new normal
When Moses was leading the people of Israel and God told them to take the long route, they obeyed. When they got trapped with their backs up against the Red Sea, God told Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel go through in the midst of the sea on dry land. (Exodus 14:16). A series of miracle preceded this, and a number of miracles followed. Walking in direct connection with the God who made the land and sea made Moses someone whom God could speak to, and work through.
This didn’t just start when Moses saw a burning bush. Many long years earlier Moses had a brave mother named Jochebed. All around her the other Hebrew women were experiencing the Egyptian soldiers coming into their homes, taking their newborn sons from their arms, and killing them.
Imagine this family. Amram and Jochebed have two other children. Based on how easily people today are convinced that two children are enough there is no reason to believe that this type of conversation wasn’t happening in Egypt. Abortion and infanticide are ancient practices. It was another mouth to feed, after all. The government knows best, right? We need to do what’s best for the greater good. Over population is an issue.
In the midst of all that swirling, chaotic chatter Amram and pregnant Jochebed gathered their children Aaron and Miriam, and developed a family plan. Mother would stay inside. Miriam would fetch the water. Aaron would go with his father to work and help earn extra to feed this new infant. And maybe it would be a girl, and the soldiers would leave them alone. But Jochebed chose her midwives carefully. Shiphrah and Puah were known to be God Followers and protected the lives of little boys (Exodus 1:17). The midwives had an edict from Pharaoh’s to kill them at birth. Pharaoh became aware that the midwives were not obeying him so he ordered all the people in Egypt to unite and throw newborn Hebrew baby boys into the Nile River. (Exodus 1:22)
When Moses was born a son, the family plan continued. Hebrews 11:23 says that Amram and Jochebed were not afraid of the king’s orders. They hid Moses. But at some point a child cries, a neighbor hears. They didn’t need fancy contact tracing features on their cellphones, or chip implants to see who had obeyed and who hadn’t. All it takes is one snake in the grass who sees a promotion in reporting on a neighbor. A jealousy, a grudge, or even being a stickler for obeying orders, whatever the cost.
Jochebed had walked by faith this far. Every time she nursed her son, she sensed the Lord was with her, and that she was doing what God had called her to do. We all know when we are walking in that Peace that passes understanding… or when we have stepped outside of it, and need to ask the Lord to speak to us and help us repent, so that we can come back into the center of His Will. Once again, there was a family conference. This time Miriam stepped up to the plate. She had been tutored by God-fearing parents. She was ready to fight for the life of her little brother. No narcissistic, scrolling, indifference for this one. She stepped forward like a precursor to Joan of Arc, willing to take the wrath of Pharaoh to protect her brother.
Interesting how God looks for that little spark in us, and then He blows with Holy Spirit, and a testimony is born. I’ve been on the Nile. This is no little stream. Any baby boy who had been thrown in this river already was quickly swept away to his death, by water and crocodiles. Amram and Jochebed essentially obey Pharaoh. Moses was placed in the Nile. But he was provided with an ark, a little boat, made carefully and lovingly. And a guardian, his sister, who kept him in the rushes at the edge of the water.
I rather think that Jochebed and Miriam stationed themselves near the place that the Pharaoh’s daughter normally bathed, because Goshen wasn’t near to the Pharaoh’s palace. Goshen would have been repulsive because it was inhabited by them Hebrews. Imagine this mother and daughter traveling by night to find a spot where they would step into their bold plan. Miriam would wait for the daughter of the Pharaoh to come out and bathe, and then gently push the little ark, carrying her brother into the vicinity. This princess lived in luxury. She knew the edicts, but they didn’t touch her. The Hebrews had a strange God and looked different than her people. Besides, she was busy. There were parties, sororities, expectations, orgies, and social obligations only she could fulfill.
Moses floating into her world was a God ordained, God directed, God planned surprise. The timing was perfect. The rest is history. Miriam innocently stepped out and offered to find a nurse for the child when the princess had compassion on him. Not only did the princess benevolently pay Jochebed to nurse the child, she adopted him when he was weaned. Moses went to the palace knowing who he was, what his story was, and who his people were. The same courage that had led his parents to obey God was bestowed upon him.
Praying, godly parents make a difference. Children raised in that atmosphere have something to build with and are better equipped to make wise choices. They may not always get it right the first time. Moses didn’t either. When he was grown he attempted to fulfill his Call in his own strength and killed an Egyptian. When he was found out, he ran away until he was ready to let God lead him.
What children are you raising? What parent’s shoulders are you building on? What mistake are you running from that you could repent of? What burning bush do you need to turn aside and listen to today?