Our special day for the Mother's has arrived. Even if some school in N.Y. and maybe other places refuse to honor our Mothers and Fathers of a normal relationship and marriage, I will!!!
I am sure that everyone enjoyed the breakfast this morning. I want to thank Bro. Ewuell and Hazel H. for furnishing the great breakfast and hour of fellowship for all of our precious mothers. Men, you sure did look good serving your wives.
Do you remember the bird story I told a few years ago, about a very wealthy son who decided to do something very special for his mother on Mother's Day. The son went to a pet shop and found a bird that could whistle "Amazing Grace." The only problem was that the bird cost $15,000:00. Well, he had the money and decided to go ahead and purchase the bird and have it shipped to his mother for Mother's Day.
Well, Mother's Day came and he called her to see how she liked the bird. After getting her on the telephone he said, "Mother, how did you like the bird I sent you?" She said, "Son, it was delicious."
Today we will look at a Godly mother that faced a lot more adversity than our precious mother's do in this wicked hour we live in. We turn our attention to Jochebed the wife of Amram and mother of Moses.
1. Jochebed's Danger
Exodus 1:15 And the king of Egypt
spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was
Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: [16] And
he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women,
and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill
him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. The
decision to slaughter all the male babies was made because the
Pharaoh was advised about the threat of a population growth of
the Israelites, who soon could outnumber the Egyptians. So in
order to reduce the military threat, Pharaoh commanded every male
baby to be "cast into the river, and every daughter you shall
save alive." But thank God for those two Hebrew midwives
who feared God more than they feared the government.
Amram and Jochebed, along with all of the Israelites which lived their life in danger from the storms outside. When the trouble stays on the outside, that will draw members closer together in any family. Whether it is our immediate family or fellowship family. Now, in facing all of the harsh treatment from the world, this Godly couple are soon to have an addition to their family.
A. Pro-Life
Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. Try to run as many PS A's for Dr. Wilke and pro-life, it is a thrill to read how these Godly mid wives in our context were active members of the pro-life movement. We know that it was wrong for Pharaoh to act in this murderous way, moreover, it is wrong for our government to permit and enforce the law that is claiming millions of our babies today.No wonder mercy killings are here and will be in full growth in a few short years. We are seeing the generation of babies grow up since the Roe versus Wade act, who are saying in their votes and attitudes, you killed our brothers and sisters, now we will have mercy killings and kill you.
Abortion is wrong, partial birth abortion is wrong and sadistic!!!!!!!!!!
B. Partial Birth
Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. While this message is not about abortion, however, I point out that the life of the infant is recognized in their mother's womb. The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as denoting the whole moral constitution of man-kind.Partial birth abortion is performed from the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy up till the time of delivery. It normally involves the delivery of an intact baby feet first until only the head is left in the birth canal. The doctor pierces the base of the baby's skull with surgical scissors, then inserts a catheter into the opening and suctions out the brain. The collapse of the skull enables easier removal of the child. My personal studies have led me to believe that abortion for well over 99% of the cases are abortion of convenience. To be parents are sacrificing their unborn child on the altar of self, pleasure and irresponsibility.
Jochebed was not about to see her son offered up on the altar of pleasure or some other lustful or fearful idol. Like Godly mother's today, trying to rescue their children from the jaws of our crocodile infested society!
2. Jochebed's Decision
Exodus 2:1-2 And there went a
man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
[2] And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw
him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. The
man was Amram (Exodus 6:20),
a grandson of Levi. His wife was Jochebed. This lets us know that
they were a very religious family, which have to have an influence
on the selection of God to choose this family for Moses to be
born. In knowing that Jochebed and Amram would protect a proper
child to be the promised deliverer for the Children of God, who
were in hard bondage.
Let me try to point out a few things to you young mothers and soon to be mothers. The best thing you can do for your children in protecting your family from a crocodile infested society is to keep your family in the House of God. In addition, when the preacher might seem to get a little rough, don't go home and have roasted preacher in front of your children. Receive the message and apply it and go on for the Glory of God. By doing so, you are helping to build an ark that your family can treasure a refuge from deluge outside.
A. The Ark Of Safety
Exodus 2:3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. Can you imagine trying to hide a baby for three months? Well, when baby Moses turned three months old, Jochebed could no longer hide him!B. The Affection Of A Sister
Exodus 2:4-6 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
[5] And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. [6] And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. In context this occasion is thought to have been a religious ceremony which the royal family opened by bathing in the sacred stream. Sacredness was attached to those portions of the Nile which flowed near the temples. Where the daughter of Pharaoh bathed was no doubt fenced off as a protection from the crocodiles.Yet baby Moses in the ark of safety and with an effectuate sister watching, while he was in the infested river of crocodiles was just as safe as Pharaoh's daughter.
I believe that I'm talking to some mothers here today who want your children delivered from this crocodile infested, queer loving, drug taking society. You want your children to grow up to be men and women of God! Can I point out once again, that we are very fortunate to have the trained professional, some members of the family of God, that we have at this Church. God approved, state certified to help you train up your children in the right way. People who are not afraid to put God first and help you to place the fear and faith of God in your Child.
I tell you again, I am not against any prison ministry, however, doesn't it make good sense to regenerate before you have to reform.
3. Jochebed's Delight
Exodus 2:7 Then said his sister
to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of
the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? Church,
here we read about a Sovereign God who blesses the family institution
and rewards faith. We see here that, God blessed Jochebed by allowing
her to take care of her son in his formative years. I have read
somewhere, that a child learns most of what they know by the ages
four or five. Some of you school teachers can correct me if I
am wrong.
A. Nursing
Exodus 2:8-9 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. [9] And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. Unreal, isn't it? Jochebed getting paid to raise her own child. While you precious mother might not get paid in dollars, or benefits here. By your being a true Godly mother of the faith, there will be benefits to be reaped later on and that are out of this world.B. Nurturing
Exodus 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. Jochebed knew what she must do and what was true for Jochebed is true for every young mother listening to my voice! You have just a few years to raise your child in the admonition of the Lord. The old cliche is really true, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!C. Needing
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. [24] By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; [25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; [26] Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. [27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. The parents of Moses had a faith that obeyed God in concerning the sacredness of life. They loved their child, yes, but they also loved God. It was their love for both their son and God that made them do what they did.In this case we find faith being an offspring of love, because we find Moses being a man of faith, it was his parents that instilled that faith in him at an early age. A Godly father named Amram and a Godly mother named Jochebed who laid a solid foundation in the life of their son that all the demons of Hell couldn't destroy.
Why Moses Called By God
The following beautiful tradition about Moses is handed down to posterity: He led the flock of his father-in-law (Exodus 3:1).
One day while he was contemplating his flock in the desert, he saw a lamb leave the herd, and run further and further away. The tender shepherd not only followed it with his eyes, but went after it. The lamb quickened his step, hopped over hill, sprang over ditches, hastening through valley and plain; the shepherd inwardly followed its track.
At last the lamb stopped by a spring at which it eagerly quenched its thirst. Moses hastened to the spot, looked sadly at the drinking lamb, and said:
“It was thirst, then, my poor beast, which tormented thee, and drove thee from me, and I didn't understand; now thou are faint and weary from the long, hard way, thy powers are exhausted; how then could thou return to thy comrades?”
After the lamb had quenched his thirst and seemed undecided what course to take Moses lifted it to his shoulder, and, bending under the heavy burden, strode back to the flock. Then he heard the voice of God calling to him, saying:
“Thou hast a tender heart for my creatures, thou are a kind, gentle shepherd to the flocks of man—thou art now called to feed the flocks of God.”
—Jewish Messenger
Roger Pickett
105 Pickett St.
Jonesville, N.C. 28642