Dandelion Bible in a Year | Women & Men Thematic Reading Plan

Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 21

Exodus 1:15-2:10: Jochebed, Protecting Her Child in Crisis

Day 21 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read Exodus 1:15-2:10 and reflect on Jochebed, the mother of Moses, who protected her child in a time of danger. Through the courage of the Hebrew midwives, the faith of Jochebed, the watchfulness of Miriam, and the compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter, this devotional helps women learn to fear God more than people and trust Him with what is most precious.

🌸 Dear Sister, welcome to Day 21 of our reading journey 🌸

Some kinds of faith are not revealed in peaceful surroundings, but in danger, pressure, and moments when there seems to be no safe way forward.

The opening of Exodus is not a gentle family story. It begins in a dark and threatening time. The children of Israel were suffering in Egypt. Pharaoh feared their growing number, so he oppressed them with hard labor and later commanded that every Hebrew baby boy be killed. In such a cruel season, the birth of a child brought not only joy, but also great danger.

Yet in this crisis, several women stepped forward. The midwives feared God and refused to kill the baby boys as the king commanded. Jochebed hid her child for three months. Miriam stood at a distance and watched. Pharaoh’s daughter saw the crying baby and had compassion on him. The story of God’s deliverance began to unfold through the choices of women who feared God, protected life, watched carefully, and showed mercy.

Today, we especially reflect on Jochebed. She was not a woman in the palace. She had no army, no political power, and no control over Pharaoh’s decree. She was a mother trying to protect her child under terrifying pressure. Yet her faith, courage, and wisdom were used by God to preserve the life of Moses.

JANUARY 21 / Day 21

Jochebed: Protecting Her Child in Crisis

📖 Exodus 1:15-2:10

A Minute of Grace

Exodus Chapter 1 tells us that the children of Israel increased greatly in Egypt, and Pharaoh became afraid. First, he oppressed them with forced labor. Then he commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill every newborn Hebrew boy. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded. Their highest obedience was not to the most powerful ruler on earth, but to the God of heaven.

In Exodus Chapter 2, a child is born into the house of Levi. Later we learn that this child is Moses, and that his mother is Jochebed. Scripture tells us that when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him for three months. But when he could no longer be hidden, she took an ark of bulrushes, covered it with slime and pitch, placed the child inside, and laid it among the flags by the river’s brink.

This is not a story of a mother letting go easily. It is the story of a mother who, when there seemed to be no way left, placed the child she loved into God’s hands. Jochebed could not control the Nile River. She could not control Pharaoh’s decree. She could not control what would happen next. But she did what she could to protect her child, and when she could no longer hide him, she entrusted him to God’s care.

God’s providence is beautiful. The child did not fall into death, but was found by Pharaoh’s daughter. Miriam wisely offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse him. Jochebed was brought back and allowed to nurse her own child. Pharaoh intended to destroy the Hebrew baby boys, but God arranged for the future deliverer of Israel to be raised within Pharaoh’s own household.

Today’s theme, “Jochebed: Protecting Her Child in Crisis,” reminds us that fearing God does not always lead us into a life without danger. But it does teach us whom to fear, whom to obey, and to whom we can entrust what is most precious. Jochebed’s faith was not a faith without tears. It was faith that still chose to trust God through tears.

Whispers for the Heart

1 The Hebrew midwives feared God and refused to obey Pharaoh’s command to kill the baby boys. Are you facing pressures today that make you struggle between pleasing people, fearing people, and obeying God? In your family, workplace, school, society, or relationships, where are you most tempted to compromise because of the fear of others?

2 Jochebed hid her child for three months and did all she could to protect Moses. Is there something God has entrusted to you that needs to be guarded with faith? It may be a child, a relationship, a spiritual calling, a young believer, a wounded soul, or your own faith. How are you protecting what God has placed in your care?

3 When Jochebed could no longer hide the child, she placed him in the ark of bulrushes and laid him by the river. Is there something in your life that you can no longer control and must now entrust to God? Are you willing to acknowledge your limits and believe that God can continue to watch over what you cannot hold?

As you read Exodus 1:15-2:10 today, notice the choices these women made in a dark time: the midwives feared God, Jochebed protected her child, Miriam watched over her brother, and Pharaoh’s daughter showed compassion. God often works through people who appear weak in the eyes of the world to resist the powers of death, preserve life, and unfold His plan of redemption.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your fears, pressures, children, family concerns, responsibilities, and the things you cannot control before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

Today's Grace · Morning Dew 🕊️

“3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.”

— Exodus 2:3

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🪕 Response Hymn: The Lord Will Provide

Exodus 1:15-2:10 (KJV)

15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

2 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.

4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.

7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.

9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it.

10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

A Quiet Moment of Prayer

✨ Thank you for walking through today’s Scripture with us, dear sister.

Exodus 1:15-2:10 shows us that in a time filled with oppression, fear, and a command of death, God used the fear, courage, wisdom, and compassion of several women to preserve the life of Moses. Now, let us bring our fears in crisis, our concerns for children and family, our helplessness about the future, and our desire to fear God before the Lord in prayer.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Fearing God in Crisis and Guarding the Lives Entrusted to Us

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Fearing God More Than People

Father, thank You for reminding me through the Hebrew midwives that true faith is often revealed under pressure. They faced the command of the king of Egypt, a command backed by power, danger, and possible punishment. Yet they chose to fear You and did not obey the king’s order to kill the children.

Lord, give me a heart that fears You. So often I fear people’s opinions, fear losing relationships, fear being misunderstood, fear standing apart from the crowd, and fear the cost of obeying truth. Help me not to lose spiritual discernment under pressure. Teach me that human power, no matter how great, is still under Your sovereignty, and human voices, no matter how loud, must never replace Your Word. In my home, workplace, church, and daily life, help me learn to ask first, “What pleases You?” instead of only asking, “What will people think of me?” Amen.

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Learning to Entrust What Is Most Precious to God

Father, when Jochebed could no longer hide her child, she faced a deeply painful moment: she placed him in an ark of bulrushes and laid him by the river. That was not an easy release. It was an entrusting with tears. Lord, I confess that there are many things I do not want to release: my children’s future, my family’s safety, the direction of relationships, the outcome of ministry, and the people and things I treasure most.

Teach me to discern what I am called to carry faithfully and what I must entrust to You. Help me not to confuse surrender with giving up, and not to mistake control for love. After I have done what I can, teach me to place the outcome in Your hands. You love those I love even more than I do, and You know their path better than I can. In the places I cannot see, touch, or control, continue to work, protect, guide, and accomplish Your will. Amen.

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Interceding for Sisters

Father, I also pray for the sisters around me who are burdened for their children, families, and the next generation. Some are worried about their children’s faith. Some are concerned about their health, learning, emotions, and future. Some are trying to protect their families in difficult social environments. Some feel helpless under the weight of marriage struggles, single parenting, immigration, financial pressure, or parent-child conflict.

Lord, comfort them personally. Let them know that You see their tears, remember their watchful love, and do not overlook their hidden faithfulness. Give them wisdom, courage, patience, and spiritual companions. Help us support one another, not dismissing a mother’s weariness or judging another family’s situation, but strengthening one another through prayer, presence, and practical care. Amen.

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Praying for Children and Families in Crisis

Compassionate God, I also pray for children and families around the world who are living in crisis. I pray for children in war, abandoned infants, families in poverty, children suffering violence and exploitation, mothers forced to flee, and the next generation growing up under fear. This world still contains darkness like the time of Moses: the powerful harm the weak, systems crush families, and fear threatens life.

Lord, have mercy. Raise up people who fear You—people like the midwives who protect life, like Jochebed who guard courageously, like Miriam who watch carefully, and like Pharaoh’s daughter who extend compassion. Protect vulnerable children. Strengthen parents in crisis. Make the Church a place that defends life, welcomes the weak, and supports families. May Your justice come, may Your mercy cover, and may more children be preserved in danger, nurtured in love, and guided into Your purposes. Amen.

🪕 Response Hymn: The Lord Will Provide

💡 Closing Thought · Placing the Child in God’s Hands

After reading Exodus 1:15-2:10, we see a small light shining in a dark time. Pharaoh used commands to produce death, but several women used reverence, wisdom, courage, and compassion to protect life. Jochebed did not have the power to control everything, but she was faithful within what she could do. When she could no longer hide Moses, she placed him in the ark of bulrushes—and placed what was most precious into God’s hands.

As we close this page and return to real life, perhaps you are worried about your children, burdened for your family, anxious about the future, or facing pressure from people and wondering how to hold fast to faith in the midst of fear. Remember this: fearing God does not mean you never feel afraid. It means that even in fear, you choose to give God the highest place.

May today’s Scripture remind you that you do not have to control everything in order to be faithful. You are called to be faithful in the place God has entrusted to you today. May God give you courage in crisis, reverence under pressure, and surrender when you cannot control the outcome. May the people you love, the lives you protect, and the future you worry about be kept in God’s hands, guarded by His care, and guided toward His good purposes.

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