By Hope 103.2Wednesday 24 Jan 2024Real Hope – The PodcastPodcastsReading Time: 3 minutes
There is no limit to what God can do through you if you give your life to Him.
Women play a significant role in the Bible. Some of them are familiar, while others remain largely unknown. Heidi Wysman looks at who they are and how their individual stories helped shape the greater story of the Gospel for Real Hope | The Podcast.
“Leave a legacy of faith to your family and people around you,” Heidi encourages. “Remember that God is at work in your life no matter what season you’re in. He’s working on a stunning tapestry, which is still unfinished.
“Know that God loves you. He is merciful, just and kind. If you’re feeling discouraged on your journey, consider Ruth’s life, or Jochebed’s, Esther’s or Mary of Bethany and remember that God works for the good of His people.”
Women of the Bible: A Legacy of Faith follows the journey of Jochebed, Abigail, Ruth, The Unknown Woman, Jael, Esther and Mary of Bethany.
Jochebed
By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) decree. HEBREWS 11:23 (AMP)
Jochebed is one of the outstanding mothers of the scriptures. She was the mother of Aaron, Moses and Miriam (Exodus 6:20; Numbers 26:59). To protect Moses from Pharaoh’s command that every male Hebrew child be killed, she placed Moses in an ark of bulrushes on the river. After Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the baby, Jochebed became his nurse, and she was allowed to keep Moses until he was weaned. (Many scholars believe that this process continued as she cared for the boy until approximately 8–12 years of age.)
In this brief time, Moses learnt Hebrew history, developed loyalty to his people, and understood the call to deliver them. It was long enough for Jochebed to impart to Moses knowledge of the God of heaven and earth.
God used her courageous acts to position her son in the house of Pharaoh.
The author of Hebrews records that his parents ‘were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) decree’ (Hebrews 11:23). The God of Israel was more real to Jochebed and her husband than was the king of Egypt. Jochebed exemplifies courage to fear God rather than man, as well as a steadfast faith in God’s promises and providences.
God honoured her unwavering faith by delivering the Hebrews from Egyptian enslavement through Moses, and by placing her other son, Aaron, as high priest. Her daughter Miriam rose to prominence among the Hebrew women and Jochebed’s entire tribal family was selected by God to lead the rituals of worship for His people. Jochebed means ‘Jehovah glorified’. She certainly lived out her name to bring glory to God!
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Women of the Bible: A Legacy of Faith follows the journey of Mary of Bethany, Jochebed, Abigail, Ruth, The Unknown Woman, Jael, and Esther. Subscribe to the YouVersion plan.
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