Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-10
By REV. HUGE I. sTEYENsoN..

4 - II
BY REV. HUGH T, STEVENSON.
| During the dark days Of the Egyp-
tian oppression Of Israel the family
of Amram ana Jochebed were called
up to face their, duty. The courts
had issued orders requiring that the
| parents should cast into the Mile the
body of every new born son. God
had honored their home by present.
ing unto these two religious de-
scendants of Levi a son. The beau
| tiful child appealed to them. He was
a gift of God for them to rear around
their family table for His glory. His
beauty and disposition aided them
to decide that they must follow the
natural laws of the parent and try
to save his life. Possibly. they may
have thought that in him their, ma
tion would find a savior.
Under ordinary conditions, the
birth of q son would have brought
great Joy The reigning Pharaoh
had found out that his initial effort
to crush and control the Israelites by
oppressive measures was worth.
less. He adopted the drastic law
calling for the parents to violate the
laws of parenthood by requiring
them to destroy the sons, who usu-
ally augmented and helped enlarge
the tribe by staying with their own
people. while the girl would marry
into another tribe. He saw how he
could force them ito become the
wives of his subjects II he could cur.
tail the constant increase of the
number OF men among the Israelites.
It was at this time that Moses was
born.
The presence of that beautiful
child was kept a family secret for
three months. Miriam and Aaron
had kept 1t, knowing the danger that
would come upon their young baby
brother IL the authorities should ever
learn of his presence. In their fam
lily conferences. they had considered
what they ought to do. They sought
Divine guidance in prayer for inspi-
ration as to how they could save
the infants life. They decided to
cast him into the Nile in accordance
with the requirements of the law,
but they hoped to save his life by
making for him "teb, or floating
ark, OF CANA, or papyrus reeds.
which grew in abundance by the
river to a height of is feet. These
reeds are not found today along The
Nile in fulfillment of the prophecies
found in the Scripture.
Saved and Adopted BY Royalty.
It took time to gather and prepare
this little caslet. so that 1t would be
absolutely waterproof After q long
season Of prayer, they placed the baby.
wrapped up in comfortable clothing,
In the floating ark. They left the in
FAINT with heavy hearts. but confident
that God would save him. They placed
Miriam on guard to watch over the
casket floating upon the Nile. While
Pharaoh was exercising all his power
to destroy the Jewish people, God was
planning to train in the royal courts
of Egypt one who would save the
Israelites. The daughter OF Pharaoh
came down to battle In the waters Of
the Nile, that they believed possessed
fructifying and healing properties. she
noticed the floating ark. Her cur1os-
ity caused her to command one OF her
maids to fetch 1t; and when y was
opened she was thrilled by discover
inr 4 Hebrew child that she decided
10 adopt as her own. According to
some authorities. this would have
given Moses the right to bAcome the
ruler OF the land before the sons OF
Pharaoh, then exercising authority.
Miriam drew near and, hearing the
princess call him her "sonnie" and
give the baby an Egyptian name.
although she new that he belonged to
the Hebrews. tactfuliy offered to Sc
cure a nurse from among the Hebrew
women for the infant II the princess
wished one. The intuitive mind OF
the Egyptian princess saw through
the actions of Miriam and Jocnepeu:
but in her love for the child. that had
won her heart, she committed the
work of nursing Moses to Jochebed.
whose heart rejoiced in the providen-
tial way In which God answered her
prayer. saved her son and established
him among the coming leaders OF the
Egyptian nation.
Mothers Training.
Our greatest teachers have always
been our mothers. Money could never
have secured for Moses the training
that he received around his mother
knee. The princess had PROMISED 70
nav her. wages for nursing her own
son. Jochebed thanked God that He
had saved her boy from q Watery
grave. She rejoiced that in the proVi-
dence of God she was given the privl-
lege of developing her son In the
truths Of their faith. In seeking 70
At him for his LIES work Jochebed
realized that the first place IN ms
Education had to be given to his spir-
itual life. Being precedes service.
when Moses was grown UP ne
refused to be called the son OF
Pharaoi's daughter, choosing raAher
to share ill.treatment with the people
Of God than to enjoy the pleasures o.
sin for season., because In tne tIai =.
inc around his mothers knee ana IN
HE fathers home he had learned 70
love God and his fellow countrymen.
Modern students Of child nature tell
ia that the most lasting Impressions
coma from our home life and training
before we are years or age. AZ
vof,np America Is failing today TO
show the right attitude toward GOO,
their narents. the church and law.
the fault lies not with them, but Witn
the oyerindulging parents, VINO nave
failed to impress by their own nves
the lessons Of religion and morality
upon their children.
Every great man has had q, greaI
mother. who has nodded the nLS -
| her son. Moses was no exception.
| Jochebed impressed her religious
ideals upon him. She inspired MIN
with the desire to be the man Goo
wanted him to be and to fulnH the
mission that He had ordained Tor MIN.
She filled his soul with the ambition
In he Of service to his oppressed coun-
trymen. She fixed his faith, just as
| the writer's sainted mother DID MS.
| II win be the thirty-third anniversary
| of his ordination when this lesson Is
studied In our Bible schools. Looking
back upon his career. ne recognizes
the influence Of the saipte0 motneI
s.rTn dedicated him To- the ministry
| SS.. - no 3 horn II a no excep.