When times are tough...

Numbers 26:59
59 The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister.

Exodus 1:22-2:10
22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, r“Every son that is born to the Hebrews1 you shall cast into sthe Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
The Birth of Moses

2 Now a tman from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son, and uwhen she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes1 and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the vreeds by the river bank. 4 And whis sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. 5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became xher son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I ydrew him out of the water.”2

Times are tough?  The time was lethal to all Jewish newborn boys!  I cannot imagine Jochebed's state of mind. Knowing when she gave birth to Moses, that the Egyptians wanted every male child dead and that as long as he was alive her whole household was in danger. Still she kept him for three months before devising a plan.  I do not believe she randomly decided to put Moses in a basket and then put in the river. Why? She coated the basket in tar so it wouldn't sink. She had her daughter put it in a specific place. It doesn't say she knew Pharaoh's daughter  would bathe there. However, knowing that this was HER baby, I would guess she did her homework!  

So, then she waits.  Oh my!  The faith this woman had. She put Moses in a basket and waited...and then?  Her faith and trust in God was rewarded several times over. Not only was Moses found and taken in, but they asked her to nurse him, AND paid her to do it AND then raised Moses in the Pharaoh's palace with all the education and safety a child could ask for. Sure there were things going on that were not according to God's will, but He was watching out for Moses!

So, because Jochebed's strength through her faith (and God's will), Moses is raised up to lead Israel through the great Exodus! Wow!  What plans God has for us.  Too bad we don't know what they are!  Too bad we think we know better and make our own choices!  Too bad for us!  God has a wonderful plan for us, and if we follow HIS plan, things can really happen that we could never imagine!  Just look at Moses!  Wow!