Happy Mother’s Day to all the women who have a mother’s heart for children. We are given many examples in the Bible of godly mothers who set beautiful examples for us to follow. Today, I would like to briefly look at three examples — three different types of mothers — from Exodus 1–2.
This may seem like a strange name to many of us, but it is actually a beautiful name that means “The glory of Yahweh” or “Jehovah is glorious.” Keep in mind that this is before God introduced Himself to Moses as Yahweh (Jehovah). In Exodus 1:22–2:9, Moses’ mother’s name is not mentioned, but Exodus 6:20 and Numbers 26:59 identify her as Jochebed.
Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, conceived a beautiful baby boy and hid him for three months. Her natural motherly instincts to protect her child kicked in. We are told, “But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him” (Exodus 2:3–4).
Here we learn not only how Jochebed protected her son but also that she had an older daughter, Miriam, who took responsibility for watching over her baby brother. As she watched from a distance, “the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrews’ children.’”
Miriam, seeing all this, took initiative and approached with a ready-made solution: “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” After being instructed to go, she brought her mother, Jochebed, to nurse her own child for Pharaoh’s daughter.
Jochebed also raised another son named Aaron. He is called a prophet in Exodus 7:1 and became Moses’ mouthpiece before Pharaoh (Exodus 4:14). He was consecrated as the first Old Testament priest.
Jochebed’s son Moses would one day become the lawgiver, the leader, and deliverer of Israel. What an amazing mother! She was courageous and creative in fulfilling her calling, and we see the impact she made on all three of her children.
In Exodus 2:10 we read, “And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, ‘Because I drew him out of the water.’” Her name is not given in Scripture, but historians suggest she may have been Hatshepsut, the Egyptian princess. Known for her strong personality and, reportedly, a rebellious streak, this may explain why she defied her father’s command.
Through her actions, we read of what may be the first international adoption. After this event, she disappears from the pages of Scripture.
Did you know that every two minutes, another child enters the foster care system in the United States? On any given day, over 368,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system. Approximately 108,877 children were awaiting adoption in foster care in 2022 alone.
These two midwives appear in Exodus 1:15–21. They refused to kill the babies delivered by the Hebrew women, even though this put them in direct disobedience to Pharaoh’s decree. They feared God and stepped in to protect the lives of these children.
Shiphrah’s name means “beautiful,” and Puah’s name means “glitter” or “brilliance.” How beautiful it is to see those who invest in the lives of others — who step in and shine in a young person’s life! This is what it means to be a mother by advocacy.
Whether we speak of mothers by birth, adoption, or advocacy, it is important to realize that all mothers — and all women who love children — share a God-given love and instinct to care for those entrusted to them. This flows from the heart of God because this very nature is seen in God Himself.
In Deuteronomy 32:11, God is described “as an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings.” In Psalm 22:9–10, He is concerned for His people like a midwife caring for the children she delivers. Isaiah says He never forgets His children, just as a nursing mother will not forget her baby (Isaiah 49:15). In Isaiah 66:13, He is described as one who comforts His people like a nursing mother. Hosea portrays Him as a mother bear who experiences rage when robbed of her cubs.
The Lord Jesus said of Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).
All of these verses help us see that motherhood reflects the nature and character of God — who is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (always present).
Why is this important? Sometimes we hear Mother’s Day messages that set the bar so high that every mother feels inadequate and insufficient for the task. But because motherhood is one of the characteristics that God likens Himself to, this takes the pressure off mothers to be perfect or superhuman.
Dear mothers, as you go from day to day seeking to be the best mom you can be, realize that you are not alone. You don’t have to be perfect — He is, and you don’t have to be! You simply need to love the child entrusted to you and rely on the One who sees you, knows your situation, and is able to guide and strengthen you.