Born With The Odds Against You Series

Introduction:

As Tebow mania has swept across the country, Tim Tebow has become the most talked about player in the NFL. His improbable success as an NFL quarterback has silenced many of his critics who said that he could never play quarterback in the NFL. Tebow is definitely not the most talented quarterback in the NFL but he has consistently found a way to win against the odds. However, the story of Tim Tebow overcoming the odds dates much farther back then his time as a quarterback with the Denver Broncos and the University of Florida.

Tebow was born on August 14, 1987 in the Philippines to Bob and Pam Tebow, who were serving as Christian missionaries at the time. While pregnant Pam suffered a life-threatening infection with a pathogenic amoeba. Because of the drugs used to rouse her from a coma and to treat her dysentery, the fetus experienced a severe placental abruption. Doctors expected a stillbirth and recommended an abortion to protect her life. Because of her great faith she carried Tim to term, and both survived. Now Tim has the ability to put his deep faith on display on a national stage.

Moses like Tim Tebow was born with the odds against him. Born during the darkest period of Israel’s history this is a man who overcame the odds. Due to an edict issued by Pharaoh calling for the destruction of all newborn Hebrew boys the odds were against Moses’ survival. In a dramatic way God will use the strong faith of Moses’ parents Amram and Jochebed to insure his survival so can be used by God for the future deliverance of the Israelites. Today we are going to look at the extraordinary circumstances that surrounded Moses’ very early years.

I. Let’s examine a snapshot of the home Moses is born into.

A. The atmosphere that Moses was born into was extremely hostile for the Hebrews.

1. More than likely the Pharaoh at this time was Amenhotep I who reigned from 1545-1526 BC.

2. Persecution against the Hebrew people has intensified as the destruction of all the male children born was ordered.

3. The Hebrew people were also enduring slavery as they were being forced to work under cruel task masters.

4. There was very little hope among the people as God was not a reality to them.

B. A peak at Moses’ family album.

1. Amram and Jochebed were both members of the tribe of Levi. In fact, there is some evidence that suggests that Jochebed was Amram’s aunt.

2. Moses is the third child. The oldest of the children is a daughter by the name of Miriam followed by a son named Aaron who was three years older than Moses.

3. Moses’ parents were people of great faith which will be highlighted by the Hebrew writer.

4. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (Hebrews 11:23—NIV 2011)

II. Let’s examine how God’s hand of protection was on the baby Moses.

A. From the very beginning it was obvious that Moses was a very special child.

1. Moses is described as being a “fine” or “goodly” as it can be literally translated from the Hebrew.

2. These terms used in Exodus to describe the baby can either refer to his physical appearance or his temperament.

3. Luke describes the Baby Moses in Acts 7 using the Greek phrase “asteios to theo” which is translated “fair in the sight of God.”

4. Jochebed knew that Moses was a very special child and took measures to hide him to ensure his survival.

B. Moses’ mother carefully formulates a plan to make sure that Moses survives.

1. Being a newborn Hebrew male Moses’ life was in constant danger and how long can you successfully hide a baby?

2. Moses’ mother makes a basket or ark if you literally translate the Hebrew out of papyrus reeds and coats it inside and out to make to water tight.

3. The Hebrew word translated basket here is “tebah” which is translated ark in Genesis 6-8.

4. Jochebed displays great faith as she places the baby into the basket and hides it among the reeds along the banks of the Nile.

5. Jochebed also stations Miriam close by to watch the baby and to protect him from any unexpected dangers.

6. We cannot help but that God’s hand was orchestrating all these events.

III. Let’s examine a snapshot of Moses childhood.

A. A surprising turn of events will ensure Moses’ survival.

1. Pharaoh’s daughter comes down to river to bath and is touched by the tears of the infant.

2. The assumption is made that the baby is Hebrew more than likely because it was abandoned along the river.