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The Providence of God

By Susie Frederick

The Old Testament is full of examples about God’s dealings with men and women of faith. We are instructed in the New Testament to learn from their examples (Romans 15:4). Let us now learn from the faith of Jochebed.

Jochebed had faith in God’s providence. She knew that God would prepare and provide for the faithful. Jochebed was the mother of Moses, who led the Israelite nation out of bondage in Egypt (Exodus 6:20). At the time of Moses’ birth, there was a terrible law in effect: Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt) had ordered that all male Israelite babies be thrown into the river (Exodus 1:22). But Moses’ mother hid him from the Egyptians for three months in her home. Then, when she could no longer hide him there, she hid him at the edge of the river in a basket. When Pharaoh’s daughter went to the river to bathe, she found Moses there. Seeing the baby and hearing him cry, she felt compassion for him (Exodus 2:6). From that time until he grew to be an adult, Moses was under the protection of Pharaoh’s daughter. Pharaoh’s men dared not harm Moses. We learn in Hebrews 11:23 that it was the faith of Moses’ parents that caused them to hide him. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” They believed that God would take care of him.

Christians today can depend on God’s providence. His Son Jesus tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). In previous verses, He explains what “things” He is talking about. He says we should not worry about food, drink, or clothing; God knows our needs, and will take care of them. Sometimes terrible things may happen to us; but God knows how to make good come out of them. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Notice that in both of these scriptures, God expects something from us. If we seek the kingdom of God, and are part of the “called out” (the church), then we can have faith in His providence for us and for our families.

The example of Jochebed teaches women of today to trust in God’s providence.