THE FAITH

OF TWO

LITTLE KNOWN

PEOPLE.......Amram and Jochebed (the parents of Moses)

Exodus 2:1-10

Hebrews 11:23

Introduction:

1.We want to study about the faith of the parents of Moses.  We include both for the bible says “by faith the parents hid”.   Most when they think of this story, merely think of the Mother, but this would not be correct.  You must include the father, for the Holy Spirit includes him.  I have no doubt that he was the plainer and innovator of the little boat that carried the baby down the river.  

2. Notice how the scriptures treat them:

a. Amram is mentioned 14 times in genealogical tables....and in no other way.  He is referred to twice as the husband of Jochebed...and four times as the father of Moses and Aaron.  The mother is mentioned twice, both times as the wife of Amram.  

3. Who are these people?  They are nothing more than common slaves, no outstanding personalities.  They are two people, son and daughter by succession of Levi....and they had joined their lives together, plus they were in slavery. 

4. The conditions of their life:  Joseph had been dead 64 years....and they had another Pharaoh who hated the children of Israel.  The people had begun to multiply and thus a decree went out to take every Hebrew male born and fling it into the river Nile.  This would keep them from becoming a National Order. 

SUBLIME FAITH IN ITS SIMPLEST MANIFESTATION:

1. This is what obsesses me personally.  These two hidden, unknown people, two mere slaves, but the writer of Hebrews says their actions were those “of faith.” 

2. they exhibited two aspects of faith:

a. first, “He that cometh to God must believe that He is.”  [you start here] they believed that Jehovah was an over ruling God.

b. second, “He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  

3. Application: Thus, they made the little ark, prepared it, placed it in the river, sent the sister of Moses down the river to follow the ark....SIMPLE FOLK, BUT SUBLIME FAITH.

THE FOUR ELEMENTS IN THEIR FAITH:

A. Listing of the Elements:

1. Faith inspiring HOPE.

2. Faith creating COURAGE.

3. Faith acting RATIONALLY.

4. Faith Unconsciously Cooperating with the PURPOSES OF GOD.  

B. Study of the four Elements.

1. FAITH INSPIRING HOPE:

a. In spite of all the apparent hopelessness, GOD REMAINED.  Their action was a VENTURE MADE UPON GOD.  They had a faith in God that in turn INSPIRED HOPE...and the hope was that the little life may be spared.  

b. Please note: IT WAS FAITH IN THE PRESENCE OF APPARENTLY THE MOST HOPELESS CIRCUMSTANCES. 

c. observation:  It is rather strange but have you noticed that with most of us we do not have a faith THAT INSPIRES HOPE....We are not so close to Him....that our relationship to Him inspires real hope.   

2. FAITH CREATING COURAGE:

a. Note what the writer says, “they were not afraid of the King’s commandment.”

b. They realized and believed: that there was an authority and power higher than that of Pharaoh.  Pharaoh said to “kill this boy” but in faith they were believing and thinking in a higher Power and Authority. 

c. Observation: I find that the faith, the relationship of most people in our Lord is NOT inspiring HOPE in their lives and not creating COURAGE.  There is definitely a lacking of Biblical courage with believers.  [main reason we do not witness]  

3. FAITH ACTING RATIONALLY: 

a. What do you Mean? [by acting rationally] Well, look at that ark of bulrushes, daubed with a covering that would keep the water out. It was an act of REASON, carefully PREPARED, look at the sister sent to watch what would happen.  Someone was thinking rationally, carefully.   

1. When the daughter of Pharaoh came and lifted the lid and the baby cried, Miriam at once said....”Shall I find thee a nurse?”   LESSON:  Faith believes in God and does the thing that appeals to the sanctified reason.  It is the same as Cromwell who said, “trust in God and keep your powder dry.”  

b. note the sequence:  they prepared the ark, put the baby in it, closed the lid, and laid it by the river and sent Miriam downstream to follow the ark....and when it was found, Miriam was right there with the perfect request, “shall I find thee a nurse.”   

c. How long did they care for Moses?  most likely until the child reached the age of 12...Weaning was when the child was hanging off the apron of the mother....which was at age 12.  The mother told him the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and of Joseph....thus the child knew that he was a member OF THAT RACE...AN ISRAELITE.  [he got all of this from the mother and father.]

4. FAITH UNCONSCIOUSLY COOPERATING WITH GOD:

a. This was a quality that neither of the parents were aware of. They had no idea that they were “unconsciously cooperating with God.”  

b. What was the human issue of this act?  the CRY OF THE BABY admitted him to the heart of the woman.  She in turn admitted him to the court of Pharaoh.  She in turn educated him....for Stephen in his address said this about Moses, “Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and he was mighty in his words and works.”

c. It was INCUBATED by the parents of Moses. If you would like to know what the Bible says about Moses...this little baby they placed into the bulrushes, then read the following:

a. “The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.”  [can you even imagine such a thing...THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE speaking to Moses “face to face as a man speaketh unto his friends.”]

b. The last chapter of Deut...says “Moses whom the Lord knew face to face.”

LESSONS FROM THE STORY:

1. First, WE SEE THE PRINCIPLE OF FAITH OPERATING....WORKS MIGHTIER ISSUES THAN IT KNOWS. a. Question:  Is the Principle of Faith operating in the case of your children?  You will not be here one day....what will be the result of your training?  

1. Illustration: Many years ago there was a brilliant writer in her young days.  She married and after a number of years she went to see an old college friend, who said to her:  “My dear, we have had no books from you for many years.  I think it is a pity you gave up writing books.”  She replied that she had written two books.  “What are the titles?’’ she asked.  “Ethel and Albert, those are my children.....and now I am trying to write living epistles known and read of all men that they have been with Jesus.”

2. Second, THE PRINCIPLE OF FAITH IS POSSIBLE TO THE LOWLIEST SLAVES.  [ Here we have two people, little know, hidden away in the crowds of slaves....and so much so...that even to this day few people know their names]

3. Third, THE PRINCIPLE OF FAITH MAY ACT IN APPARENTLY TRIVIAL MATTERS AND YET IT MAY BE THE WAY OF BRINGING ABOUT THE HIGHEST GOOD.