Moses was one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament. He led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God. But before all his great accomplishments, Moses came from humble beginnings. His mother was a courageous woman who protected him in his infancy. The Bible provides insight into who she was and the vital role she played.
Moses’ Parents
Moses’ parents were Amram and Jochebed, from the tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:20). The Levites had been set apart by God to assist the priests in the tabernacle and later the temple. Moses’ parents already had two children, Aaron and Miriam, before he was born (Numbers 26:59). At the time, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt under the oppressive rule of Pharaoh. He was alarmed at how quickly the Israelite population was growing and ordered that all newborn Hebrew boys be killed (Exodus 1:15-22).
Jochebed’s Protection of Moses
When Moses was born, his mother recognized he was a beautiful child and hid him for three months, in defiance of Pharaoh’s decree (Exodus 2:2; Hebrews 11:23). But eventually, she could no longer keep him hidden. So she made a basket for him out of papyrus reeds and coated it with tar, placing him in the basket and putting it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3). Miriam stood watch nearby to see what would happen.
Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe in the river and discovered the basket. When she opened it and saw the crying baby, she took pity on him, recognizing he was one of the Hebrew children (Exodus 2:5-6). At that moment, Miriam approached and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. Pharaoh’s daughter agreed, so Miriam brought Jochebed, Moses’ mother, who was then paid wages by Pharaoh’s daughter to nurse and care for him (Exodus 2:7-9). So because of Jochebed’s ingenuity and boldness, she was able to be involved in raising her own son.
Jochebed’s Godly Influence
Even though Jochebed was only able to care for Moses during his infancy, she seems to have had a lasting spiritual influence on him. The writer of Hebrews notes that Moses’ parents hid him because they saw he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid of the king’s edict (Hebrews 11:23). Despite the danger, they had faith in God’s providence. Jochebed especially demonstrated courage and resourcefulness to preserve her son’s life.
No doubt Moses learned of these beginnings once he was older. Stephen in his speech to the Sanhedrin affirmed that Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, yet was also powerfully aware of his Hebrew identity and calling (Acts 7:20-22). The seeds of faith planted by his mother bore fruit in Moses’ heart. Though raised a prince of Egypt, he identified with the suffering of his people and intervened when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-12).
Jochebed’s Example for Mothers
Jochebed’s story provides a model for all mothers who want to raise children who love God. Even though her time was short with Moses, she made the most of it by modeling courage and trusting in God’s deliverance. She refused to allow fear of man to compromise her higher calling. Mothers can instill seeds of faith in their children’s hearts through their own quiet example of depending on the Lord.
Jochebed also illustrates that mothers can influence their children powerfully during the infant and nurturing stages. Bonding, care, nutrition and early education pave the way for a child’s future development. Though Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s courts, the nurture received from his biological mother bore lasting fruit. The parting lessons Jochebed left with her son stayed with him for life.
Moses and the Birth of a Nation
Moses went on to become one of the most important figures in all of Israelite history. After killing an Egyptian slave master, he fled to the wilderness of Midian, where God appeared to him in the burning bush and commissioned him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3). Moses returned to Egypt and confronted Pharaoh with God’s demand: “Let my people go” (Exodus 5:1). When Pharaoh refused, God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the death of all the firstborn, after which Pharaoh finally relented (Exodus 7-12).
Moses led the Israelites in their exodus out of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea on dry ground after God divided the waters (Exodus 14). Later, on Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Mosaic Law to govern the nation of Israel (Exodus 20). Due to Israel’s disobedience, the generation of Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. But before he died, Moses appointed Joshua to lead them and saw God’s promise fulfilled from a distance (Deuteronomy 34).
All of this history pivoted on the brave actions of Moses’ mother to save his life as an infant. From very modest but faithful beginnings, Moses was used profoundly by God. The foundation laid by Jochebed helped shape him into the leader God intended him to be.
Jochebed’s Courage Honored
Although Jochebed’s time with Moses was short, her influence was significant. Her courage in defying Pharaoh has been honored and praised:
- The New Testament commends Jochebed and Amram for their faith in hiding Moses (Hebrews 11:23).
- Jochebed is praised for her faith and wisdom in raising Moses in the Apocrypha (Ecclesiasticus 44:1).
- The Rabbinic Midrashim expansively retells Jochebed’s faithful actions saving Moses.
- Artworks over the centuries have depicted Jochebed placing Moses in the river.
Jochebed played a pivotal role in salvation history by helping save and shape the man God chose to deliver Israel. Although she seemed powerless in the mighty Egyptian empire, her simple faith and courage were stronger than fear and changed the course of history.
Jochebed’s Identity
The Bible does not provide much detail about Jochebed’s background and identity beyond being Moses’ mother. But some conclusions can be drawn:
- She was from the Levite tribe, descended from Jacob’s son Levi (Exodus 2:1).
- Her name Jochebed means “Yahweh is glory.” She likely had strong faith in God.
- She was Amram’s aunt as well as his wife (Exodus 6:20). Marrying a close relative was more common in that era.
- She had an older daughter, Miriam, and a son Aaron who was three years older than Moses (Exodus 7:7).
- She was resourceful, brave and faithful to God, risking her life for her child.
While few details are given, Jochebed’s remarkable actions to save Moses speak volumes about her character. She lived up to the meaning of her name by glorifying God through her courageous faith.
Jochebed’s Legacy
Jochebed’s legacy lies in her son Moses, who stands as one of the giant figures of the Old Testament. As a prophet, Moses delivered God’s Law that shaped Israel’s religious life for generations. As a leader, his exodus from Egypt birthed the nation of Israel. Moses’ influence is still felt today through the first five books of the Bible traditionally attributed to him.
None of this would have been possible without the strong foundation laid by Moses’ mother Jochebed. During a time of national crisis, she valued the life of her child and acted in faith to save him. Her brave actions and godly influence in his early years helped shape Moses into the leader he became. Though she has only a small part in the biblical story, Jochebed’s influence was significant and far-reaching.
Jochebed’s story stands as a testament that seemingly small acts of faithfulness can end up having enormous consequences. By courageously trusting God and valuing the life of her child, she changed the trajectory of biblical history for the people of Israel. Her legacy is a model for all parents who want to instill faith in their children.
Conclusion
In summary, Moses’ mother was Jochebed, a Levite woman who showed great courage and faith in God during a national crisis. At the risk of her own life, she saved Moses from Pharaoh’s edict to drown all Hebrew baby boys. Though she could only nurse Moses for a few short years, Jochebed left an indelible impression of faith on her son. This early foundation helped shape Moses into the leader God called him to be in delivering the Israelites out of Egypt. Though she had only a brief mention in Scripture, Jochebed’s influence was significant and far-reaching. Her story stands as an inspirational model for all parents seeking to instill lifelong faith in their children.