THANK YOU MUM!

Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers!

Many of us recognise that mothers play an important role in our lives and in taking care of the household. The selfless love of a mother has been demonstrated by many. We see such an example in the Bible through Jochebed, the mother of Moses (Exodus 6:20), and note some lessons from the biblical account.

Jochebed was a mother of great faith. The Israelite nation, at that point in time, was living in Egypt with a pharaoh who “knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). As the Israelite nation was increasing, Pharaoh oppressed the people, afflicted them and made life very difficult for them (Exodus 1:9-14). In order to curb the increase in Israelite population, Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill Israelite baby boys who were born but to let Israelite baby girls live (Exodus 1:16). However, the Hebrew midwives feared the LORD and did not do as what Pharaoh decreed (Exodus 1:17). Hence, Pharaoh charged all his people to cast every Hebrew son that was born into the river (Exodus 1:22).

Jochebed demonstrated her great faith in the LORD by hiding Moses for three months after his birth and nursing him (Exodus 2:2; Hebrews 11:23). Subsequently, she had to release him under difficult and oppressive conditions. She did not dress Moses up like a girl nor do anything to try and protect him. She trusted that God would take care of Moses. We read in the biblical account that through God’s providence, Moses was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter who had compassion on him, and Jochebed was called upon to nurse the child (Exodus 2:5-9). A mother’s love is often so great for her own children that she may end up worrying unceasingly about the growth and development of her child. We learn from Jochebed that she did not take matters into her own hands, but she trusted in the LORD and left it all to Him. When we have challenges and trials in our lives and face uncertainties or doubts, we turn to God (James 4:8) and put our trust in Him (Psalm 56:3). We trust God in uncertain times, do what we can in faithful obedience to Him and leave the rest in His hands.

Jochebed was a mother who taught Moses well in his childhood. 

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:24-27)

Jochebed must have taught Moses about his heritage, the need to walk uprightly in the LORD and to obey Him. We see in the passage in Hebrews above that Moses did not deny his heritage. He did not want to walk in the wicked ways of the Egyptians and was not tempted by riches. Moses trusted in the promises of God and trusted in Him. This speaks well of how Jochebed must have taught Moses in the way of the LORD. It reminds us of the faith Eunice and Lois had which also impacted Timothy when he was young (2 Timothy 1:5). Indeed, there is a need to “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). 

Motherhood is a journey which comes with joy, hard work, challenges, uncertainty and fulfillment. May Mothers’ Day not be the only day we show appreciation and love to our mothers. May new mothers find strength in the LORD as they walk this journey together with their child and family. May seasoned mothers experience the fruit of their labour and joy, and be in a good position to help and mentor young mothers train up their children in the LORD. Please continue to keep mothers in our prayers and to appreciate them. Husbands too need to praise and value them. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (Pro 31:28)

May God continue to help us grow strong Christian families through the knowledge and application of His word. Once again, Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers!