Sermon # 42 - Let Go And God Will Take Over Series

It is recorded in Exodus 2:1-2, “During this time a man from the tribe of Levi married a woman of his own tribe, and she bore him a son. When she saw what a fine baby he was, she hid him for three months.” (GNB)

There are three things we note in the above mentioned verses; firstly there was a married couple from the tribe of Levi, (the husband’s name was Amram and his wife’s name Jochebed), they had a son (Moses), and they were challenged with a problem, which prompted them to hide their baby boy. When the mother realized that the baby boy was a fine child, she hid him for three months.

The reason she had to hide her new born son is mentioned in Exodus 1:22, Finally the king issued a command to all his people: "Take every newborn Hebrew boy and throw him into the Nile, but let all the girls live." (GNB)

Pharaoh, King of Egypt recognized that the people of Israel though in bondage and slavery to the Egyptians, were increasing rapidly in numbers. Pharaoh who was seated securely on his throne, had much pomp, power and a mighty army. But, somehow this situation of the speedy increase of the Israelites worried him a great deal. Pharaoh’s worry turned to panic, and made him lose his humaneness, when he decided to implement more brutal laws to repress the growth of the Israelites. He issued a cruel edict that every male child that was born to the Hebrew families should be thrown into the river Nile, while the girl babies alone should be spared, and allowed to live. It is indeed ironical that Pharaoh who was a mighty king with tremendous power, began to fear a group of people who were just his slaves. This was only because the Lord of hosts was with the people of Israel.

Pharaoh’s intent in killing the male children was so he could prevent the growth of the male population, who could become too strong for him to contend with. The female children he let live with the assumption that they could overpower, and subdue them. What Pharaoh did not realize was that the secret to their tremendous growth and blessing of the Hebrew people was the reality that they belonged to the living God, who had made a covenant with them and promised them this increase.

Worry is a reality for many of us in the various situations that confront us. When we are absorbed with worry, it inevitably leads to anxiety and panic, which often makes us do the unpredictable. Children of God may encounter predicaments of all sorts, but if the Lord is with us, He will give the increase, and bless us even in the midst of these difficult situations. The reason for this, is that the blessings of the Lord are not dependent on our circumstances, or on the people around us, but rests entirely on the Lord.

As the people of God increase there is rejoicing in the family of God, but contrarily there is worry, fear and anxiety in the enemy camp. If instead of feeling joyful when people worship God, are being blessed by Him, and are added in great numbers we feel threatened, we must be cautioned as this is the spirit that prevailed in Pharaoh, one of insecurity which if left unchecked will work out for our own detriment. We must instead rejoice when people repent, and are added into the kingdom of God, for the word of God declares that there is great rejoicing in heaven even over one sinner who repents, more so when there are a great many who turn to the Lord.

Pharaoh was anxious, but Jochebed trusted in the Lord

The one who should have been worried most should have been Moses’ mother Jochebed, who might have regretted that she had a boy child, and was now in dilemma as to what would become of her baby. Instead Jochebed decided to trust in the Lord, and place her child under His care.

We read in Exodus 2:3, But when she could not hide him any longer, she took a basket made of reeds and covered it with tar to make it watertight. She put the baby in it and then placed it in the tall grass at the edge of the river. (GNB)

For three months Jochebed managed to hide the baby, which we realize must have been an ordeal, considering the fact that being slaves their houses would have been small, and also that it is an unimaginable feat to keep a new born silent. However, she believed that this child was her God given gift, and so she treasured the baby, not letting Pharaoh’s command deter her in any way. While Pharaoh who did not know the Lord fretted and panicked, Moses’ mother had complete confidence in the Lord for she knew whom she believed, and had her entire faith fixed on God alone.