“The Characteristics of a Godly Parent.”
Exodus 2:1-10, Heb. 11:23-27
Good morning, I want welcome you to this
Mother’s Day service. I want to begin by giving you the
There are of course some words my mom said but I swore I'd never say and of course I did;
“If you get hurt don’t come crying to me.”
“Close that door, were you raised in a barn?"
"I'm not chasing you; you'll have to stop sometime. And when I catch you - you are going to be sorry”
“And just what part of no is it that you do not understand?'
“Stop that "you'll put someone's eye out!"
“Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about.”
"Finish what's on your plate; there are starving children in the world.'
I am keenly aware that Mother’s Day for some of the ladies in our congregation can be bitter-sweet for some. In the minds of many people there is no one in the world like their mother. For most, mom is a very special person. Others, how-ever, have memories of mother that are not all that special. Perhaps the relationship was strained for some reason or the other.
But my purpose today is not to just speak the mother’s but the father’s as well. Today we are going to look at Jochebed and Amram, the parents of Moses. These can be very pertinent for us today because they reared Moses in a difficult time and in a pagan culture.
In this age of selfishness and materialism, we need to look at the characteristics of parents that we would do well to emulate. In today’s message we will look at Amram and Jochebed, the parents of Moses, to see the characteristics of a godly parent.
“And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and
pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. 6 And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So, the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So, she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
A severe famine had caused Jacob and his sons and their families to move to Egypt where Joseph was by this time Prime Minister, second in power only to the Pharaoh. From a small band of 70 members (Ex. 1:5) that number had grown to perhaps in excess of two million. And when a new Pharaoh came to the throne (Ex. 1:8) he began to see the children of Israel as a threat (Ex.1:9-10). So, Pharaoh devised a plan. First, he decided to enslave the Israelites (Ex. 1:10-11). But the Bible says that “the more oppressed the more they multiplied and spread.” (Ex. 1:12). The Pharaoh’s response was to increase the workload (Ex. 1:13-14) that was ineffective as well. Frustrated that his plans had not proven effective to curtail the rapid growth of the Israelites, he puts into effect a policy that calls for the Egyptian midwives to see that all the male children born to the Israelites died (Ex. 1:15-16). But the Midwives made excuses for why the Israelite baby boys survived (Ex. 1:17-21) Finally, in desperation the Pharaoh commanded that all the male babies born to the Israelites should be cast into the Nile River (Ex. 1:22).
The Nile River was the habitation of the Egyptian God, Sobek, the crocodile god. Thus the solution to the Pharaoh’s woes was also an offering to Sobek the crocodile god of Egypt.
Notice four facts about the parents of Moses.
First, The Decision They Faced -the Parents of Moses Chose Life. (Acts 7:17-20)
Moses was born into a culture of death. According to Acts 7:17-20, “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18 till another king arose who did not know Joseph. 19 This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. 20 At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months.”
Let’s face the facts today; we also live in a
culture of death. We live in a world where the most dangerous place for an unborn child is the place that should be the safest: its mother’s womb. We live in a world where not every pregnant woman wants to be a mother. We live in a culture that allows a woman to take away the life of their child.
Consider the following statistics about abortion.
On average, women give at least 3 reasons for choosing abortion: 3/4 say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities; about 3/4 say they cannot afford a child; and 1/2 say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.
? Since 1973 Roe vs. Wade there have been 61,280,602 abortions in the U.S.
? There have been 338, 572 abortions perform-ed this year in the USA. (as of yesterday)
? 50% of women who have abortions had at least one previous abortion.
http://www.numberofabortions.com/
There is of course much more to say about abortion. The fact is, it is too easy in our world to do away with an unwanted child. We also live in a culture of death, and that cannot be denied!
Secondly, The Choice They Made – The Parents of Moses Reacted In Faith. (Heb. 11:23)
The writer of Hebrews says, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
(Hebrews 11:23)
The faith of the parents of Moses can be seen in the fact that “they were not afraid of the king’s command.” But note that it was faith not fear that motivated the parents of Moses. The parents of Moses hid him as long as possible. For three months they hid their child. How would you like to try hiding a baby for three months? I remember well when we brought our baby home from the hospital. For the first six weeks she had the cholic and she cried and she cried and she cried. We could not have concealed her for three minutes much less three months! If there had been a Nile then … Oh well we don’t want to go there!! (Just kidding Nikki).
“He [Moses] was a goodly child” (Ex. 2:2) meaning that he was healthy, but under a sentence of death. Acts 7:20 tells us that he was “exceedingly fair” and Hebrews 11:23 tells us that “he was a proper child.”
• Acting in Faith they trusted God’s Heart even when they could not understand His plan.
This verse in Hebrews 11 indicates that
Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, had a deep and abiding faith in God. This verse says that they hid their child because “…they were not afraid of the king’s command.” You would expect it to say that they hid the child because they were afraid. To understand it must be remembered that there are two threats in the king’s command; one against the babies and one against the parents. If you kill your baby you will live; if you don’t kill the baby you risk your life. In other words, they look at the fear for their own lives and say we will not give in. The point is that it is faith that produced the courage to defy the king. The parents of Moses would pray. They would plan. And then they would trust God to help them. May I suggest to you that Moses grew to be a great man of faith because his father and mother were people of faith.
Charles Swindoll says, “To walk by faith does not mean that we stop thinking. To trust God does not imply becoming slovenly or lazy or apathetic. What a distortion of biblical faith! You and I need to trust God for our finances, but that is no license to spend foolishly. You and I ought to trust God for safety in the car, but we’re not wise to pass in a blind curve. We trust God for our health, but that doesn’t mean we can chain smoke, stay up half the night, and subsist on potato chips and Twinkies without consequences… Faith and careful planning go hand-in-hand. They always have.”[Charles Swindoll. “Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication.” (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1999) p. 27]
• Acting In Faith Does Not Mean Acting Foolishly.
Finally, Jochebed decided the Pharaoh commanded her to place her child in the Nile River. Alright then she would do so, but in her own way. She fashioned a little basket of interwoven reeds, which were believed to be protection against crocodiles, and waterproofed it with tar and resin and “and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.” (2:3) It seems odd that they would hide their baby in the very river where babies were being drown-ed. Did they know of the bathing habits of Pharaoh’s daughter? Did they receive some kind of message from God? Or was just a plan of desperation? I don’t know and the text does not tell us!
Perhaps you may be like myself ; as I envisioned Jochebed making her way down to the river and thrusting the basket out into the current, and the basket bobbing down the river until coming to rest in some reeds where he was found. But that is not what happened. Verse three says that she, “laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.” In other words, she carefully positioned the basket precisely where she wanted it. She put the basket in the place that that it was likely that the princess would come to bathe. She then sent Moses’ older sister, Miriam to watch. She no doubt instructed Miriam carefully on what she was to say.
In verse five we are told, “Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. (6) And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had com-passion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebtrew's children.” (7) Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” (8) And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother.”
Soon Pharaoh’s daughter along with some of her attendants arrive at that very place that baby Moses was placed and she spotted the basket among the reeds and sent a servant to retrieve it. Miriam was nearby to watch over her baby brother and when he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, she rushed to make the suggestion that a Hebrew woman could nurse the child for her (v. 7) Was the princess surprised when a young slave girl approached her to ask if she would like her to go after a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for her? Whatever was in her mind, Pharaoh’s daughter named him “Moses.” The name means, “Drawn Out,” referring to the fact that Moses was drawn out of the Nile River. This name was also providential. Moses was “drawn out” so that he might one day “draw out” others.
There is great irony in the fact that Miriam brought Jochebed, Moses mother, who took back her little boy to nurse and rear for several years. And she did this all with the protection of Pharaoh’s daughter, the same king who had ordered Moses’ death. And even more ironic was that Jochebed was paid to nurse her own child.
Third, The Heritage They Passed On – The Parents of Moses Taught the Truth When they had the opportunity.
(Prov. 22:6 Deut. 6:7)
What would you do if you knew that every-thing that your child might know about God they would learn from you? What if this was compound-ed by the knowledge that in all likelihood you would not have very much time to accomplish this? What would you do? What would you tell your child about? Jochebed not only knew the about Jehovah’s interaction with her people , she believed the promises of God to His people. The words of Deut. 6:7 would take on special meaning, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” You would look for opport-unities to share your faith with your children and grandchildren, to tell them about your faith. Isn’t that what we should be doing anyway?
How do you pass on your faith to your children? The words of Proverbs 22:6 offer instruction, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” But what do these words mean? The first word in the verse is “train” and it comes from a Hebrew word used to describe the actions of a mid-wife. After she helped deliver a child she would dip her finger in crushed dates and reach into the mouth of the infant and massage his gums. The flavor sensation of the dates would create in the infant a desire to nurse. So the term “train” literally means “to create a thirst in.”
What if Jochebed hadn't taken advantage of the opportunity she had? What would have happened if she decided that she would rather let Moses "decide for himself"? What would have happened if Jochebed had decided Moses was too young to learn the things of God? Jochebed reminds us that if we do not teach our children a Biblical value system, then they will get their value from the world.
In the brief time that Jochebed had with Moses she created in him a desire for the things of God that he never got over. Nobody takes the place of pre-schooler’s mother, no one. Parents the best things that you can give your children in life is not possessions, or even education but faith, a faith that leads them to thirst to use their God given gifts and abilities to accomplish God’s purpose for their lives.
We can assume that Amram, shared the same faith, ideals, and hopes as did his wife. Unfortunately, many women find their greatest opponent to the proper rearing of children in the father of their children.
Fourth, The Truth They Found – The Parents of Moses learned that God can be Trusted. (Hebrews 11:24-27)
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 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)
There is an interesting sidelight found in a passage in 1 Chronicles relating the genealogy of a certain man named Mered who is said to have married a woman named “…Bethiah, (beth-thy-a) daughter of Pharaoh,” (1 Chron. 4:18) perhaps indicating that she was the princess who adopted Moses, and that she actually became a child of God and left Egypt in the Exodus.
Children need more than the material things of life. Children need to have the inspiration and
guidance of things spiritual.
Conclusion
The greatest responsibility that you have as a Christian parent is to raise your child to trust in Jesus, if you succeed there your successful, even if you cannot give them all the material toys of this world.
Parents your children are watching you, the decisions you make, the choices you make, the sacrifices you make, the way you face challenges, the way you treat people, the way you talk and the way you walk. Their character is forged on by the example of you and your spouse. Don’t fail them.
If you have not already received Jesus Christ into your heart, do so today so that he might dwell in your home and bless your children through you. There are many things you are unable to provide for your children, but with God’s help you can give them Christian parents.
“The Characteristics of a Godly Parent.”
Exodus 2:1-10, Heb. 11:23-27
First, The Decision They Faced -the Parents of Moses Chose Life. (Acts 7:17-20)
Moses was born into a culture of death.
Secondly, The Choice They Made – The Parents of Moses Reacted In Faith. (Heb. 11:23)
• Acting in Faith they trusted God’s Heart even when they could not understand His plan. (Heb 11:23)
• Acting In Faith Does Not Mean Acting Foolishly. (Ex.2:3-8)
Third, The Heritage They Passed On – The Parents of Moses Taught the Truth When they had the opportunity. (Prov. 22:6 Deut. 6:7)
Fourth, The Truth They Found – The Parents of Moses learned God Can Be Trusted. (Hebrews 11:24-27)
“The Characteristics of a Godly Parent.”
Exodus 2:1-10, Heb. 11:23-27
First, The Decision They Faced -the Parents of Moses Chose ______. (Acts 7:17-20)
Moses was born into a culture of ________.
Secondly, The Choice They Made – The Parents of Moses Reacted In ____. (Heb. 11:23)
• Acting in Faith they trusted God’s _____ even when they could not understand His ______. (Heb 11:23)
• Acting In Faith Does Not Mean Acting _________. (Ex.2:3-8)
Third, The Heritage They Passed On– The Parents of Moses Taught the _______ when they had the opportunity.
(Prov. 22:6 Deut. 6:7)
Fourth, The Truth They Found – The Parents of Moses learned God Can Be ___________.
(Hebrews 11:24-27)
“The Characteristics of a Godly Parent.”
Exodus 2:1-10, Heb. 11:23-27
First, The Decision They Faced -the Parents of Moses Chose Life. (Acts 7:17-20)
Moses was born into a culture of death.
Secondly, The Choice They Made – The Parents of Moses Reacted In Faith. (Heb. 11:23)
• Acting in Faith they trusted God’s Heart even when they could not understand His plan. (Heb 11:23)
• Acting In Faith Does Not Mean Acting Foolishly. (Ex.2:3-8)
Third, The Heritage They Passed On – The Parents of Moses Taught the Truth When they had the opportunity. (Prov. 22:6 Deut. 6:7)
Fourth, The Truth They Found – The Parents of Moses learned God Can Be Trusted. (Hebrews 11:24-27)
“The Characteristics of a Godly Parent.”
Exodus 2:1-10, Heb. 11:23-27
First, The Decision They Faced -the Parents of Moses Chose ______. (Acts 7:17-20)
Moses was born into a culture of ________.
Secondly, The Choice They Made – The Parents of Moses Reacted In ____. (Heb. 11:23)
• Acting in Faith they trusted God’s _____ even when they could not understand His ______. (Heb 11:23)
• Acting In Faith Does Not Mean Acting _________. (Ex.2:3-8)
Third, The Heritage They Passed On– The Parents of Moses Taught the _______ when they had the opportunity.
(Prov. 22:6 Deut. 6:7)
Fourth, The Truth They Found – The Parents of Moses learned God Can Be ___________.
(Hebrews 11:24-27)
