ALWAYS A MOTHER

ALWAYS A MOTHER

The news may have been unexpected, shocking or long awaited but for most women once they learn they are going to be a mother ~ that they are carrying a child excitement begins to build.  Your emotions go on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, screams and laughter.  You wonder; am I having a girl or boy, what will they look like, will the baby be healthy, will there be enough money, will I be a good mother or just plain…I am scared what if I blow this thing called motherhood.

Mother’s embrace this challenge with determination and fortitude.  Each season of motherhood takes you through new trials and new victories.  Surely without the enablement of God the overwhelming task of motherhood will cause weariness and doubt of your ability or sensibility to be a Mom. 

If you were to ask any woman who has reached her silver years she would let you know; once a mother ~ always a mother, it is a life long role.

Let’s take a look at an amazing mother of the Bible, Jochebed.

What stood out in Jochebed’s life that forever etched her name in the Word of God? 

What can we learn from Jochebed’s life that will leave a lasting impression of great motherhood?

The story of Jochebed is taken out of:  Exodus 2:1-10, Exodus 6:20, Numbers 26:59. 

The name Jochebed means:   heavy, honorable, glorious

According to the scriptures I just mentioned we know the following about this mother.

She was:

• Daughter of Levi.
• Wife of Amram of the house of Levi.
• Mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses.
• She desperately tried to save her new born son’s life, first hiding him; then by placing him in a floatable basket in hope of his survival. Miriam watched to see what would happen.
• Pharaoh’s daughter took Moses as her own.
• Miriam was sent by Pharaoh’s daughter to have Jochebed nurse him.
• Jochebed worked for Pharaoh’s daughter nursing Moses (until he was approximately seven years old. Aaron would have been three years old when Moses was born). It is possible that Miriam and Jochebed had great favor at the palace and with Pharaoh’s daughter. They most likely lived close to the palace, on palace grounds, or even in servant quarters. They may have done other work for Pharaoh’s daughter.
• It is not known if Jochebed lived to see Moses lead the people out of Egypt.

Jochebed faced great sacrifice in her life as many mothers do.  For the life of her child she acted quickly to save him, who would eventually save the nation of Israel from bondage.  It must have been a very heavy burden to bear.  God honored the sacrifice of this mothers love and opened a way for a miracle. 

In Exodus chapter 2 verses 3-9; Miriam places Moses in the river and watches until Pharaoh’s daughter withdraws him.  Miriam acts quickly and suggests to Pharaoh’s daughter; that she retrieve a nurse from among the Hebrew women.  Jochebed is restored to her child and has the priviledge of raising him; however, it is at a cost.  She cannot reveal she is his true mother, she lays down her own desires for the sake of her child and eventually Israel’s experiences freedom from bondage through Moses.  Unfortunately scripture does not reveal to us if Jochebed had the privilege of seeing Israel set free.  This woman’s sacrifice paved the way for one of Biblical histories greatest stories.  Many of you as mothers may feel as though what you have done or are doing will not matter.  However; I encourage you to press on, we just do not know what God will do with a simple Mother’s faith or what part in history it will play.

Let’s take a look at  to how Jesus honored His earthly mother:

(John 19:25-27 NKJV)  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Evidently Joseph was no longer alive at this time and Jesus had been caring for his mother.  Even at the point of death at His most critical moment Jesus honored His earthly mother and made provisions for her care.  What a great picture of HONOR.

We as humans are not perfect, but each of us I believe have parts that are excellent.  Today let all of us reflect on the excellent parts of our mothers.  Mothers you are worthy of being honored not only today but everyday because you have made great investments into the lives of your children and others around you.  I commend you.