“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” —Hebrews 11:23
Does obedience matter when no one even knows or notices?
Every day we make choices in the unseen moments of parenting or marriage, and these choices do make a difference. Jochebed is a great example.
She doesn’t get many verses in Scripture, but the weight of her faith is undeniable.
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, lived in a time when every Hebrew baby boy was ordered to be killed. And yet, in the midst of this cultural crisis, she chose to hide her son. For three months, she protected Moses until she could no longer keep him safe. And then… she let him go. Literally. Into a basket. Into a river. Into God’s hands.
Her act of surrender wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a bold move of faith.
She didn’t know how the story would unfold, but she trusted the Author. And in a beautiful twist of grace, the very woman who let her son go was invited to nurse and nurture him again, this time under the protection of Pharaoh’s palace.
As I reflected on Jochebed’s story, I was struck by how her example speaks into marriage and family today. It was the focus of the Mother’s Day message this past Sunday. Sometimes, our greatest acts of faith aren’t loud or flashy. They’re quiet decisions in the day-to-day—to trust God, to release control, to do what’s right even when we don’t see the outcome.
Jochebed’s faith was fearless in the face of very uncertain circumstances—courageously choosing to obey God rather than man. Without the benefit of the latest social media outlining what other Hebrew moms were doing in the midst of Pharaoh’s edict, she trusted God. Quietly, calculated, boldly, and sacrificially, Jochebed took action. She wove a basket of hope, placed her precious son inside, and released him into the river—entrusting his life to the God who gave him.
Her obedience wasn’t loud, but it was deeply rooted in trust.
Her faith became the launchpad for one of the greatest deliverers in Scripture, reminding us that even the quietest acts of faith can echo for generations.
Let’s be encouraged by Jochebed’s courage. Let’s parent, love, lead, and serve from a place of trust, not fear. And let’s believe that God can take our small, faithful steps and write stories beyond what we can imagine.
Reflection Question:
Where might God be calling you to trust Him more fully—in your marriage, with your kids, or in your own heart?
