05.11.2025 DEVOTIONAL
In Exodus 2:3, we witness the profound act of faith and love exhibited by Moses' mother, Jochebed. The passage reads, "And when she could not not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink." This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child and highlights the themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine purpose.
At this juncture in biblical history, the Israelites were under cruel oppression in Egypt, and Pharaoh had issued a decree to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. Jochebed faced an agonizing decision: to continue hiding her infant son, Moses, and risk discovery or to take a leap of faith by placing him in a papyrus basket and leaving him by the riverbank. Imagine the anguish in Jochebed's heart as she placed her beloved child into an ark made of bulrushes, a symbol of fragility amidst the chaos surrounding them.
The ark itself, crafted with slime and pitch, was transformed into a vessel of hope. This preparation was emblematic not only of a mother’s love but also of her recognition of God’s sovereignty. Jochebed’s actions embodied both practicality and reliance on God’s plan. In those moments, she must have prayed fervently, entrusting her child to God. Her faith was not without fear; she acted in the face of uncertainty, illustrating the pure essence of trust in God’s providence.
We, too, face challenges that seem insurmountable. At times, we may feel that we are in a river of uncertainty—whether it concerns our family, finances, health, or calling. Jochebed reminds us that while we may not have control over our circumstances, we can still act in faith. Her choice to create an ark was not merely a desperate act; it was a declaration that she believed God could still intervene in a dark situation.
The image of her laying the child in the flags speaks of her complete surrender, as she placed Moses into God’s capable hands, symbolizing a profound trust. As a mother lays her child down to sleep, she may do so while worrying about what tomorrow holds. Jochebed’s action can mirror ours: laying our worries and fears before God, trusting Him to provide, protect, and guide.
Moreover, this passage highlights the theme of God’s providence. Jochebed’s decision led to Moses being found and eventually raised in Pharaoh’s palace, where he would prepare to fulfill his destiny as the leader who would deliver the Israelites from bondage. There’s a beautiful irony in that God would use what was designed for destruction for His divine purpose. Jochebed’s faith acted as a catalyst for the miraculous unfolding of God’s plan.
Let us reflect on our own lives today. Are there burdens we are carrying that we need to release? Perhaps we need to create our own 'ark of bulrushes'— a space where we let go of our worries and fears, trusting God to navigate our paths. Just as Jochebed displayed courage in the face of overwhelming odds, we are called to step out in faith.
In closing, Jochebed's story is not just an account of a mother’s love, but a powerful testament to the faithfulness of God. Our greatest trials can lead to our most profound blessings when we faithfully commit our circumstances to Him. May we learn from her example and remember that God is sovereign, and He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Let us trust Him to work in the seemingly impossible waters of our lives, crafting a future filled with hope and divine purpose.
