name compounded with “Jah” or “Jehovah”

She was the daughter of a Levi and her husband Amram was a man of the house of Levi which makes Moses a Levite.

Because of Joseph, 400 years before the Jewish people were a favored race but now they were afflicted.

v. 8 –a new king, who did not know Joseph, arose. How important it is to know history and learn from history! 1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

This Pharaoh made the Israelite people slave laborers.

Exodus 1:12 NKJV “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.”

It was in these years that Jochebed gave birth to Moses. Imagine her fear, her cry to God and her agony when he was born a baby boy.

Her Faith:

Read Exodus 2:1-11

Her actions showed who she ultimately trusted in and we can all follow her example of bravery.

What kind of faith did she have? Wise faith. She placed him in the river by the bulrushes at the rivers edge and it was around where Pharaoh’s daughter bathed every day. She had Miriam, her daughter, follow the baby…and then trusted in the Lord!

The Lord wants his children to be wise. He does not want us to have faith and yet be foolish. That is why He gave us the book of Proverbs! Many times, we are hindered in our walks with God because we have not yet acquired the wisdom He gave us.

Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 NKJV “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

Proverbs 8:11 NKJV “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 11:2 NKJV “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:16 NKJV “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”

Acts 6:3 NKJV "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;”

Acts 6:10 NKJV “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.”

Jochebed is listed in the hall of faith! Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.”

The opposite of faith is FEAR. A key to having faith in the Lord is to fear the right person…God! If you fear the Lord, you won’t fear man, and if you fear man you won’t fear the Lord.

Hebrews 13:6 NKJV “So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

1 John 4:18 NKJV “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

A lot of times our faith is weak and our fear is strong because we do not understand the love God has for us and we need to have a deeper experience of it.

1 John 5:4 NKJV “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.”

Her Legacy:

Jochebed had tremendous influence on her three children as they became the leaders for the people of Israel.

·       Aaron became Israel’s first high priest beginning the Aaronic priesthood.

·       Miriam was a poetess and musician who led the women in a victory song after God delivered them from Pharaoh’s army.

·       Moses led God’s people out of the land of Egypt and communicated God’s commandments.

Your assignment from God as a mother is to devote yourselves to your children. Mothering takes perseverance and hard work! There is no easy way out. Be a dedicated prayer warrior for your children every day that they may embrace the Lord and follow after Him.

Life Lesson:

Fear God not man and walk by faith! Step out and take risks.

Reflection Questions:

1.     What would people point to in your life that shows the evidence of your faith?

2.     What are things in life that you are afraid of?

3.     What challenge are you currently going through that requires faith?