Extra! Extra! Read all about it: “Every baby boy that is born must be killed.”
Imagine waking up to such a headline. Such was the order given about the Hebrews in Exodus 1:22.
Responses to such news could include:
1) becoming overcome by fear displayed through hysterical behavior ie. crying, panic, etc. and paralyzed by the fear OR
2) looking to the Source for an answer and being proactive in the solution.
When I think of those circumstances of being a powerless slave in a land where my people were despised, I’m afraid there’s a possibility that my response would be the first one. I mean, what could someone in such a helpless position do when hearing that decree?
Exodus 2 reveals the answer. Jochebed, who had just given birth to Moses, came up with a plan. Crying and panic.. “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Instead, she hid him for the first three months. Then, she made a basket, placing him in it, and put it in the Nile River.
I think about the creativity and time it must’ve taken to execute this plan, the heartache involved to separate from her baby, and the trust she had in God to provide for this precious baby. The book of Exodus tells us how Moses was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, nursed by Jochebed, raised in the Pharaoh’s place, and although he fled from Egypt, ultimately he returned to be the deliverer of the Israelites from bondage and slavery.
Jochebed’s response reminds us not to let our emotions control us, but rather display self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. In Greek, self-control is “egkrateia” which means temperance: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions. In doing so, Jochebed focused on God to provide her with a plan and resources with clarity and strength.
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, at your job, in your marriage or with your children, look to God Who is for you, not against you and Whose plans are to prosper you, not to harm you. Romans 12:21 states, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
You are not powerless or helpless as the enemy would like you to believe. You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus! Time to get your game face on and be victorious in the battle!
~Joyce
