Characteristics Of A Good Mother

A. WHAT A GOOD MOTHER DID. EXODUS 2:1-10

1. She married right. "A man of the house of Levi . . . took to wife a daughter of Levi" (v.1).

2. She chose life. "The woman conceived and bare a son" (v.2).

3. She had eyes of faith. "She saw him, that he was a goodly child" (v.2). "By faith . . . because they saw he was a proper child" (Heb. 11:23).

4. She was courageous. "She hid him three months" (v.2). "Because they saw . . . they were not afraid of the king’s commandment" (Heb. 11:23).

5. She protected her child. "She hid him" (v.2).

6. She worked for her child. "She made for him an ark . . . daubed it with tar" (v.3 ELT).

7. She planned for her child. "She put the child in the ark and placed it in the reeds by the river bank" (v.3).

8. She had Moses’ sister watch over the child. "His sister stood off to see what would happen to the baby" (v.4).

B. PROVIDENCE SENT AN "ADOPTIVE MOTHER."

The woman who found baby Moses was the daughter of Thutmosis II (1518-1504 BC). Most evangelical scholars believe this was Hatsheput (1504-1482 BC).

1. She came to the right spot. "The daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river" (v.5).

2. She saw the right thing. "When she saw the ark among the flags" (v.5).

3. She did the right thing. "She sent her maid to fetch it" (v.5).

4. She understood the immediate need. "When she opened it she saw the child . . . she said, ’This is one of the Hebrews’ children’" (v.6).

Divine sovereignty

The Babe wept

What Mother can resist a crying baby?

5. She had compassion which was the right response. "She had compassion on him" (v.6).

6. She chose right. "Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, "Shall I go and call to thee a nurse . . . Go" (v.7,8).

7. She gave the child the right name. "And she called his name Moses . . . because I drew him out of the water" (v.10).

Pharaoh’s were named Mosis:

Ahmose I 1570 BC - 1546 BC

Thutmose I 1546 BC - 1518 BC

Thutmose II1518 BC - 1504 BC

No son

Hatsheput & Co-regent

Thutmose III1504 BC - 1450 BC

(The Pharaoh of oppression)

a. Symbolically = Saved from the water.

b. Heritage = The name of Pharaoh’s son.

c. Providentially = God’s plan for his life.

8. She provided care. "Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ’Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages’" (v.9).

a. The birthmother loved and cared for Moses.

b. The adoptive mother provided and protected Moses.

9. She adopted the child, making him her own. "She . . . nourished him for her own son" (Acts 7:21). "He (Moses) became her son" (Ex. 2:10). "By faith Moses . . . refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter" (Heb. 11:24).

C. PRACTICAL TO TAKE AWAY

1. God still uses mothers to express His love to children.

2. God still uses mothers to provide and care for children.

3. God still uses mothers for the education of the young.

a. Moses’ mother gave him a godly heritage.

b. Hatsheput gave him a king’s education.

4. God uses the influence of birthmothers who are providentially prohibited from raising her child. "Moses was born and was exceeding fair, nourished up in his father’s house three months" (Acts 7:20).

5. God uses the positive influences of adoptive mothers who are providentially allowed to raise a child. "Pharaoh’s daughter took him (Moses) up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:21,22).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@libery.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.